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Summary
While it ’s always fun to take in an incredibleWesternmovie about cowhand , gunslingers , and outlaws , not everybody has the metre for a three - time of day epic and would much rather relish shorter movies under 90 mo long . Western runtimes , along with most other genres , have become much longer over the past few decades , but during the music genre ’s heyday , it was much more common to recover little Western adventures that did not take up the entire eventide . With splendid tempo , plenty of military action , and just as much shot and combat , short westerly movies pack a lot into their throttle runtimes .
The safe Western moviesthat time in at under 90 minutes included some of the greatest Westerns ever made , as the limited runtime meant every second had to count . Without waste time on overlong setups or tiresome expounding , brusk Western movies represented the writing style in its purest formand even included unlike subgenres like scientific discipline fiction Westerns . Although there was capital virtue in long , sprawling , multi - hour Western movies , other times , a swift , no - nonsense , less than 90 - hour adventure was precisely what the Wild West doctor ordered .
10Bad Day At Black Rock (1955)
Runtime: 81 minutes
The neo - WesternBad Day at Black Rocktold the story of a one - armed stranger ( Spencer Tracey ) who total into a small desert town and uncovered an evil mystery that had grease one’s palms the integral residential area . As a criminal offence drama that contained revisionist Western constituent , Bad Day at Black Rockhighlighted American discrimination against the Japanese during World War II and was a powerful indictment of racism and McCarthyism . With a compelling sense of justice , this cliff-hanging Western highlighted the destructive consequences of secrecy and deceit .
Bad Day at Black Rockdeserved to be remembered among the dear Westerns of its eraas its deeply layered and nuanced report address pressing contemporary concerns . Tracey gave one of his very in effect performances as John J. Macreedy , the mysterious man who was stopped at every turn from uncovering the truth about the tightlipped townspeople of Black Rock . At just 81 minute long , Bad Day at Black Rockpacked a lot of melodramatic stress into its fleet runtime .
9Three Hours To Kill (1954)
Runtime: 77 minutes
Viewers wo n’t require three to kill to enjoy the unbelievable Alfred L. Werker WesternThree time of day to Kill , which , at just 77 minutes long , pile raft of action into its short runtime . A fascinating westerly whodunnit , Three 60 minutes to Kill , told the chronicle of Jim Guthrie ( Dana Andrews ) , who , three year before , was frame for murder and split town before he was due to be lynch for a criminal offense he did n’t commit . As a wanted fugitive , tenseness were gamy when Jim return to his townspeople to find the homo who really committed the crime .
With a scrape around his neck from his close copse with destruction , Jim inThree Hours to Killwas a compelling Western hero on a quest to clear his nameand bring the perpetrator to justice . An influential Western drama , Three hr to shoot down , inspire Roger Corman ’s noted WesternThe Gunslinger , made just two years afterwards ( viaSense of Cinema . ) With a unattackable casting and incredible tempo , Three hour to Killwas a compelling anti - lynching movie that utilized its brief runtime well .
8Old Yeller (1957)
Runtime: 84 minutes
Cast
Set in the late 1860s , Old Yeller follows untested Travis Coates as he bonds with a stray dog named Old Yeller , who becomes a darling member of the folk . Facing hardships and risk on the Texas frontier , Travis learn valuable lessons of loyalty and courageousness . When cataclysm strike and rabies threaten their residential district , Travis must make a heart - wrenching determination about his beloved companion ’s destiny , shaping his understanding of responsibility and departure .
The Walt Disney Western dramaOld Yellertold the timeless tale of a boy and his dog-iron that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages . It is a touching story about a teenager who spring up to sleep with a isolated yellowish dog that everybody else thought was a good - for - nothing mutt ; however , before long , there was nobody who did not apprise the genial canine scream Old Yeller . WhileOld Yellerwas not a traditional outlaw and shooter style Western , as a story arrange in the 1860s , it featured plenteousness of cowboy and beautiful Wild West scene .
Old Yeller ’s death was truly one of the sad scenes in cinematic chronicle , as the talented dog actor Spike play his part to perfection .
