10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

The Western genre is one that has stood the test of time since its earliest inceptions in folktales, stories, and novels. It is generally defined by rigid, overarching themes that encompass all aspects of the film, from location, to the frontier backdrop, the best Western characters, narratives, and everything else that makes up the classic, ‘traditional’ Western. Some filmmakers either turn some of these conventions on their heads or put their own spin on a dimension that takes the usual traditions and creates something else entirely.

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

These films all take the frontier style, deserted town location and breathe fresh life into the setting, with films The Good, The Bad, And The Weird, and Bone Tomahawk being excellent examples. The former subverts the usual expectations and uses a different country and its culture, and the latter puts an unexpected horror twist on what should have been a typical backdrop. Though many of these films honor the core ideals and themes of the best Western films, the unique or genre-bending location creates an epic new environment.

10 Ghost Town (1988)

Directed By Richard Governor

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

See more : Who is Seán Finn? Seán Finn Bio, Playing Career, Statistics, Honours

Your comment has not been saved

Ghost Town RHorrorWestern

Ghost Town is a 1988 supernatural western film where Deputy Langley searches for a kidnapped girl in a seemingly abandoned town, only to find it haunted by the spirits of an outlaw named Devlin and his gang, who have trapped the townspeople’s spirits and can only be defeated by a lawman.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US Director Richard Governor Release Date May 26, 1988 Writers Duke Sandefur Cast Catherine Hickland , Franc Luz , Jimmie F. Skaggs , Bruce Glover , Zitto Kazann , Laura Schaefer , Michael Alldredge , Penelope Windust Runtime 85 minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

Ghost Town is a supernatural Western that blends into elements of horror with the old traditions of the genre to create a unique and entertaining combination. The film, directed by Richard Governor (Richard McCarthy), stars Franc Luz and Catherine Hickland and tells the story of an Arizona Sheriff who goes looking for a missing woman before entering a ghost town where he is visited by haunting apparitions. The film’s eerie, paranormal setting takes it away from the traditional Western while keeping elements like the lone hero and shootouts that firmly keep it in the genre.

Related 10 Movie Westerns With Absolutely Gorgeous Cinematography

Westerns are typically a genre filled with gorgeous cinematography, and this trend goes way back to the birth of the genre in the ‘40s and ‘50s.

Posts2

Based on a story by screenwriter David Schmoeller, the film is successful in balancing the two opposing genres and merging them into one seamless, engaging film. Though the acting, set pieces, and special effects are all brilliant and play a pivotal role in the film’s enjoyment, the narrative has been criticized for being too straightforward with little room for surprise or shock, even inside a horror framework. Overall, the film accomplishes what it sets out to do, and the use of a ghost town to tell a mysterious story encapsulates the theme perfectly.

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

9 Dead Birds (2004)

Directed By Alex Turner

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

See more : Who is Seán Finn? Seán Finn Bio, Playing Career, Statistics, Honours

Your comment has not been saved

Dead Birds Not RatedHorrorThrillerWestern

Dead Birds is a horror-western film set during the American Civil War. A group of Confederate deserters, led by William (Henry Thomas), seeks refuge in an abandoned plantation only to encounter supernatural forces. As the night unfolds, they must confront terrifying entities within the haunted house. The film blends elements of horror and suspense, creating an atmosphere of dread and unpredictability.

Director Alex Turner Writers Simon Barrett Cast Henry Thomas , Michael Shannon , Nicki Aycox , Patrick Fugit , Muse Watson , Mark Boone Junior , Isaiah Washington , Donna Biscoe Runtime 91 Minutes Main Genre Horror Release Date February 13, 2005 Expand

Dead Birds, directed by Alex Turner in his most recognized work, is a Western that, like Ghost Town, blends in elements of horror and the paranormal to make a blended genre unique to itself. The film’s plot is set during the Civil War and follows a group of Confederate soldiers who deserted the war effort in search of fortune by committing a bank robbery. The movie takes a sinister twist when they decide to stop and hold up in an abandoned plantation, where the mansion and surrounding area reveal a host of supernatural creatures.

