The Western is a very interesting genre. Most of them are brimming with masculinity and machismo. Most feature bold action set in harsh environments where only the tough and hardened can survive, and each problem can be solved with a six-shooter. At the same time, no other genre has so much heart. That is, except the romance genre. When the two get together, they make for some pretty compelling movies.
Imagine men like Clint Eastwood or John Wayne falling head over heels in love with a tough woman. It's probably happened before, but they were probably too macho to really put their hearts on their shoulders. Not every western romance has to be an adventure. Some are just plain fun, showcasing the harsh and unforgiving west of a bygone era while still bringing smiles to faces, like musicals or animated adventures. Here are the top ten best western romantic movies you should watch next.
10 The Horse Whisperer
The Horse Whisperer is based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Nicholas Evans and offers a captivating romance that will enchant even the most uninterested viewer. In this film, Robert Redford plays a horse trainer named Tom. He has a knack for understanding horses, so when a young girl (Scarlett Johansson) and her horse are injured in an accident, cowboy Tom is hired to nurse them back to health. In restoring their bodies and minds, Tom soon begins to fall for her mother, Annie (Kristin Scott Thomas). However, they are reluctant to act on their feelings. But in Montana, there's nothing but time, and they soon begin to realize that some things just can't be ignored.
9 Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
Though it's not a full-fledged romance, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron has a lot to do with it. Told from the perspective of the titular horse, Spirit was wild and free with his herd in The Great Plains. That all changed when he was captured by the Calvary of the United States. Spirit is freed by the Lakota Native Little Creek and soon falls for his mare named Rain. Over time, Spirit comes to respect the Lakota, and vice versa, even risking his life for Little Creek and Rain before they are finally released together to return to his herd. While the horses don't speak (except for Spirit's voiceover), his romance with Rain is beautiful, told with stunning animation and gestures. Spirit isn't very well remembered these days, but viewers would be admonished to revisit this adventure, be it for the romance, the western, or both.
8 The longest ride
Of course, in a list of best romances, Nicholas Sparks gets his chance to shine, and he wrote the book for this touching western romance, The longest ride. Sophia (Brit Robertson) is a college student who dreams of entering the art world in New York, while Luke is a professional bull rider. They can't be different, and yet they can't help but fall in love. And of course, as will inevitably happen, their differences begin to get in the way of their relationship, causing doubts. When Sophia hears the captivating story of an elderly man and his deceased wife, she begins to realize that love can overcome any challenge. Do not miss it The longest ride because it's definitely one of those cowboy romances that will make you swoon.
7 Oklahoma! (1955)
A big hit on both screen and stage, Roger's and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! is a timeless western romantic musical that endures to this day. Set in the year just before Oklahoma achieved statehood, the story follows cowboy Curly McLain, who finally musters up the courage to ask farm girl Laurey Williams out on a date. He didn't realize she had feelings for him, too, and hated waiting so long for him to make a move. In retaliation, she accepts an invitation from the intimidating and brutal Jud Fry to go to the Box Social. What Laurey didn't realize was that Jud was more dangerous than she thought, and she fears he might hurt Curly. Oklahoma! is a timeless and captivating love story with great musical numbers, such as the duet 'People Will Say We're In Love' by Curly and Laurey. There are several different renditions of this story, so viewers don't have to stick to one either.
6 Two mules for Sister Sara
What list of Westerns would be complete without a Clint Eastwood appearance? Two mules for Sister Sara sees Eastwood play Hogan, a cynical Mexico war veteran who wants to make a fortune trading weapons to the Juarista rebels fighting against the French Emperor Maximilian. While there, he finds himself as a protector of Sara (Shirley MacLaine), a maverick nun who is being hunted by the French. If Hogan had faith or cared about the word of God, it would be easy for him to see that Sara is not at all who she says she is. It is only after several adventures that he discovers her true identity and crimes. But by then he may have fallen too hard to abandon her. It's rare to see Eastwood in a romantic role, so Western fans might enjoy seeing what it takes to break through that tough exterior of his.
5 Calamity Jane
In a not-so-authentic portrayal of famous Western heroes, Calamity Jane takes place in Deadwood and sees the western heroine trying to bring star power to her saloon. However, instead of a famous actress, she gets an assistant with big dreams. Calamity soon competes with that aide for the affections of one Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin, but on the losing side of the game. However, Calamity soon finds her heart racing to the wrong person when she realizes it belonged to her boyfriend Wild Bill Hickock all along. Calamity Jane is a fun western romance that ditches the shoot 'em up theme for more of a musical grand old time. It's fun for all the family and an underrated Western that shows that even the hardest of hearts can be the warmest.
4 The man from Snowy River
Based on Banjo Paterson's poem of the same name,Snowy Rive's husbandR sees Tom Burlinson on a journey to prove his worthiness to inherit the family farm after his father dies. However, the task proves more difficult than he thought, when he takes a job with Harrison (Kirk Douglas) and is soon fired for his lack of skill. While on duty, he befriends Harrison's daughter Jessica (Sigrid Thornton), and the two soon fall for each other. With no job and his hopes fading, the two team up to search for one of Harrison's prized colts for a reward and the restoration of his honor. The man from Snowy River is a true Western classic, capturing the heart of Australia, as well as the hearts of Western aficionados and romance lovers alike.
3 Open range
Kevin Costner is without a doubt one of the kings of the western genre, and it's in Open scope that he is at his best. The movie is more action than romance as Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall) and his hired hands take up arms to take on a corrupt cop. The movie is slow for the most part, but only to save itself from the brutal and messy gunfight in the conclusion. The romance takes place between Charley (Costner) and Sue (Annette Benning), the sister of the town doctor. While it doesn't take up most of the movie, their chemistry is palpable from their first meeting. What also makes this relationship special is that it depicts the relationship of an older couple. Something unusual at that time. Open range is a must-watch, not just because of its compelling story, but simply because it's one of the greatest westerns ever made into a movie.
2 Legends of Autumn
Here's Brad Pitt in one of his best movies. Set in the early 20th century, Legends of Autumn is a complicated love triangle between three brothers and a young woman. After moving to rugged Montana, Samuel (Henry Thomas) returns from Harvard with his fiancée (Julia Ormond), who quickly gains the affections of Tristen's (Pitt) brother Samuel. He vows to protect Samuel after all three men enlist to fight in World War I, but when Samuel dies, Tristen and his remaining brother Alfred (Aiden Quinn) return and soon struggle for Susannah's affection, threatening to kill the tear family apart. Legends of Autumn benefits from a complex plot and avoids becoming a melodrama with ease and grace, a testament to the stellar cast. It was an expert fusion of two genres, making it one of Pitt's best films and one of the best Westerns out there.
1 Brokeback Mountain
There was only one movie that could have taken the number one spot on this list. Ang Lee'sBrokeback Mountain is a perfect blend of two genres to create a beautiful love story. Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) find themselves in an unexpected romance when they volunteer to tend a farmer's sheep. They enjoy their whirlwind romance, but are forced to separate at the end of the summer to return to their wives. They continue their secret affair for two decades until it comes to a tragic end. Brokeback Mountain deftly captures a culture and period that explore the themes of strangeness and love in a place where their crossing is strictly forbidden. Audiences walk away from this movie in tears because it is so powerful, demonstrating its power like a movie while conveying concepts of desire and forbidden love in a timeless story that will never die.
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