Directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. An ex-gunslinger bad guy William Munny and his old friend take on one last job, to collect a reward after a violent attack on a prostitute. Motives and relationships are complex in this movie with unexpected twists and a lot of raw emotion. Deals with the ugly, violent aspects of the Old West. A masterpiece. Won 4 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

If I was on a desert island and could only pick one boxed set to watch ‘til the end of time, it would be "The Man With No Name" trilogy by Sergio Leone. Leone knows what makes up a good Western and captures it uniquely like no other director. He famously took close-ups to a new level. He maintained integrity while adding a dash of tongue-in-cheek humor. Starring a young and dashing Clint Eastwood.

Another gem by Italian director Sergio Leone, filmed in Spain, Italy and Utah. Four people whose intricate lives intertwine weave a rich tapestry of a tale. From stylish gun battles and ruthless bad guys (Henry Fonda) to a young woman looking for a fresh start, this movie is packed with subplots. Features Leone's trademark gorgeous scenery and cinematography.

Worth seeing for the stuntwork alone by Yakima Canutt in the famous scene where the coach is being chased by the Indians. John Wayne's on-screen personna was often based on Canutt's real one, and the two developed stunt and screen fighting techniques together. This movie began the long working relationship between John Ford, one of the most influential directors in movie history, and John Wayne.

In this made-for-TV movie miniseries, Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones star as two former Texas rangers and cowboys who organize one last 2,500-mile cattle drive and get more than they bargained for. Angelica Huston plays the love of Gus's life, whom he never marries. These characters endured hard lives without complaint. An emotional tale. Nominated for 19 Emmys and won 7.

This film will not appeal to everyone. It has director Kevin Costner's signature epic style, in which no detail is lost. It appeals to me. There has never been another movie like it. Similar to The Searchers in that it deals with the uneasy relationship between Native Americans and the Old West populace. A love story and the tale of one man's journey of self-discovery. Won 7 Oscars.

John Wayne as a small-town sheriff who enlists the help of a drunk, a cripple, and a young gunfighter to hold in jail the brother of the local bad guy. Directed by John Ford. Notable for its almost complete absence of close-ups. Features a long opening with no dialogue. Many feel this is the Western others should be judged by. Tiomkin's music influenced Sergio Leone's "A Fistful of Dollars" score.

The Ox-Bow Incident is a little-known, must-see Western about a lynch mob. Made in 1943, it was nominated for an Oscar. Done in entirely black-and-white. Stellar cast, great script and scenery. This one will stay with you long after you've watched it.

Arguably Charlton Heston's finest performance ever. An aging, nomadic cowboy gets a job on a large cattle ranch only to find his isolated cabin is already occupied by a woman and her young son. He has to deal with the sadistic Quint family and reconcile his desire for privacy with a newly discovered desire for family life. Heston said this was his favorite film in which he appeared.