Dead Birds
holds a score of 60% on film rating site Rotten Tomatoes.

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

A haunted, abandoned plantation isn’t the typical Western setting, though it does still contain some of the old West frontier aesthetics, with the Civil War backdrop tying it all together. The cast includes actors like Henry Thomas, Nicki Aycox, and Isaiah Washington, who all do a solid job in their portrayals and give convincing performances even with the paranormal scenes taking center stage throughout the film. Overall, the Lovecraftian elements and intense atmosphere throughout create a unique Western in a surprisingly effective setting.

8 Dust Devil (1992)

Directed By Richard Stanley

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

See more : Who is Seán Finn? Seán Finn Bio, Playing Career, Statistics, Honours

Your comment has not been saved

Dust Devil RHorrorWestern

Dust Devil is a 1992 horror film directed by Richard Stanley, set in the desolate landscapes of Namibia. The film follows a mysterious hitchhiker known as the Dust Devil, who possesses supernatural abilities and preys on lost souls. As a detective attempts to track him down, a young woman on the brink of despair becomes entwined in his dark and ominous path.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US Director Richard Stanley Release Date October 13, 1992 Studio(s) Palace Pictures , Film Four International Distributor(s) PolyGram Video Writers Richard Stanley Cast Robert Burke , Chelsea Field , Zakes Mokae , John Matshikiza Runtime 108 Minutes Expand

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

Richard Stanley’s Dust Devil sees a re-interpretation of the story of a serial killer from South Africa known as Nhadiep in this haunting British horror with Western elements and ideals. The film is set about as far away from the American frontier as possible, in Namibia, in South Africa, and follows the story of a mysterious, paranormal man (Robert Hitch) who wanders the desert in search of potential victims. The local villagers believe he is a ‘Dust Devil‘ a being that sacrifices humans for supernatural ceremonies and can shape-shift into various forms.

Related 10 Best Slow-Burn Westerns

While many Westerns in the genre go for all-out action, some prefer a more contemplative and measured pace, like High Noon and No Country for Old Men.

Posts

The desolate and almost empty setting, combined with the ominous atmosphere, provides an incredibly chilling feel throughout the film. Far from the familiarity and sensibilities of the American landscape, the setting in Nambia is a stark contrast that provides a base for much of the narrative, with the very desert even anthropomorphizing to literally become a character. Overall, the film hits its objectives and puts a Western twist on an African folk horror tale, with the setting having just as much influence as the director and actors.

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

7 The Valley Of Gwangi (1969)

Directed By Jim O’Connolly

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

See more : Who is Seán Finn? Seán Finn Bio, Playing Career, Statistics, Honours

Your comment has not been saved

The Valley of Gwangi GFantasyScience FictionThrillerWesternAdventure

The Valley of Gwangi merges western and fantasy elements in this 1969 film, where a struggling wild west show in Mexico discovers a tiny prehistoric horse. An expedition to the Forbidden Valley ensues, revealing living dinosaurs that are captured for display, resulting in unforeseen chaos.

Director Jim O’Connolly Release Date July 24, 1969 Writers William Bast Cast Gila Golan , James Franciscus , Richard Carlson , Laurence Naismith , Freda Jackson , Gustavo Rojo , Dennis Kilbane , Mario De Barros , Curtis Arden Runtime 96 minutes

Science fiction Western The Valley Of Gwangi, directed by the underrated Jim O’Connolly, sees a group of cowboys discovering a valley that is inhabited by prehistoric dinosaurs. The overarching story is a combination of several influences, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s book The Lost World, with added elements from King Kong by Willis O’Brien – who created the film’s special effects. It combines many elements of classic Westerns like a squad of cowboys on a mission, to sci-fi elements with innovative filming techniques to create a beautiful amalgamation of worlds.

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

The story follows the gang as they enter the forbidden valley and get attacked by the dinosaurs and other prehistoric specimens, that are filmed using stop-motion animation effects. This unusual technique, combined with the authentic Western elements and the overall originality of the narrative creates a true spectacle of cinema that feels like it could be too much, but in fact, delivers across the board. The Valley Of Gwangi has become a firm cult classic in the Western genre, with Ray Harryhausen’s epic special effects and expert character development throughout the narrative.

