Audiences don’t get many westerns nowadays. While cowboy flicks were once a dime a dozen throughout the 20th century, they’ve since become a rare commodity, making it all the more significant when one comes along. The latest to generate buzz is aNetflixfilm calledThe Harder They Fall. Telliing a violently stylized tale of revenge,The Harder They Fallhas impressed numerous viewers so far.
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This success naturally creates a desire for more. Eager fans will likely want another classic shootout or Old West adventure once the credits roll. Thankfully, they have several modern examples to choose from. These gunslinging tales may not be as prominent in recent years, but a handful of worthy contenders have returned from the deserted genre, making a strong case for its triumphant comeback.
10Django Unchained
This will be immediately familiar in terms of its premise, as it’s another film aboutAfrican American men rising above the oppression of the timeand becoming gunslingers. They use their new skills in a quest to kill those who wronged them and rescue their lost loves. It doesn’t take a close observer to see the similarities.
More than that,Django Unchainedalso sports the same stylistic flair, which shouldn’t be surprising given Quentin Tarantino’s penchant for the unexpected. It sports modern music, anachronistic dialogue, and darkly physical comedy. People don’t just get shot and fall down; they fly ten feet back like a ragdoll. Those looking for that contemporary abandon will find it inDjango.
9Badland
Outlaws inThe Harder They Fallwill often hold a lengthy conversation before the shooting starts. This other Netflix gem does the same thing. Granted, some of that is due to the shoestring budget, but it’s equally as effective.
Badlandlives and breathes on its sustained tension, building it to a crescendo at the end of every scene. Unknown actor Kevin Makely sells it beautifully asthe Pinkerton protagonist, and it complements the lack of stylization here. The movie doesn’t have the cartoonish kills ofDjango, but rather plays it straight. It’s blunt and to the point, which arguably makes the tension more satisfying.
8Godless
The Harder They Falllargely focuses on gangs and the conflict between them. The opening credits even include a rundown of each member and where they stand.This miniseriesshowcases the same widespread shootouts that follow such conflict. This is only natural, given the premise of a townful of widows defending themselves froma band of crooks.
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At the center, however, is a young man morphed into a killer by a ruthless outlaw. While not as gruesome, Roy Goode’s indoctrination here is reminiscent of Nat Love’s tragic beginning. As expected, both paths lead back to their creators, setting up a satisfying showdown in each case.
7The Magnificent Seven
This is another one with an obvious connection, asThe Magnificent Sevenalso involves a town under the thumb of bandits. It’s a well-trod tale, especially given it’s a remake of a reimagining ofSeven Samurai.
Antoine Fuqua’s version hangs its hat on those familiar beats andspaghetti western stylings. The good guys are likeable, and the bad guys are despicable. While it doesn’t add much to these elements, it does wield them with panache. Viewers are in for a fairly fun ride as a result. It’s simple, yet effective.
6Deadwood
As the name suggests, this show centers on a town formed by people from all different backgrounds. They often don’t get along, yet they’re nevertheless bound by their common goal of wanting to see their settlement succeed. This is where the series' greatest strength comes out.
What truly elevatesDeadwoodis the writing. The characters speak in period-acurrate prose, punctuated by the odd F-bomb. The exchanges that emerge are shocking, entertaining, and engrossing. Oddly enough, this approach is not unlike the anachronistic speech inThe Harder They Fall. It might be radically different in how it sounds, but both styles brilliantly conveythe vulgarity of the Old West.
53:10 To Yuma
James Mangold’s remake of3:10 to Yumachanges a lot about the original. Namely, it throws in more violence and intensity to hammer home the danger. Thankfully, it keeps the psychological chess game between the downtrodden rancher andthe notorious outlaw. As Dan Evans tries to get Ben Wade to prison in exchange for some much-needed money, the sly gunman constantly tries to psych him out. This creates an ever-present suspense, and eventually forms a grudging respect between the two.
While the interactions inThe Harder They Falllack such respect, they do showcase plenty of conversational finesse. Certain unscrupulous parties try to sway others to their side or scare them into submission without firing a shot. Of course, this doesn’t always work and often ends in a bloodbath, but the buildup is much more thrilling than the resulting gunfight.
4Appaloosa
This gem is based on a book by Robert B. Parker and features hard-hitting wit and writing, forming an unbreakable bond between the heroes. These two have an unspoken trust and camaraderie that clearly extends beyond their casual conversations. It’s a credit to both the nuanced writing and the immense chemistry between Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen.
These minimalist interactions should ring a bell for those who’ve seenThe Harder They Fall. The characters here often portray their relationships with little to no dialogue. Some of the most intimate bonds exist without words, and such connections excel in both films.
3Hell On Wheels
This series has a similar appeal toDeadwood. While the writing may not be as sharp,Hell on Wheelsmakes up for it in scope. It chronicles the building of the first transcontinental railroad, meaning the characters gradually trek across the whole country and face numerous challenges along the way.
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The nature of the project also throws several types of people together for better or worse. Construction involved residents from the North and South sides of the Civil War, former African-American slaves, and immigrants from across the globe. Naturally, relations between these groups were often hostile. The process by which they come together and overcome personal and environmental harships creates much of the drama.The Harder They Fallcovers similar interpersonal struggles, butHell on Wheelsexplores them on a much grander scale.
2Bone Tomahawk
This journey takes the same slow-burn approach asBadland, albeit with far greater brutality. S. Craig Zahler’s films have always been deliberately difficult watches in that regard. They have a uniquely uncompromising atmosphere that’s on full display here.
When the violence comes inBone Tomahawk, it’s without warning, ceremony, or even an orchestral sting. The rest of the time, characters casually converse amidst a haunting background: gorgeous yet uncomfortable in its emptiness and quiet. More than most movies, this conveys the eeriness of the Old West. On the other hand…
1Open Range
Few filmmakers in the past thirty years have captured the beauty of the American Westlike Kevin Costner. In bothDances with WolvesandOpen Range, the picturesque landscapes go hand-in-hand with the earnest characters and their journeys. Viewers can see the love of classic westerns throughout, bereft of the cynicism and stylization found in most modern takes.
This makesOpen Rangeunique among today’s cowboy flicks. It owes less tothe spaghetti showiness of Clint Eastwoodand more tothe warm thoughfulness of John Wayne.The Harder They Fallgoes for the former like most recent westerns, but it might be refreshing to see one in the vein of the latter. There’s just as much artistry on display and enjoyment to be had.
