Greatest TV Western Movies

David LaPell · Aug 9, 2009

Ok, here's a new one. What were the greatest made for TV Western movies ever (no John Wayne here). These were just made for the little screen. No weekly series, or even mini-series. Just your average two hour or so movies.
Ok-I'll start

Monte Walsh with Tom Selleck
Last Stand at Saber River
You Know My Name

Mickey D · Aug 9, 2009

My Name is Nobody

A spoof of spaghetti Westerns, with Terrence Hill and Henry Fonda. Along with the Trinity series, this is a classic.

Damn Yankee · Aug 9, 2009

Conagher With Sam Elliot

Wyatt Burp · Aug 9, 2009

So that's why you want a book about Tilgman. Lonesome Dove, of course. Conagher is out of this world great. Crossfire Trail is a great film for guns and leather guys and gals. Lee Marvin's Monty Walsh was way better than the Tom Selleck version (to me anyway). Like you said, "...Saber River" was great. OOps! Lonesome Dove was a mini-series. Scratch that one.

Wyatt Burp · Aug 9, 2009

stbryson said:
Hello,

I like all of the TV westerns with Tom Selleck or Sam Elliott. I though "Broken Trail", with Robert Duvall and Thomas Haden Church, was good. While not a "Western" in the traditional sense, "In Pursuit of Honor", on HBO several years back, is one of my favorites.

Take care,

You know what bugged me about Broken Trail? We've seen so many westerns set in the 1870's where guys used 1892 Winchesters. Now here's a western SET in the 1890's and they carry Winchester 66's and 73's. And most of all, Thomas Hayden Church has NO FRONT SIGHT on his '66 carbine! My wife rolls her eyes when I mention this stuff.

Wyatt Burp · Aug 9, 2009

How could I forget?!! "Riders of the Purple Sage" with Ed Harris! Unless you're Mormon, this movie is brilliant. It allows the desolate Utah countryside to be the co-star of the movie. Very little music if any adds to the lonliness of wide open spaces.Whose that kid from ET grown up? Watch him handle a Winchester '66 carbine. and watch him ride a horse. He's as good as Ben Johnson in She Wore A Yellow Ribbon. Absoluttly great. I've roamed and hichhiked southern Utah and words can't describe the countryside. But this movie can. And the authenticity to firearms is absolutely perfect. It's very obscure. I'm gonna go watch it right now again.

snakeman32 · Aug 9, 2009

My personal favorite would have to be the Sackets. One of the great Louis La'mour books made into a movie.

snakeman

Nightowl · Aug 9, 2009

I like all of them. Some more than others, of course. "Riders of the Purple Sage" is special, though.

Grayfox · Aug 9, 2009

Not sure if you'd call it a western or a war movie, but one of my favorite made for TVs is "Rough Riders".

bmhiii · Aug 9, 2009

I like all those and think Conagher is the best. I thought I'd mention Purgatory with Sam Shepard as a pretty good one too.

Wheelgunner840 · Aug 9, 2009

Dang! Bmhill! You beat me to it. I really liked "Purgatory" with Eric Roberts. Great premise for a western. Plus, in the opening scene, there is a bad guy on a rooftop with an 1887 Winchester lever action 12 gauge! One of my favorite shotguns!

WG840

Revoman · Aug 9, 2009

I always liked Silverado. Lot's of bullets flying.

jlrhiner · Aug 9, 2009

All of them mentioned are great movies, loved every one of them. Respectfully added for your consideration, "The Tracker" with Kris Kristoferson. I've always thought him kinda stiff as an actor, but IMO he was excellent in this role. I believe it was a made for HBO movie.

Wyatt Burp · Aug 9, 2009

jlrhiner said:
All of them mentioned are great movies, loved every one of them. Respectfully added for your consideration, "The Tracker" with Kris Kristoferson. I've always thought him kinda stiff as an actor, but IMO he was excellent in this role. I believe it was a made for HBO movie.

Great choice! I watch it often. I'm picking up a replica 1875 Remington .45 tomorrow. Nickle plated. Blued ones were used to great effect in The Tracker. Kristofferson uses the same Sharps Kiefer Sutherland later uses in Young Guns.

Dennis The B · Aug 9, 2009

The Sackett's

Besides Tom Selleck, it had Glenn Ford, Slim Pickens, Sam Elliott, Pat Buttram, Jack Elam, Buck Taylor, and the great Ben Johnson. You couldn't ask for a better cast.

"Conagher", and "The Shadow Riders" are also up there.

Just a side note - If I had to name on actor who exemplifies the "cowboy", it would have to be Sam Elliott. No one does it better.

Wyatt Burp · Aug 9, 2009

Dennis The B said:
Besides Tom Selleck, it had Glenn Ford, Slim Pickens, Sam Elliott, Pat Buttram, Jack Elam, Buck Taylor, and the great Ben Johnson. You couldn't ask for a better cast.

"Conagher", and "The Shadow Riders" are also up there.

Just a side note - If I had to name on actor who exemplifies the "cowboy", it would have to be Sam Elliott. No one does it better.

John Wayne represents the mythical west. Clint Eastwood, the cynical west. Sam Elliott IS the real west.

ncy54 · Aug 10, 2009

Revoman said:
I always liked Silverado. Lot's of bullets flying.

+1 for Silverado. Great soundtrack as well.

walnutred · Aug 10, 2009

My favorite TV western is Centennial, at least the early episodes. Micheners work always seemed decompose from very entertaining into political preaching as the story line progressed. I still consider his Tales of the South Pacific one of the best American novels ever written.

bk43 · Aug 10, 2009

I agree with those mentioned so far but I sure wish "Lonesome Dove" could be included with them. It sure ranks amoung the best.

Bob

RonJ · Aug 10, 2009

Wyatt Burp said:
John Wayne represents the mythical west. Clint Eastwood, the cynical west. Sam Elliott IS the real west.

I tend to think the real west was more like Van Heflin's character in Shane.
Contemplative, loyal, friendly, slow talkin' and fast drawin' probably wasn't too realistic.

Still, I like what you said.

Greatest TV Western Movies

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