The powerful bond between a boy and his cad was key to Old Yeller ’s news report , and more than 65 yr after its first release , it has remain a memorable touchstone in democratic refinement . Full of dear vulnerability , Old Yeller ’s decease was truly one of the saddest scenery in cinematic history , as the talented frankfurter histrion Spike played his part to perfection . At just 84 minutes long , Old Yellerwas an worked up rollercoaster that stayed with audience long after the credits rolled .
7Wild Bill Hickok Rides (1942)
Runtime: 82 minutes
For westerly buff take care for a quick classic risky venture , wait no further thanWild Bill Hickok Rides , which , at just 82 minutes long , was full of shoot-‘em - up action . With authoritative Hollywood icons like Constance Bennett and Bruce Cabot among the cast , Wild Bill Hickok Ridestold the account of a casino - own saloon entertainer called Belle Andrews who enlisted the help of the soldier Bill Hickok to lot with the vicious activities that have hire over her validation . base on the real sept hero Wild Bill , Wild Bill Hickok Rideswas an underappreciated 1940s westerly gem .
As an entertaining Western B complex - motion picture , Wild Bill Hickok Rideswas an action - packed , tight - step exposure with a talented cast that scourge no time in delivering gamey - thrills Wild West excitement . With tight - talking dialog , batch of shoot - ups , horse cavalry galloping , and lynch mobs , Wild Bill Hickok Rideswas wedge - full of pleasurable Western tropes and clichés . While it did n’t break down any boundaries within the Western genre , Wild Bill Hickok Rideswas plenty of fun with a sleek runtime .
6The Hired Gun (1957)
Runtime: 64 minutes
Clocking in at just over an 60 minutes , The Hired Gunwas a swift Western movie that stood as one of the most underrated westerly movies of the 1950s despite its incredibly unretentive runtime . Directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Rory Calhoun and Annie Francis , The Hired Gunwas the story of a woman who broke out of jail before her hanging and the human being hired to bring her back . A fast - impress , well - acted westerly , The Hired Guncontained aspects of crime , investigator , and whodunnit genres all pack into its reduced runtime .
While it ’s true that most viewers could visualize out the mysteries within the tale ofThe Hired Gunafter watching the opening few minutes , the best stories were always about the journey and not the address . With beautiful shot , effectual cinematography , and salutary performances , there was a lot to savour about this dark story of a deuced woman . With a unique flavor and exciting conception , the biggest geological fault ofThe employ Gunwas that it was too short , and its characters were n’t give enough metre to get and make it the best interlingual rendition of this story .
5Taggart (1964)
Runtime: 85 minutes
Taggartwas a little - do it low - budget Western about vigilante justice and a son who seek retaliation for the murder of his parent . With a gifted cast , Taggartstarred Tony Young as Kent Taggart , the vengeful son who , in turn , kill the son of his parent ’s killer whale , Ben Blazer , which set in motion the bloody story ofthis action - pack Western . With whole direction from R. G. Springsteen , Taggartfeatured one dangerous position after another as it contained the perfect balance of action and drama .
At just 85 minute in length , Taggartwas based on a novel by Louis L’Amour , who was lie with for his many acclaimed frontier Western story . Taggart feature good characters , strong performances , and a compelling villain played by Dan Duryea , although it does n’t quite match up to the very unspoiled horse opera from this epoch . Nevertheless , Taggartwas a lot of playfulness and deserving check out for those look for a quick Western fix .
4Westworld (1973)
Runtime: 88 minutes
Westworldwas a 1973sci - fi Western moviewritten and head by Michael Crichton , the Maker ofJurassic Park , which also served as the ground for the later HBO series of the same name . While the television adaptation ofWestworlddelved much further into its concept ’s philosophical and psychoanalytical ramifications , the originalWestworldmovie was an activity - take adventure based around a Western - themed amusement commons . At just 88 minutes long , Westworldwas a clever subversive activity of westerly image that tackled present-day reverence around technology .
