The genre of the Western is quite intriguing. Most are overflowing with machismo and manliness. The majority feature daring action in harsh environments where only the hardiest can live and every issue can be resolved with a six-shooter. No other genre has as much heart, though, at the same time. Except for the romance genre, that is. Together, they can result in some really engaging movies.
Imagine John Wayne or Clint Eastwood falling madly in love with a fiercely independent woman. But they were probably too masculine to truly carry their hearts on their shoulders, it has undoubtedly happened before. Every western romance doesn’t have to be a high-speed chase. Some, like musicals or animated adventures, are simply plain enjoyable, portraying the stern and unforgiving west of a bygone period while yet making people grin. The top 10 Western romance films are listed here for your future viewing pleasure.
Brokeback Mountain
Only one movie had the potential to be ranked first on this list. The two genres in Ang Lee’s film Brokeback Mountain are expertly combined to make a lovely love story. When they agree to herd a rancher’s sheep, Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) discover themselves in an unforeseen relationship. They love their brief romance but must part ways at the end of the summer in order to go back to their wives. They have a 20-year-long covert relationship until a devastating conclusion. The topics of queerness and love are explored in Brokeback Mountain’s adept depiction of a society and time when doing so is strictly prohibited. The film’s ability to portray ideas of desire and forbidden love in a timeless story that will never expire is demonstrated by the fact that audiences often leave the theatre in tears.
Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane is set in Deadwood and features a less-than-true-to-life portrayal of well-known western heroes as she makes an effort to attract celebrities to her bar. She receives a dreamy assistant in place of a well-known actress. Soon after, Calamity discovers herself in a losing battle with said assistant for Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin’s affections. Calamity quickly discovers that her heart was actually pounding for her friend Wild Bill Hickock the entire time, and that she had the incorrect person in mind for it to be. Calamity Jane is a charming western romance that abandons the shoot ’em-up formula in favour of a more musically nostalgic romp. The whole family will enjoy this underappreciated western, which demonstrates the warmth of even the coldest hearts.
Legends of the Fall
One of Brad Pitt’s best movies is featured here. Tales of the Fall is a convoluted love triangle between three brothers and a young woman that takes place in the early 20th century. Samuel (Henry Thomas), having recently relocated to untamed Montana, comes from Harvard with Julia Ormond, his bride-to-be, who swiftly wins Tristen (Pitt), Samuel’s brother, over. All three of the men enlist to fight in World War One, and Tristen makes a promise to defend Samuel. However, after Samuel passes away, Tristen and his surviving brother Alfred (Aiden Quinn) return and begin to compete for Susannah’s attention, endangering the stability of the family. Due in large part to its intricate plot and accomplished actors, Legends of the Fall successfully avoids turning into a melodrama. One of Pitt’s best movies and one of the best westerns ever made, it expertly blended two genres.
Oklahoma! (1955)
Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! is a classic western romantic musical that has been a great sensation on stage and screen for decades. The movie follows cowboy Curly McLain as he finally works up the guts to propose to farm girl Laurey Williams in the year just before Oklahoma became a state. He was frustrated by the length of time it took him to act because he was unaware that she felt the same way about him. She accepts the imposing and brutal Jud Fry’s invitation to the Box Social as payback. Jud was more dangerous than Laurey had anticipated, and she now worries that he might harm Curly. They Will Say We’re In Love, a duet performed by Curly and Laurey in Oklahoma!, is only one of the wonderful musical performances in this enduring and lovable love story. The story has been told in a variety of ways, so viewers are not required to remain with just one.
Open Range
Without a doubt, one of the masters of the western subgenre is Kevin Costner, and Open Range showcases him at his very best. The movie features more action than romance as Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall) and his hired guns engage in combat with a dishonest lawman. The majority of the film is slow-paced, but only to prepare the audience for the bloody and chaotic gunfight at the end. The sister of the local doctor, Sue (Annette Benning), and Charley (Costner) fall in love. Their chemistry is obvious from the moment they meet, even though it does not dominate the majority of the movie. The fact that it shows an elderly couple’s relationship is another thing that distinguishes their relationship. There was something strange going on. Not only is Open Range a must-see for its gripping narrative, but it’s also one of the best western movies ever made.
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron has a lot of romance, despite not being a full-fledged romance. Spirit was wild and free with his herd in The Big Plains, as told from the viewpoint of the title horse. When the United States Calvary seized him, everything changed. The Lakota native Little Creek let Spirit free, and she quickly develops feelings for his mare, Rain. Over time, Spirit gains respect for the Lakota and vice versa, even putting his life in danger to save Little Creek and Rain before releasing them to rejoin his herd together. Even though the horses are voiceless (with the exception of Spirit’s voice-over), the story of his courtship with Rain is beautifully animated and gestured. Although Spirit isn’t well recognised today, viewers would be remiss to watch it again for the romance, the western, or both.
The Horse Whisperer
Based on Nicholas Evans’ 1995 novel of the same name, The Horse Whisperer is a charming love story that can pique the interest of even the most uninterested viewer. Tom the horse trainer is portrayed by Robert Redford in this film. Cowboy Tom is hired to treat a young girl (Scarlett Johansson) and her injured horse after an accident because he has a gift for understanding horses. Tom quickly develops feelings for her mother, Annie, as they work to heal their bodies and spirits (Kristin Scott Thomas). They are hesitant to act on their emotions, though. Nevertheless, in Montana, there is just time, and they soon come to the realisation that some things simply cannot be disregarded.
The Longest Ride
Nicholas Sparks will undoubtedly get his moment to shine on a list of the top romances because he penned the novel for this heartwarming western romance, The Longest Ride. Luke is a professional bull rider, and Sophia (Brit Robertson) is a college student who wants to work in the art world in New York. Despite the fact that they could not be more different from one another, they continue to fall in love. Naturally, as was to be expected, their differences begin to hinder their relationship and raise questions. Sophia only starts to think that love can endure any difficulty after hearing the compelling tale of an elderly man and his late wife. The Longest Ride is one of those cowboy romances that will make you swoon, so don’t miss it.
The Man From Snowy River
The Man From Snowy River, which is based on the same-named poem by Banjo Paterson, follows Tom Burlinson on his quest to establish his eligibility to succeed to the family ranch when his father dies. Nevertheless, when he accepts a job working for Harrison (Kirk Douglas) and is promptly fired due to his lack of ability, the endeavour turns out to be more difficult than he anticipated. He makes friends with Jessica (Sigrid Thornton), Harrison’s daughter, while he is working, and the two fall in love right away. Together, they set out to discover one of Harrison’s prized colts in search of a reward and the restoration of his honour because the man is out of work and his hopes are waning. The Man From Snowy River is a genuine western classic that appeals to fans of both the west and romance and the heart of Australia.
Two Mules for Sister Sara
Whose Western movie list would be complete without Clint Eastwood? For the sister, two mules Eastwood portrays Hogan, a cynical combat veteran in Mexico who hopes to make a fortune by selling weapons to the Juarista rebels who are battling the French Emperor Maximilian. Sara watches this scene in the movie. He discovers himself acting as Sara’s (Shirley MacLaine) guardian as she is being pursued by the French. Hogan might readily understand that Sara is not at all who she claims to be if he had faith or cared about the Bible. He only discovers her true identity and crimes after several adventures. But at that point, he might have loved her too much to leave her. Given how infrequently Eastwood appears in romantic roles, western fans may be particularly interested in learning what it takes to penetrate his tough exterior.
