CowboySpirit.TV - The Western Movie genre represents a unique period in US history. As a nation, we were struggling to heal from the horrors of the Civil War, and many moved west to create better lives for themselves and their families. The US Territories represented an opportunity to live with fewer rules and more autonomy, creating a independence without anarchy. Many men went West looking for the chance to start again; western movies tell their stories.
There are so many excellent western movies that center around redemption, but three modern classics are especially noteworthy; “Unforgiven”, “Open Range”, and “True Grit” (either version).
Unforgiven begins with a prostitute's mutilation by one her customers when she refuses to perform a sexual act. When the local law does not do enough to punish the attacker, her coworkers put a bounty on him, attracting an young gunslinger and retired killer. The retired killer reformed for his young wife, becoming a farmer and family man, but after her death faces fact that he is a poor farmer and decides to take one last job, that of tracking down the prostitute's assailant and bringing him in for justice.
Open Range tells the tale of four men who “free graze” a cattle herd through open country, running into problems when an aggressive, greedy cattle rancher attacks their group, killing one and seriously wounding another. The cattle baron threatens the remaining two by ordering them to leave even though free grazing is legal. The two men refuse to be intimidated by the wealthy landowner and state their intent to remain and graze their cattle on the open land. The ensuing showdown is fierce, graphic, yet poignant as it is about men who are tired of running and decide to take a stand for their beliefs, regardless of the outcome.
True Grit is the story of a young girl who goes into Indian Territory to find the man who murdered her father and force him to atone for his crime. She seeks out a man with "Grit" and is informed that her man is a Federal Marshall with a shady past but unparalleled toughness and tenacity. Despite serious personal consequences, she ultimately triumphs.
Each story requires sacrifice by the central character(s) and the ability to come to terms with the results. Many great western movies are about redemption for someone flawed but essentially decent, and ultimately an underdog's victory over tyranny.
CowboySpirit.TV - There have always been a large number of western fans, but in recent years western movies have been enjoying a revival. Perhaps because complex urban lives have become standard, people are coming to westerns to enjoy a story from when things were simpler, there was plenty of open land, and the hero comes out on top at the end – or maybe it’s because generations after the 1960s missed out on the classic western heyday and are finally finding their way to western movies. Either way, western fans rejoice, because the resurgence is making it easier than ever to re-discover old favorites and enjoy new ones.
Media channels such as Netflix are steadily increasing their stock of classic westerns, and the studios that own the films have been happy to oblige demand by re-releasing their titles. Universal Studios has been studiously re-releasing classics on DVD with their 4 Movie Marathon western packs, including The Far Country, The Duel at Silver Creek, and Kansas Raiders. TV series are also getting the re-release treatment: Rawhide has been available on DVD for a few years now, but other classic series such as Hawkeye and The Tall Man became available in 2011, while Overland Trail is due in 2012.
In addition to reviving the original westerns, the resurgence is creating new movies to enjoy – the Coen Brothers’ True Grit, a re-make of John Wayne’s Rooster Cogburn, is a new classic. Other recent entries took more liberty with the genre but still fell into theme, like Rango and the critically panned but entertaining Cowboys & Aliens.
Western followers have a lot to look forward to in 2012, with several big-studio westerns opening. Much anticipated is Quentin Tarantino’s first all-western movie (yes, that is debatable, but that’s how the movie is billed), titled Django Unchained, coming in November 2012. If Django sounds familiar, it should – not only did the spectacular Japanese western Sukiyaki Western Django grace our screens in 2007, the classic 1966 spaghetti western Django was recently given the Blu-ray treatment.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that Cowboy Spirit TV is dedicated to creating new western films and other creative endeavors, and our own short film Little Joe the Wrangler is targeted for release in 2012. We hope you are excited as we are to be riding along on this western revival.
CowboySpirit.TV - In the Old West, the week of February 20th included events that changed the course of American history. Battles were fought and won, others were tragically lost, important legislation was passed (and ignored - this was the Wild West, after all), and one of America's most famous Wild West characters was born.
Here's a list of happenings from February 20 - 26.
February 20
1839: U.S. Congress passes an anti-dueling law. As famous Old West gunslingers could attest, this law is largely ignored west of the Mississippi, thank goodness. The Wild West without the Quick Draw Duel would hardly be the same.
February 21
1862: Texas Rangers win a Confederate victory at the Battle of Val Verde in New Mexico. The Rangers are the 2nd oldest state-level law enforcement in the United States and have curtailed notorious out-laws: Bonnie & Clyde and gunfighter John Wesley Hardin, to name a few.
