With accolades to Robert Getz for the article on Facebook:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/04/movie ... ref=movies

What did you guys think of the original from 1969? I admit to never having seen it... I've never been a big John Wayne viewer. Nothing wrong with him... but if it's time for a Western, I'll take Clint Eastwood.

The John Wayne movie is entertaining and you can tell it was made at a time when standards for movie violence, etc., were changing. Wayne was sort of getting on board, but he was still pulling his punches. There are hints of deeper, darker stuff in the story, but it's really a family film and so they opt for sentimentality instead.

The Coens version, which is about as perfect as a film can be, goes back to the source and digs into that stuff the previous version avoided, but also manage to maintain the humor and the general feel of a classic western. No swearing, no overdoing the gore, etc. It's a pretty phenomenal achievement.

I look forward to seeing it. I've since gotten a copy of the original but haven't watched it just yet. I be-bopped through most of the BBC collection of movies you did your write up on instead.

The Duke has many films worth watching. Western fans should all have seen:

Stagecoach
Red River
Rio Bravo
The Searchers
The Shootist

Those immediately come to mind.

Also, if you want to see an interesting transitional cowboy picture, 1968's The Stalking Moon with Gregory Peck is excellent. It's the last movie I review in this set: http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/34976/wa ... ollection/

going off of Jamie's list-
Stagecoach is one i always thought was more revered for it's historical significance than necessarily being entertaining, but it's been ages since i last watched it

Rio Bravo, Red River and the searchers are great movies (Red River being the weakest of the 3 an the searchers being the absolute best)

the Shootist is wonderful as well. a fitting ending to a long, full career.

-josh
that's my opinion, and I'M A TEXAN!

Then I think it's about time that I gave John Wayne a try. Not against him, as I said, just... I don't know.

The historical significance of Stagecoach sounds pretty good to me, since I'm a history-ish kid.

Having watched Stagecoach with its DVD release earlier this year, I found it to be really entertaining. The big shoot-out has some pretty amazing stunts, and the character interaction was solid.

I wrote a long review of it, if you're interested: http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/42361/stagecoach/

A nice review, but I glossed through the parts about the plot so I wouldn't spoil it for myself.

I'm looking forward to seeing it and picking out the parts with backdrops from the actual landscape.

yeah, like i said, it's been like 20 years since i last watched Stagecoach. i think it's on Netflix instant view so maybe i'll give it another look

-josh

The Searchers! The Shootist! Great films!

I want to see True Grit so bad! Can't wait!

Still...my favorite western is probably High Noon...