Since I’m writing a steampunk western now, I’m in “immerse myself in the genre” mode. I like to watch different films that intersect with what I’m writing. I’m not all that up to date on steampunk movies. I’ve seen a smattering of them, and I like the general vibe of them, but they’re mostly an unknown to me (from what I remember.) Westerns are something a bit better versed in, dating back to watching them all the time as a kid. (One of my favorite college classes was on film adaptations of westerns. That was a fantastic class.)
So I’m up for any and all steampunk movies. (And yes, before you ask, I’ve watched Wild Wild West. Hopefully I end up with something better than that . . .) I mean, I’ve seen steampunk movies, but none are really standing out in my head as movies I’d like to return to again and again. Maybe they’re just eluding me.
When it comes to westerns, I’d love recommendations as well. Here are my top 10 westerns:
- Shane
- Unforgiven
- High Noon
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
- True Grit (Coen Bros adaptation)
- Silverado
- Rio Bravo
- The Magnificent Seven (old version)
- The Searchers
- Tombstone
To get on this list, I have to be able to remember the movie well enough to tell you what it was about, as opposed to all the other westerns I have seen. So I’m looking for something that sets it apart. But more than that, I’m looking for a real western. So Blazing Saddles was out, even though I love the movie. Same for Maverick, honestly. It wasn’t Western enough. Too funny. (Though I’d like this book to have some humor in it.)
I’ve seen many more westerns. (Yes, The Good the Bad and the Ugly), but these are the ones that I’d be most eager to watch again at the moment. Feels like there should be some Eastwood up there, though. Pale Rider? Outlaw Josey Wales? I’m happy to talk Westerns all the time, so it’ll be an interesting process to write one and see what comes out.
In the meantime, what made your top 10 list for westerns? Please share.
For a great overview of another list, check out this one by Cinefix. I love these:
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