February 22
1847: U.S. Troops beat Mexico in the battle of Buena Vista. Considered to be one of the most dramatic fights of the Mexican American War, 5000 U.S. troops, led by Major General Zachary Taylor prevail over 20,000 Mexican troops, led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.
February 23
1836: One of the most tragic dates in Old West history, General Santa Anna arrives at the Alamo with approximately 1500 troops. It is the beginning of a 13-day siege that concludes in a bloody defeat for all but two of the approximately 150 American soldiers and volunteers. Old West folklore is robbed of legendary figures such as James Bowie, William Barret Travis, and David Crockett.
1871: A real life "Cowboys And Indians" story takes place when John M Bullard, founder of Silver City, NM is shot and killed in an Apache raid.
February 24
1836: William Travis writes his famous letter, "To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World", requesting reinforcements. It stands as a model of patriotic defiance to this day.
February 25
1836: Samuel Colt is granted Patent #9430X for his Colt US Revolver. Although the patent was a modification on Elisha Collier's invention, it allowed Colt to maintain a monopoly on revolver production for over twenty years.
February 26
1846: William Frederick Cody, "Buffalo Bill" is born in Iowa Territory. Undoubtedly one of the Old West's most notable characters, Buffalo Bill was enamored with Cowboy lore and organized/performed famous shows in the U.S. as well as the UK and Europe.
Check back next week to learn more about Old West history.
THE DUKE: JOHN WAYNE AND THE WESTERN
Marion Robert Morrison – better known as John Wayne – is the face of the Western, and, arguably, the single most iconic figure in the history of the American movie industry. Let’s take a look back at the Western “career chronology” of the man they call The Duke. Although not all inclusive, we've included many of the ones for which he most remembered.
The Shootist (1976) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMboGPneLOo) – The Duke's final film role, a fitting goodbye to the genre and his film career. Wayne plays an aging, cancer-stricken gunfighter, trying to live out his dying days in peace – but menaced by old flames, old enemies and a gang of killers. Directed by Don Siegel, the film also features Lauren Bacall, James Stewart and Ron Howard. In an unfortunate twist, Wayne would die of cancer only three years later.
True Grit (1969) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN-j4GDqjv4) – John Wayne won his first (and only) Oscar for his unforgettable, eye-patched role as crusty U.S. Marshall, Rooster Cogburn, hired by young Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) to avenge the murder of her father. This adaptation of the classic Charles Portis book was later made into a far superior 2010 film by the Coen brothers (starring Jeff Bridges as Cogburn), but Wayne's performance is still wonderful to behold.
How the West Was Won (1962) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN-j4GDqjv4) – This enormous, sprawling Western defines the term "epic." Boasting four directors (including John Ford) and a cast of dozens of Hollywood stars (among them Walter Brennan, Lee J. Cobb, Henry Fonda, Karl Malden, Gregory Peck, Debbie Reynolds and James Stewart), it's Wayne's scene-chewing performance as Gen. William T. Sherman that towers above the rest.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA2JgS6zycQ) – Another rich John Ford collaboration, starring Wayne and James Stewart as two polar opposites fighting over a woman (Vera Miles) and against the evil Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin). It's one of the more somber and cynical movies of the genre, echoing the mature themes that would be seen in more modern Westerns.
Rio Bravo (1959) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlAF1DPLIAI) – Widely regarded as one of the greatest Westerns of all time, this Howard Hawks film boasts an amazing cast – Wayne as a sheriff, Dean Martin as the town drunk, Ricky Nelson as the hotshot gunfighter, Walter Brennan as the deputy. Wayne’s Sherriff John Chance enlists the help of all three to keep a murderer (Claude Atkins) in jail. A great movie made greater by the music of Nelson and Martin.
The Searchers (1956) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI2AZb04HAc) – A gorgeous, ambitious Western always mentioned in the discussion of the greatest American films of all time, The Searchers just might be the greatest film of both Wayne and Ford’s careers. Wayne is in top-notch form as Ethan Edwards, a Confederate veteran on a multi-year quest to find his niece (Natalie Wood), kidnapped by a murderous gang of Comanches. How great a movie was it? Take a look at its influence on popular music – “That’ll Be the Day” by Buddy Holly and the Crickets took its name from a line uttered by Wayne in the film, and Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” took its opening line (“well the screen door slams…”) from the film’s amazing final shot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woahas_W35A).