With Western legend Yul Brynner cast as a robotic cowhand known as the Gunslinger , Westworldcreated a fascinating cinematic macrocosm that play into many old Western atomic number 5 - movie tropes . The fact thatWestworldwas resuscitate after 43 age on television was a testament to the strength of its construct and the profundity to which it could be explored . With such a marvelous premiss and so much worldbuilding , Westworldwas an impressive feat for a movie under 90 minutes long .
3Smoke Signal (1955)
dope Signalstarred Dana Andrews and Piper Laurie in a Western moving picture that showcased the changing attitudes toward depict Native Americans in Old West feature films . As the story of a cavalry defector bring up Brett Halliday who faced court martial for treason for assisting Ute kindred appendage flee a dangerous river , unlike most ‘ cowboy and Amerind ’ stories , this showcased the hero working alongside the indigenous population . Despite the themes of adoption inSmoke Signal , Halliday ’s acts pose him as a traitor , and he was hold up prisoner .
Smoke Singalwas directed by Jerry Hopper , who made a name for himself primarily as a goggle box manager on series likeThe Addam ’s Family , Gilligan ’s Island , andPerry Mason . At just 88 minutes long , Smoke Signalwas a lesser - make love Westernthat seldom got discussed amongthe best Westerns from the 1950sdespite its politically correct messaging . With deal of chill and a then unambiguously positive depiction of Native American tribes , Smoke Signaldeserved to be remembered as a trailblazing celluloid .
2The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)
Runtime: 75 minutes
As anincredible black - and - white Western moving picture , The Ox - Bow Incidentwas an other instance of a psychological dramatic play with a much benighted feeling than the more upbeat and fantastical Western movies seen throughout the 1940s . The Ox - Bow Incidentwas an acclaimed Western that was even nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award , which it lost out on toCasablancain a solid year for movies . With a knock-down story about man divide on whether to lynch a man , The Ox - Bow Incidenteffectively take on sullen theme .
look back onThe Ox - Bow Incident today , it ’s easy to see that this was a westerly far ahead of its time , but sadly , it was not a commercial-grade success during its original release . The complex and deeply psychological report at the nitty-gritty ofThe Ox - Bow Incidentwas just too dark for contemporary audiences , but this was also why it still gets utter about with such reverence today . At just 75 proceedings long , it ’s telling how muchThe Ox - BowIncident reach with its limited runtime .
1High Noon (1952)
While Western legend John Wayne magnificently hatedHigh Noon , it has been refer as a dearie by several former U.S. chairwoman .
The fact thatHigh Noonclocked in at just 85 proceedings was an stupefying accomplishment , as , for such a short film , it put up as one of the greatest westerly movies ever produced . WhileHigh Noonwas a controversial movie in 1952 due to perceive political root relating to McCarthyism and blacklisting in Hollywood , this willingness to tackle serious subjects was also part of the understanding it has maintained its ingathering more than 70 age later . Although Western legendJohn Wayne famously hatedHigh Noon , it has been summons as a deary by several former U.S. presidents ( viaThe Independent . )
High Noontold the story of Marsal Will Kane ( Gary Cooper ) , who was forced to decide between leaving town with his wife ( Grace Kelly ) or stay to confront a gang of killers . take place in real - prison term , High Noonwas a compelling Western that deal sinewy themes relating to duty and the order of magnitude of the law . An iconic picture with an impressive bequest and cultural influence , High Noonwas an early example of the revisionist Western musical genre that was lead off to take a more naturalistic look at the previously almost mythic portrait of the Old West in motion-picture show .
Sources : sentiency of Cinema , The Independent
Custom image by Yalin Chacon.
Set in the late 1860s, Old Yeller follows young Travis Coates as he bonds with a stray dog named Old Yeller, who becomes a beloved member of the family. Facing hardships and dangers on the Texas frontier, Travis learns valuable lessons of loyalty and courage. When tragedy strikes and rabies threatens their community, Travis must make a heart-wrenching decision about his beloved companion’s fate, shaping his understanding of responsibility and loss.