6 Rango (2011)

Directed By Gore Verbinski

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

See more : Who is Seán Finn? Seán Finn Bio, Playing Career, Statistics, Honours

Your comment has not been saved

6.3/10 Rango PGAnimationActionAdventure

Rango is an animated comedy that stars Johnny Depp as a pampered pet chameleon named Rango, who finds himself lost in the desert when he falls out of his family’s truck. Rango accidentally stumbles into the role of a sheriff for a town under control by a greedy baron who limits access to water for his citizens to make more money. When Rango meets a young woman that catches his fancy, he’ll utilize his acquired knowledge of Hollywood westerns to assume the role of a Sheriff to win her heart and save the town – if he isn’t found out first. 

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US Director Gore Verbinski Release Date March 4, 2011 Studio(s) Nickelodeon Movies , Blind Wink Productions , GK Films Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers John Logan , Gore Verbinski , James Ward Byrkit Cast Johnny Depp , Isla Fisher , Timothy Olyphant , Abigail Breslin , Ned Beatty , Alfred Molina , Bill Nighy , Stephen Root , Harry Dean Stanton , Ray Winstone , Ian Abercrombie , Blake Clark Runtime 107 Minutes Expand

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

In potentially the most unique and underrated Western in modern times, Rango is an animated film directed by Gore Verbinski about a charismatic chameleon voiced by Johnny Depp. The film follows Rango as he accidentally finds himself in the dusty Old West town of Dirt; taking on a hardened, tough-guy persona, he, extremely fortunately, wins a duel against a local outlaw and is briskly promoted to the town’s sheriff. Rango then must deal with a multitude of issues, including stopping the crooked Mayor of a nearby town and resupplying Dirt with much-needed water supplies.

Related 10 Best Westerns That Are Over 3 Hours Long

The Western genre lends itself to epic narratives, with great films over three hours long like Dances with Wolves making a case for longer Westerns.

Posts1

Though it could be classed as taking creative license, any Western film that is set in a town with talking animals that features a nine-banded armadillo called Roadkill that summons water through mystical means is definitely an unusual setting. The film features an ensemble cast of gifted actors who all voice their parts perfectly, with their impeccable delivery combined with beautiful animation and a narrative and characters that truly pay homage to Western trademarks. Rango is full of hilarious dialogue and stunning, surreal sequences, making it a true gem in the Western genre.

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

5 The Proud Rebel (1958)

Directed By Michael Curtiz

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

See more : Who is Seán Finn? Seán Finn Bio, Playing Career, Statistics, Honours

Your comment has not been saved

The Proud Rebel PGWestern

The Proud Rebel is a 1958 film about a Confederate veteran searching for a doctor to cure his son’s muteness. Unjustly jailed in a small town, he is aided by a local woman who enlists his help on her ranch, leading to conflicts with a landowner seeking her property.

Director Michael Curtiz Release Date July 1, 1958 Writers Joseph Petracca Cast Alan Ladd , Olivia de Havilland , Dean Jagger , David Ladd , Cecil Kellaway , Harry Dean Stanton , Tom Pittman , Henry Hull , Eli Mintz , John Carradine , James Westerfield , King , Percy Helton , Dan White , Mary Wickes Runtime 103 minutes

Michael Curtiz’s The Proud Rebel is an emotionally captivating Western based on a short story by eminent author James Edward Grant. It follows the story of a Confederate veteran who has been recently widowed and moves further across the country to make a new life for himself and help for his son, who has turned mute with grief. Changing location doesn’t immediately bring any relief as the Yankee townsfolk talk down to him, showing a generational prejudice for his past actions, with the film deftly exploring themes of politics, war, family, and redemption.