Red River (1948) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7M9YdQ0QlQ) - Another extraordinary Howard Hawks Western epic, starring Wayne as a rancher leading a cattle drive on the Chisholm Trail while embroiled in a bitter feud with his adopted son (Montgomery Clift).
Stagecoach (1939) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBuPI4m4pO8) – The movie that jump-started the careers of both Wayne and his longtime directing collaborator John Ford. Wayne shot to superstardom in his role as the “Ringo Kid,” a fugitive on board an Arizona-to-New Mexico stagecoach populated by an unforgettable cast of Western characters.
3 of Our Favorite Rodeo Movies
The sport of rodeo is one of the most iconic symbols of the culture of the American West, and it has been immortalized in dozens of movies. Three of the most enduring titles in the rodeo genre include Junior Bonner, The Great American Cowboy, and 8 Seconds.
Junior Bonner (1972)
This movie stars silver screen legend Steve McQueen and was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sam Peckinpah, whose other classic westerns include The Wild Bunch, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, and Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia.
An explosive drama with comedic elements, Junior Bonner tells the story of Ace Bonner (Robert Preston), an aging patriarch who returns home years after abandoning his family. He finds his son Junior (McQueen) has grown up to become a reckless loose cannon. As Junior participates in a rodeo, a powder keg of family tensions finally erupts.
The Great American Cowboy (1973)
This acclaimed documentary gives viewers a rare and moving behind-the-scenes look at rodeo culture. Its narrative focuses on two fierce competitors: Larry Mahan, a veteran of the rodeo circuit, and Phil Lyne, a cocky young up-and-coming star. Over the course of the movie, Mahan and Lyne fight neck-and-neck for the chance to become a world champion.
The Great American Cowboy was directed by Kieth Merrill and won an Academy Award in 1973 for Best Documentary Feature.
8 Seconds (1994)
Luke Perry in a bull riding movie? That's exactly what viewers who watch 8 Seconds will get. Fans of the genre swear the formula worked like magic in this 1994 biographical drama.
The movie tells the life story of Lane Frost (Perry), who won the PRCA's world championship title in bull riding in 1987. Under the guidance and mentorship of his close friend and three-time world bull riding champion Tuff Hedeman (Stephen Baldwin), Frost overcomes personal challenges and a sometimes-difficult marriage to his wife Kellie (Cynthia Geary) to ride in the limelight. The film's title is a reference to the sport's eight second benchmark, which is the elapsed time a bullrider must reach in order to earn a score and a chance to win.
These titles stand out among the dozens in the genre, combining commercial success with critical acclaim and featuring some of the best-known screen performers of their time. Fans of the culture of the American West will enjoy the drama and spectacle that unfolds in these three remarkable motion pictures.
This Week in the History of the Old West
Week of February 13th
The rich tapestry of the Old West weaves together some of the most fascinating tales and iconic characters in American history. The week of February 13-19 provided the setting for numerous events of historical and cultural importance, including strikes by notorious outlaws, sweeping changes to the American political landscape and much more.
Here's a run-down of this week's events in the Old West:
- February 13: In 1866, Frank James and the Younger brothers raid a bank in Liberty, Missouri. The robbery is the first organized daylight bank heist in American history, netting the thieves some $60,000. Jesse James is also believed to have been involved.
- February 14: In 1904, the Missouri Kid, an elusive outlaw whose real name was William Rudolph, is finally captured in the state of Kansas. Also, in 1912, the state of Arizona was officially admitted to the United States of America.
- February 15: In 1887, unusually harsh winter conditions wreak havoc on livestock farmers throughout the American west, with Montana ranchers reporting that 60 percent of the state's cattle has frozen to death. Also, in 1898, hundreds of Old West gunslingers and cowboys rush to enlist in the American army after an American battleship is blown up in Havana.
- February 16: In 1878, the famous "silver dollar" becomes legal tender in the United States. Also, in 1881, criminal Dave Rudabaugh is given a 99-year prison term for stealing mail.
- February 17: In 1851, Alice Ivers, who would rise to fame under the moniker of "Poker Alice," was born in England. Also, in 1909, the famous Native American chief Geronimo died at the age of 80 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
- February 18: In 1882, famed lawman Pat Garrett collects his $500 reward for killing Billy the Kid, who was wanted dead or alive. Also, in 1906, John Stetson passed away. His surname became synonymous with the iconic hats of the Old West.
