Spaghetti Westerns - Your favorites

[T_R_Oglodyte]

My favorites, in order:

1. A Few Dollars More
2. High Plains Drifter
3. (tie) The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly and Once Upon a Time in the West
4. Hang 'Em High and A Fistful of Dollars

That's my list, with due regard for the ambiguity in what is truly a "spaghetti" western. Does it have to be shot in Spain or Italy, or does it simply have to fit the genre?

And I fully acknowledge that the cemetery shootout scene in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly and the opening scene in Once Upon a Time in the West are cinematic masterpieces

 

[Sea Six]

my fav was Outlaw Josie Wales. I'm seeing snips on Facebook lately, I just may use your list to create something in my list of movies to watch. I also like the old Dirty Harry movies. Sad to see how old Clint Eastwood is. I also like Gran Torino.

 

[DrQ]

1. Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo
2. Per qualche dollaro in più
3. The Magnificent Seven (Not a spaghetti western but was a remake of Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai")
4. Hang 'em High (Again, not a spaghetti western)

Ennio Morricone's music makes the first two great. The Ecstasy of Gold is has as much presence as any of the actors in the scene.

 

[Talent312]

The Three Amigos! (1986) - a classic
-- Steve Martin, Chevy Chase & Martin Short
-- Director: John Landis

 

[Brett]

I'll vote for Blazing Saddles

 

[WVBaker]

my fav was Outlaw Josie Wales. I'm seeing snips on Facebook lately, I just may use your list to create something in my list of movies to watch. I also like the old Dirty Harry movies. Sad to see how old Clint Eastwood is. I also like Gran Torino.

We agree without any doubt. It stuns me every time I see Clint now and then watch an episode of "Rawhide".
None compared to Harry Callahan.

"I know what you're thinking. 'Did he fire six shots or only five'? Well to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, i kind of lost track myself. But being that this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well do ya, punk?"

 

[bbodb1]

Speaking of Clint Eastwood movie music, I stumbled across this recently from the Danish National Symphony Orchestra

 

[bbodb1]

..And this:

 

[bbodb1]

...and this:

 

[bbodb1]

I should note I have used all of the above as morning drop off music (back in the days we had school......) along with this little Ennio Morricone attention grabber....

 

[DaveNV]

That's my list, with due regard for the ambiguity in what is truly a "spaghetti" western. Does it have to be shot in Spain or Italy, or does it simply have to fit the genre?

Didn't the term "spaghetti western" start when they started shooting "western" films (implying USA west) in Europe because it was cheaper than filming in the USA? That's the way I remember it, and I think it started after Clint Eastwood's early films became such popular hits. He had three back-to-back movies that fit the genre, where his character was pretty much the same guy all the way through. If so, your definitive list is very complete. The other films named in this thread are certainly watch-worthy, but are they truly "spaghetti" westerns? I don't think so. Some of those were huge-budget Hollywood films. Blazing Saddles ("It's HEDLEY!") has to rank among one of my favorite movies of all time, but it's not a spaghetti western.

Perhaps a better term might be "low budget" or "iconic" western films? If it merely has to fit the genre, then I vote for "Lust in the Dust." Classic cheesy western-ish movie.

Dave

 

[plpgma]

My favorites, in order:

1. A Few Dollars More
2. High Plains Drifter
3. (tie) The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly and Once Upon a Time in the West
4. Hang 'Em High and A Fistful of Dollars

That's my list, with due regard for the ambiguity in what is truly a "spaghetti" western. Does it have to be shot in Spain or Italy, or does it simply have to fit the genre?

And I fully acknowledge that the cemetery shootout scene in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly and the opening scene in Once Upon a Time in the West are cinematic masterpieces

When I saw the title of this post, I immediately thought to myself 'Anything with Clint Eastwood in it'. With that being said, I am happy to see and agree with your top four -- including the tie with "Once Upon..." (re: I'm a big Charles Bronson and Jack Elam fan, too)!

To add one from the humor side of the room -- I also love "Support Your Local Sheriff."

Well Done!

 

[plpgma]

Speaking of Clint Eastwood movie music, I stumbled across this recently from the Danish National Symphony Orchestra

LOVED THIS!!!

 

[pedro47]

A Few Dollars More
Blazing Saddle
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Hang 'Em High

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I should note I have used all of the above as morning drop off music (back in the days we had school......) along with this little Ennio Morricone attention grabber....

That is the theme music from A Few Dollars More, the #1 movie in my list. That pocket watch (actually two of them) and the tune played is significant in the story line.

 

[DrQ]

Didn't the term "spaghetti western" start when they started shooting "western" films (implying USA west) in Europe because it was cheaper than filming in the USA?

