10 Best Spaghetti Westerns Sergio Leone Had Nothing to Do With


When you think of Spaghetti Westerns, the one name that immediately stands out among the rest is Sergio Leone. The Italian filmmaker single-handedly established and defined the gritty subgenre in the 1960s with his Dollars Trilogy starring Clint Eastwood. From iconic, close-up, gunslinging shots to the sweeping, atmospheric scores, Leone’s films had a certain charm and appeal, and they left an indelible mark on cinema.







But while Leone is the undisputed king of the genre, he was not the only director who contributed to the golden age of the Spaghetti Western. There are a number of iconic gems out there that are just as entertaining, visually sumptuous, and suspenseful from start to finish. These movies not only take the core elements of the genre, like the morally conflicted anti-heroes, the dusty, lawless towns, and sudden bursts of violence, but also put their unique spin on them. In this list, we round up 10 of the best Spaghetti Westerns that weren’t directed by the legendary Sergio Leone.





10 'Face to Face' (1967)




The second installment in Sergio Sollima’s trilogy of Western movies, Face to Face tells the story of Brad Fletcher, a modest and introverted history professor at Boston University, who retires from his job and movies to the American West to recover from tuberculosis. There, he becomes entangled with the ruthless outlaw named Solomon “Beauregard” Bennet, and soon, Fletcher transforms into a violent and unforgiving leader himself.



A Twisted Tale of Redemption


Face to Face is based on the idea that a person develops their character and morals depending on the environment they’re placed in. It takes the conventions of the Spaghetti Western genre and infuses them with moral complexity and psychological depth, ultimately creating a narrative about second chances and redemption. To balance Sollima’s direction, there are impeccable turns from Gian Maria Volonté and Tomás Milián as Fletcher and Beauregard respectively, and a rousing score composed by Bruno Nicolai and Ennio Morricone.






9 'Day of Anger' (1967)




Day of Anger is set against the backdrop of the dusty and lawless town of Clifton. It follows a young man named Scott Mary, who is stuck in a dead-end life as a downtrodden street cleaner, constantly looked down upon and mistreated by the townsfolk. But everything changes when a mysterious gunfighter, Frank Talby, rides into town and takes Scott under his wing. He trains Scott, teaches him the ways of the gun and the code of the West and Scott blossoms into a deadly gunslinger himself.



A Spaghetti Western Coming-of-Age Story


Directed by the legendary Tonino Valerii, Day of Anger starts off as a simple Western, but soon begins to build towards a climactic showdown that tests loyalty and justice in the American West. A genre-bending masterpiece of sorts, it features Lee Van Cleef as the magnetic and commanding Talby and Giuliano Gemma as Scott, whose transformation from underdog to hero is truly appealing. Overall, an influential and enduring film outside the Sergio Leone canon.






8 'Keoma' (1976)




Even though it arrived much later than the Spaghetti Western craze, Keoma is one of the best films in the genre. It follows the story of the titular half-Native American gunslinger after he returns to his hometown after the Civil War and discovers that not only is the town under the tyrannical rule of Caldwell, but his estranged brothers have also sided with the petty and ruthless leader. Determined to free them all, Keoma confronts the oppressive forces in a series of intense clashes.



Brooding and Poetic Twist on Revenge


Under Enzo G. Castellari’s careful and grounded direction, Keoma elevates the familiar revenge narrative of the spaghetti western into a poetic and moving exploration of themes of family, trauma, and violence. While the atmospheric setting and existential approach are the key to making the movie a success, it’s Franco Nero’s captivating turn as the titular Keoma that was deemed by critics as “endlessly enjoyable.”




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7 'My Name Is Nobody' (1973)




An Italian-French-German international co-production, My Name is Nobody is a comedy Western set in the twilight of the Old West. It follows the legendary Jack Beauregard, a deadly gunslinger ready to hang up his holster for good and move to Europe for his retirement. But his plans are disrupted by a young and ambitious gunfighter named Nobody, who idolizes Jack and wants to see him in action and glory by taking on a gang of 150 outlaws. All by himself.






Hilarious and Playful Tribute to Westerns


Tonino Valerii started his career as an assistant director to Sergio Leone and made My Name is Nobody based on his idea. It features a career-defining performance from Terence Hill, whose charming and eccentric Nobody complemented Henry Fonda’s seasoned portrayal of Jack. The film had a playful tone, which was a departure from the conventional formula, and as the bodies kept piling up, the laughter and entertainment in his beloved classic kept on coming.​​​​​​​





6 'A Bullet for the General' (1966)




Filled with iconic fight scenes and a gripping narrative, A Bullet for the General takes place against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution and follows El Chuncho (Gian Maria Volonté), a mysterious bandit with a complicated moral compass and a thirst for gold who often steals arms from trains and supplies them to rebels. He crosses paths with Bill Tate, an American who joins the gang with a secret agenda but relies on Chuncho for guidance.