- February 19: In 1847, the infamous Donner Party, a band of travelers who were lost and stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and had to turn to cannibalism in order to survive, are rescued. Also, in 1877, Fort Missoula (which would later become known simply as Missoula) is established in Montana.
The month of February included many other significant and fascinating events in the history of the Old West. Be sure to check back next week to learn more!
INSIDE COWBOY SPIRIT FILMS
Weekly Update for Feb. 12, 2012
In this week's installment, we wanted to update you on three things which we hope you'll find of interest: an update on the Cowboy Spirit movie; an announcement of our intended publishing schedule on the Cowboy Spirit blog; and a request for our Cowboy Spirit community.
Update: Cowboy Spirit the Movie
We've made a great deal of progress with our Cowboy Spirit film this past week, both in terms of casting as well as the crew and locations.
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It looks like we've successfully cast the critical role of Ted, the lead male in the film. This was one of the more difficult roles to cast because the role calls for a very specific type of actor - and we truly believe we found him! We're excited to introduce you to this very talented young man in the coming weeks.
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Casting for he role of Molly, the lead female - an aspiring country singer and single mom, is ongoing and we've had a number of talented women who've sent us inquiries. We suspect that our problem with this role will be choosing from among several compelling actresses.
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Progress has been great in terms of filling production roles, securing locations, and filling a few of the minor roles. We've secured the talents of an additional producer as well as a Director of Photography. We also secured two of the main filming locations - a critical part of any film production, but especially for Cowboy Spirit, given the country/city needs of the movie. We expect to have an open casting session for several of the other roles in the film, most likely in the latter part of March.
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If you have any interest in being part of the cast or production crew, please shoot Bill an email.
Cowboy Spirit Blog Publishing Calendar
We've settled on an publishing calendar for the Blog and we wanted to share it with you so you'll know what to expect going forward.
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Monday : Movie Review Monday
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Tuesday : * A day off to rest your inbox *
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Wednesday : This week in the History of the Old West
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Thursday : Random Cowboy Spirit Stuff
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Friday : Feature Film Friday
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Saturday : Random Cowboy Spirit Stuff
A Request of the Cowboy Spirit Community
Lastly, we'd like to request your feedback. If you have any thoughts to share, feedback or suggestions to offer, or things on your mind, please share them in the comments below, post them on our Facebook Fan Page, or send us an email.
If there are westerns you'd like for us to review, please let us know. Or better yet, if you'd like to be a guest blogger and do a review yourself, we'd love to have you. Just give us a holler and let's talk.
It's very important to us that you, our Cowboy Spirit community, be actively involved in our work, not only in the sharing of our passion for the western movie genre, but most importantly, for our own creative projects. After all, we're making westerns for YOU and we want you to be involved.
Thanks and have a great week...
Mike and Bill
THE MAN WITHOUT A NAME: CLINT EASTWOOD AND THE WESTERN
If John Wayne was the face of the classic western, Clint Eastwood is the face of the modern Western. Bookending his career with the "Spaghetti Western" trilogy and his Academy Award-winning directorial effort in Unforgiven, Eastwood has acted in, produced and directed some of the greatest Westerns to ever grace the silver screen. Let's take a look back at the remarkable western "career chronology" of an American icon.
Unforgiven (1992) – A fitting end to his Western career, this extraordinary film serves as mediation on the genre's darker side, following an aging gunfighter and killer (Eastwood) hired to avenge the vicious slashing of a prostitute. Eastwood took home well-deserved Best Picture and Best Actor Oscars.
Pale Rider (1985) – One of the more underrated films of his career, this modern retelling of Shane is bolstered by some tremendous action scenes, captivating Boulder Mountain locations and an intriguing air of mystery around Eastwood's "Preacher" character.
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) – A violent, fascinating film, the stature of this hit has only grown with time. Eastwood stars as the titular Civil War-era character, a Missouri farmer hell-bent on avenging the murder of his family by a band of Jayhawks.
High Plains Drifter (1973) – Another, darker variation on the "drifter with no name" theme, this acclaimed hit was the first Western Eastwood directed.
Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970) – The second of the reliably entertaining Don Siegel / Eastwood collaborations (best known for their decidedly non-Western film Dirty Harry), Eastwood starred as a drifter named Hogan, protecting a nun (Shirley MacLaine) and mixed up in a war between Mexican rebels and French occupiers.