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

The 10 Best Westerns With Unusual Settings On This List:	IMDb Rating:
Ghost Town (1988)	5.3/10
Dead Birds (2004)	5.6/10
Dust Devil (1992)	6.2/10
The Valley Of Gwangi (1969)	6.2/10
Rango (2011)	7.3/10
The Proud Rebel (1958)	6.9/10
The Man From Snowy River (1982)	7.2/10
See more : Where to Find Mjolnir in Dave the Diver? El Topo (1970)	7.2/10
Bone Tomahawk (2015)	7.1/10
The Good, The Bad, And The Weird (2008)	7.2/10

Though the setting isn’t wildly different from the stereotypical Western, the journey to a different, more modernized town is a subtle yet stark difference from the usual frontier town with gunslingers and villains. The black-and-white ideals and tropes from the genre have been stripped back to characters with more nuance and development that sees the Western produce a quieter and more emotional narrative. Though the film has less action and a slower pace, it’s this introspective look, combined with exceptional lead performances, that makes it such a top-quality film.

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

4 The Man From Snowy River (1982)

Directed By George T. Miller

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

See more : Who is Seán Finn? Seán Finn Bio, Playing Career, Statistics, Honours

Your comment has not been saved

The Man from Snowy River PGDramaRomanceAdventureWesternFamily

The Man from Snowy River is an Australian drama following young Jim Craig, who must leave his mountain home after his father’s death to find work in the lowlands. Seeking to reclaim his family’s farm, Jim navigates the challenges and dynamics of life beyond his familiar high country.

Director George T. Miller Release Date March 25, 1982 Writers John Dixon Cast Sigrid Thornton , Tom Burlinson , Terence Donovan , Kirk Douglas , Jack Thompson , Tommy Dysart , Tony Bonner , Chris Haywood , Gus Mercurio , June Jago , Bruce Kerr , David Bradshaw , Kristopher Steele , Howard Eynon , Lorraine Bayly , John Nash , Jack Lovick , Charlie Lovick , John Lovick , Frank Hearn , Jack Purcell , Gerald Egan , Ken Connley , Mick Hulse , Max Scanlon Runtime 104 minutes Expand

Another film set far away from the Old West of the United States, The Man From Snowy River, directed by George T. Miller, is set in the Australian outback. The film follows a young male protagonist named Jim Craig (Tom Burlinson) who, after the untimely passing of his father, sets out to make his own way in life, looking to become a respect horse rancher. Though the more experienced cowboys make his life hard, he finds a spark with the Ranch owner’s daughter and must overcome personal and professional obstacles in order to win her hand.

Related 10 Best Animated Western Movies

The intersection of Western iconography and animation can produce some incredible results, from family-friendly adventures of devastating dramas.

Posts
✕ Remove Ads

The Man From Snowy River is a film that leans into many traditional Western tropes, with cowboys, horse-riding, and one man’s struggles against adversity, but rather than shy away from its Australian roots, it fully embraces them. The beautiful landscapes paired with Keith Wagstaff’s cinematography create many stunning sequences, with the chemistry between the leads and the horse-riding action also elevating the film. The Australian outback is a perfect location for a Western, with a similar look and atmosphere while capturing something in its essence that is totally unique.

3 El Topo (1970)

Directed By Alejandro Jodorowsky

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

See more : Who is Seán Finn? Seán Finn Bio, Playing Career, Statistics, Honours

Your comment has not been saved

El Topo Western

El Topo, directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a surreal Western that follows a mysterious gunslinger on a quest for spiritual enlightenment. Set against the backdrop of a desolate landscape, the film explores themes of morality, religion, and redemption through a series of allegorical encounters and trials. Renowned for its avant-garde style, El Topo has gained a cult following for its unique blend of mysticism and brutality.

Director Alejandro Jodorowsky Release Date December 18, 1970 Studio(s) Producciones Panicas Distributor(s) ABKCO Films Writers Alejandro Jodorowsky Cast Alejandro Jodorowsky , Brontis Jodorowsky , Mara Lorenzio , David Silva , Paula Romo , Jacqueline Luis Runtime 124 Minutes Main Genre Western Expand

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

El Topo, directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a Mexican acid western – a Western subgenre that combines traditional ideals with Spaghetti Western’s larger-than-life elements with surrealist imagery and frequently with drug use. El Topo (The Mole) is a man who is traveling across the desert on horseback with his naked son, Hijo, who encounters a wild series of events, situations, and characters in a gunfighting spiritual journey. The film is set in a bizarre desert that provides the backdrop for his escapades, confronting gruesome beings and facing a myriad of existential nightmares.