Thrives on its Revolutionary Themes


As the movie progresses, there is a rise in tensions and alliances are tested, until a climactic showdown reveals each character’s true intentions. What makes this Zapata Western a standout is that it transforms the genre into a gritty and politically charged exploration of the Mexican Revolution. Its realism combined with the dramatic action sequences and a haunting score by Luis Bacalov earned a lot of praise and an enduring popularity.





5 'Django' (1966)


Django
Release Date
November 30, 1966
Director
Sergio Corbucci
Cast
Franco Nero , José Canalejas , José Bódalo , Loredana Nusciak , Ángel Álvarez , Gino Pernice , Simón Arriaga , Giovanni Ivan Scratuglia


The name “Django” has become synonymous with the Spaghetti Western as it conjures the image of a lone gunslinger dragging a coffin behind him, ready to unleash his own brand of vengeance on any soul who dares cross his path. The 1966 gem, directed by Sergio Corbucci, finds the titular character in a lawless town, caught between two warring factions – a group of Mexican revolutionaries and a group of Ku Klux Klan-esque racists led by Major Jackson.




The Quintessential Spaghetti Western Classic


While Sergio Leone may have defined and owned the genre, Corbucci managed to profit off and rival the success of his movies with Django. Today, the movie is a seminal entry in the Spaghetti Western genre because of his gritty and uncompromising vision. The indelible presence of Franco Nero in the title role as he navigates the racial tensions and political upheaval leads to a lot of intense action, social commentary, and memorable one-liners.





4 'The Mercenary' (1968)




Also set against the turbulent backdrop of Mexico’s revolutionary struggles, The Mercenary features the story of an unlikely duo and their strong partnership thrust into the heart of heavy action. On one hand, there’s Sergei Kowalski, a Polish mercenary, and on the other hand, there is Paco Roman, a peasant-turned-revolutionary eager to join the fight and learn the art of warfare. But Paco’s greed and ambition gets in Kowalski’s way and culminates in a dramatic showdown.




Features a Dynamic Duo


Under masterful direction from Sergio Corbucci, The Mercenary defies all expectations. It takes the best elements of the genre and infuses them with a delightful mix of humor and action. The surprisingly charming buddy dynamic between Franco Nero’s cynical Kowalski and Tony Musante’s idealistic Paco brings depth and energy to the movie, while Ennio Morricone's iconic score adds emotional weight to the story.​​​​​​​





3 'Death Rides a Horse' (1967)




Death Rides a Horse is an iconic revenge saga that begins with Bill Meceita witnessing the brutal murder of his family by a gang of four men, whose characteristics he memorized by heart. Orphaned and scarred, Bill spends fifteen years training himself and honing his skills as a gunslinger. He then teams up with Ryan, a mysterious stranger who has his own vendetta against the men, and the two hunt down the outlaws responsible.




A Revenge Western Fueled by Tragedy


Grim and dark narratives aren’t unconventional within the realm of Spaghetti Westerns. But with Death Rides a Horse, director Giulio Petroni turns things up a notch and forces his characters to not only confront their own thirst for retribution but also deal with the lingering trauma that shaped their entire lives. Of course, the heart-pounding action sequences and the fascinating chemistry between John Philip Law and Lee Van Cleef is a huge draw.​​​​​​​



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2 'A Pistol for Ringo' (1965)







Written and directed by Duccio Tessari, A Pistol for Ringo is a joint Italian and Spanish production that introduces us to Ringo, a resourceful gunslinger who finds himself caught up in the chaos of a small town taken over by a gang of bandits. When Ringo is falsely accused of murder, he uses his art of disguise and deception and strikes a deal with the local sheriff to infiltrate the gang and find a way to protect the townspeople.



Far From the More Brooding Entries in the Genre


The lightning-fast pace and playful aesthetic of A Pistol for Ringo makes it an essential entry on the list of the best Spaghetti Westerns of all time. It is renowned for its engaging plot and Giuliano Gemma’s delightfully subversive turn as the titular character. While staying true to the classic tropes of magnetism and gunslinging action, the movie also offers a generous dose of humor, and this fresh twist is what makes it entertaining and unforgettable. ​​​​​​​





1 'The Great Silence' (1968)





The final Spaghetti Western on the list, directed and co-written by Sergio Corbucci, The Great Silence is set in the snowy and unforgiving landscapes of Utah. It tells the story of a mute gunslinger who goes by Silence as he seeks revenge against a group of bounty hunters who killed his parents. Along his quiet but ruthless pursuit, he is also hired by Pauline to avenge the murder of her husband.



A Bleak and Unflinching Look Into the West


Celebrated mainly because of its despairing tone and stark, snow-covered visuals, The Great Silence is nowhere close to the energetic, larger-than-life entries in the genre. Instead, it sets the stage for a lethal game of wits and morals, forcing the audience to immerse themselves in the bleak narrative. With Ennio Morricone’s intense and melancholic score, as well as Jean-Louis Trintignant and Klaus Kinski’s contrasting performances, the film makes up the heart and soul of the genre.



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