Paint Your Wagon (1969) – Probably best remembered now as an object of scorn in a fantastic Simpsons joke (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM5-xFenaZI), this Western musical stars Eastwood and Lee Marvin as a pair of singin' Old West prospectors. It's as strange as it sounds, but entertaining enough.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), For a Few Dollars More (1965), A Fistful of Dollars (1964) – The "Spaghetti Western" trilogy kicked off one of the great Western careers ever. Directed with a pulpy edge by Sergio Leone, these three crowd-pleasing features are sent over the top by Ennio Morricone's astonishing score. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is undoubtedly the best, but the other two are top-flight films.
Here's the latest in our look at Wyatt Earp and the Gunfight at the OK Corral:
It's finally just around the corner, the long awaited tale of The First Ride of Wyatt Earp. Directed by Michael Feifer and to be released on March 6th, 2012 What Earps Revenge (The First Ride of Wyatt Earp) will be of of the very few westerns to be released in 2012.
Val Kilmer returns to the screen in a new role playing a familiar charactor. Yep - this time around he is playing the infamous "Wyatt Earp". Looking absolutley nothing like the alcohol and laudanum dependant young man we've come to know as Doc Holliday from "Tombstone" (1993), Val Kilmer appears distinguished, powerful, and sizably different in appearence.
Along with Val, Wyatt Earp's Revenge will also star Matt Dallas as Bat Masterson and Trace Adkins as Milflin Kenedy.
Matt has had expereince with some tv and film in the past. Nothing too big though. He will likely be recognized from his role of "Chad" from the television series "Eastwick" or Kyle from the television series "Kyle XY". I'll be honest, I've seen neither.
Trace Adkins, as many of you will know, entered the Country Music scene about a decade ago. Since then he has been a member of The Grand Ole Opry, hosted the Country Music Awards show a couple times, as well as begin to make his mark in the acting world. Most recently he played the role of Eddie Vogel in "The Lincoln Lawyer" but has also been in everything from children's cartoons (Higgleytown Heros) to voice overs in a prime time animated series (King of The Hill)
Wyatt Earp's Revenge will introduce the fans to a handful of fresh new faces in the world of acting. Here are a few questions we'd like to hear back from all of you on...
- Do you think a bunch of fresh faces and acting "newb's" will help or hurt the film?
- How will seeing Val Kilmer, the man we knew as the shifty, alcoholic, loose-cannon from Tombstone, play the role of Wyatt?
- In your opinion, will this movie ever reach the level of following as "Tombstone" or even "Wyatt Earp" has?
Here is the recently released movie trailer. Take a look and don't forget to leave us a comment and answer the questions above - or give us your thoughts and predictions of this movie.
While the real gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, only lasted 30 seconds, the 1957 film’s version of it spanned about five minutes. Enjoy these 10 additional fun facts about Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, one of the best Western movies ever made:
1) Producer Hal B. Wallis originally wanted to cast Burt Lancaster and Humphrey Bogart as the leads. He did land Burt Lancaster as Marshal Wyatt Earp, but the role of Dr. John “Doc” Holliday went to Kirk Douglas.
2) Dennis Hopper played Billy Clanton in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The actor was from Dodge City, Kansas, where Wyatt Earp once served as sheriff.
3) Virgil Earp was the marshal of Tombstone, not Wyatt. Western movies — actually, movies of all genres — will bend the truth to create a more powerful storyline.
4) The real gunfight took place around 3 p.m., but in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Wyatt Earp and his brothers were told to be at the corral at sunup.
5) Certain Tombstone street scenes were shot on a Paramount Ranch set seen later in the popular TV show Bonanza. Western movies and TV shows often shared and/or reused sets.
6) Kirk Douglas planned his coughs down to the number and kind for his character's consumptive condition. He did so to ensure continuity throughout the film.
7) In a scene during the gunfight, a charge and wires used to create a gunshot effect can be seen dangling from a wall. Oops.
8) Wyatt Earp drinks whiskey throughout Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. In reality, the lawman rarely drank.
9) To date, the movie has grossed $11,750,000 at the U.S. box office and $4,700,000 in rentals. Dances With Wolves ranks at the top of the top-grossing Western movies of all times list at $184,000,000 to date, with the 2010 remake of True Grit just behind it at 171,000,000.
10) Gunfight at the O.K. Corral was nominated for two Oscars: best film editing and best sound recording. The Directors Guild of America also nominated director John Sturges for outstanding directorial achievement in motion pictures. The film didn’t win these awards, but it did take home a Golden Laurel for top action drama. Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas were also each nominated that year for a Golden Laurel award for top male action star. Lancaster took home the award, and Douglas came in fifth place.