Like any film genre, the western has its share of solid films that never receive the full appreciation they should. Here are five examples.
“Dark Command’ (1940): Directed by Rao
ul Walsh, this was John Wayne-s follow-up to “Stagecoach’, the film that made him a star. Based on the story of William Quantrill, the film co-stars William Pidgeon, Claire Trevor and Roy Rogers.
“Ride the High Country’ (1962): Sam Peckinpah-s film stars Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott as aging cowboys guarding a shipment of gold through hazardous territory. The film has a strong supporting cast and gained notoriety for Peckinpah.
“The Way West’ (1967): The story of a wagon train en route to Oregon stars Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum and Richard Widmark. The cast includes a young Sally Field and a group of veteran character actors.
“Will Penny’ (1968): Charlton Heston stars an aging cowboy in a subtle western that is stronger on character study than outright action. The film features beautiful cinematography and one of Heston-s best performances.
“Ulzana-s Raid’ (1972): Director Robert Aldrich created a raw, tough western with graphic violence not seen in the genre at the time. Burt Lancaster stars as an army scout hunting down a renegade Apache warrior.