Actually, Sergio Leone took a cue from John Sturges and rewrote one of Akira Kurosawa's movies to make A Fistful of Dollars (without permission). The movie was for European consumption (released in Italy '64, released in US 67). He briefly revitalized the western genre in hollywood, which had wound down western movies since the late 50's.

 

[easyrider]

I like them all. Not mentioned so far is the Man with no name movies with Trinity.

Bill

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

When I saw the title of this post, I immediately thought to myself 'Anything with Clint Eastwood in it'. With that being said, I am happy to see and agree with your top four -- including the tie with "Once Upon..." (re: I'm a big Charles Bronson and Jack Elam fan, too)!

To add one from the humor side of the room -- I also love "Support Your Local Sheriff."

Well Done!

Support Your Local Sheriff is also a favorite. I was rewatching it two nights ago.

Re Once Upon a Time in the West. Sergio Leone wrote the part for Clint Eastwood, but Eastwood wanted to move on to doing his own productions, so he turned it down. That was when Bronson was brought on board. Henry Fonda wasn't sure about taking his role, but after playing Tuco in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Eli Wallach encouraged Fonda to take the part - told Fonda he would enjoy it. Claudia Cardinale was spectacular in her role.

The role that I thought was miscast was Jason Robards as Cheyenne. He just wasn't nasty enough. To my mind, the role needed someone who was ruthless enough to be a loathed and wanted criminal, but underneath had a soft spot that eventually shown through. Robards' Cheyenne was basically a nice guy all the way, irritating at worst.

 

[Big Matt]

Your list is my list, but a little out of order. The characters in the Good/Bad/Ugly make that one my favorite. I loved both Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef in this one.

 

[plpgma]

Support Your Local Sheriff is also a favorite. I was rewatching it two nights ago.

Re Once Upon a Time in the West. Sergio Leone wrote the part for Clint Eastwood, but Eastwood wanted to move on to doing his own productions, so he turned it down. That was when Bronson was brought on board. Henry Fonda wasn't sure about taking his role, but after playing Tuco in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Eli Wallach encouraged Fonda to take the part - told Fonda he would enjoy it. Claudia Cardinale was spectacular in her role.

The role that I thought was miscast was Jason Robards as Cheyenne. He just wasn't nasty enough. To my mind, the role needed someone who was ruthless enough to be a loathed and wanted criminal, but underneath had a soft spot that eventually shown through. Robards Cheyenne was basically a nice guy all the way, irritating at worst.

Nice color and background -- Thanks!

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Speaking of Clint Eastwood movie music, I stumbled across this recently from the Danish National Symphony Orchestra

There's also this entertaining version:

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Didn't the term "spaghetti western" start when they started shooting "western" films (implying USA west) in Europe because it was cheaper than filming in the USA? That's the way I remember it, and I think it started after Clint Eastwood's early films became such popular hits. He had three back-to-back movies that fit the genre, where his character was pretty much the same guy all the way through. If so, your definitive list is very complete. The other films named in this thread are certainly watch-worthy, but are they truly "spaghetti" westerns? I don't think so. Some of those were huge-budget Hollywood films. Blazing Saddles ("It's HEDLEY!") has to rank among one of my favorite movies of all time, but it's not a spaghetti western.

Perhaps a better term might be "low budget" or "iconic" western films? If it merely has to fit the genre, then I vote for "Lust in the Dust." Classic cheesy western-ish movie.

Dave

True - but I expanded it geographically by including High Plains Drifter.

To me what pulls it together was the different take or vision of the western movie that was set in motion by Sergio Leone with the three original man with no name Eastwood movies. So while Eastwood moved on, his movies continued in the tradition. Much to John Wayne's displeasure, by the way.

Writing this now, I realize that I should have included Unforgiven in my list.

 

[Ralph Sir Edward]

My top favorite is one everybody seems to have missed.

My Name Is Nobody.

An extremely philosophical movie, while at the same time, a comedy, and a true spaghetti western to boot.

And a wonderful Ennio Morricone soundtrack (which I have on CD.)

If you haven't seen it, you've missed a gem!

Tick...tick....tick. . .

 

[Marathoner]

my fav was Outlaw Josie Wales. I'm seeing snips on Facebook lately, I just may use your list to create something in my list of movies to watch.

I agree with this. Outlaw Josie Wales is excellent and is a better movie than Unforgiven. One of the top Western ever made.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Your list is my list, but a little out of order. The characters in the Good/Bad/Ugly make that one my favorite. I loved both Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef in this one.

After doing Captain Mortimer in A Few Dollars More, van Cleve apparently wanted to do an evil character. So he got cast as Angel Eyes.