There are many sequences that are deeply disturbing punctuated by moments of enlightenment and spiritual awakenings that make the whole film feel like a fever dream.

In one scene, El Topo awakes from a random cave in the desert to find himself being taken care of and loved by a tribe of deformed outcasts, which goes some way to explaining the crazed narrative and atmosphere of the film. There are many sequences that are deeply disturbing, punctuated by moments of enlightenment and spiritual awakenings that make the whole film feel like a fever dream. The film pulls out all the stops in every aspect, from the acting, characters, score, direction, and setting, it creates one of the most expansive Western experiences of all time.

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

2 Bone Tomahawk (2015)

Directed By S. Craig Zahler

Your Rating

10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review

See more : Who is Seán Finn? Seán Finn Bio, Playing Career, Statistics, Honours

Your comment has not been saved

27 8.6/10 Bone Tomahawk Not RatedWesternAdventureDocumentaryHorrorThriller

Bone Tomahawk is a Western film that follows Sheriff Franklin Hunt, who gathers together a group of fighters to save three kidnapped victims from a clan of cannibals. After the town’s doctor is kidnapped along with two others, forcing the sheriff to partner with the town’s Native American professor and find the tribe before it’s too late.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US Director S. Craig Zahler Release Date October 23, 2015 Writers S. Craig Zahler Cast Patrick Wilson , Kurt Russell , Sean Young , Lili Simmons , Matthew Fox , Zahn McClarnon Runtime 132 minutes

S. Craig Zahler’s Western horror Bone Tomahawk is one of the most different and original Westerns produced in recent memory. It stars Kurt Russell as the stern Sheriff Hunt, who leads a gang of men to rescue hostages from a tribe of Native American cannibals collectively known as ‘Troglodytes’ in incredibly hostile territory. As the group further ventures into the unknown, the Western elements peel back to reveal the true horror that awaits them, and the palpable fear and atmosphere rise to boiling point during the epic battle at the film’s climax.

Related Why Kurt Russell Says Bone Tomahawk Isn’t A “Horror Western,” But Still Compares It To His Classic Horror Movie With 85% On RT

Kurt Russell has claimed that Bone Tomahawk is not a “horror western,” making it hard not to wonder why he compared it with an 85% RT horror flick.

Posts2
✕ Remove Ads

The brilliance of Bone Tomahawk lies in its subversion yet celebration of Western elements that make its horrific sequences and underlying terrifying premise so effective. It has the hard-nosed sheriff, the cowboys, and the posse looking to saddle up and take care of business, but its setting in a disturbed, sacred valley full of cannibalistic Native Americans make it a wholly unique proposition. The build-up and pacing throughout the film by Zahler is nothing short of masterful, with excellent performances and beautiful action sequences, it’s a Western not to be missed.

1 The Good, The Bad, And The Weird (2008)

Directed By Kim Jee-Woon

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

The Good, The Bad, and The Weird is Kim Jee-woon’s incredible reimagining of the legendary director Sergio Leone’s classic The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly – one of the most famous and acclaimed Westerns of all time. The film’s premise is similar to the Spaghetti Western, with three various outlaws all coming together to form an unlikely partnership that sees an adventure of violence, theft, and riches and every combination thereof. The film pays a beautiful homage to Leone’s groundbreaking film while also making incredible use of its 1930s Manchuria setting.

A Western set in the ‘puppet state’ of the Empire of Japan in Northern China before the start of World War II seems about as far removed from tradition as you can get. Its unique setting provides an excellent backdrop for the stunning cinematography and brutally violent action scenes, with innovative camera work and direction that make it stand apart from the original. The Good, The Bad, And The Weird is, in itself, a groundbreaking work that takes the Western genre and transports it to a new world, showing the ideals, tropes, and visuals can work in any location.

✕ Remove Ads

You are watching: 10 Westerns With Unusual Settings

Source: https://www.phonggdkrongpac.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment