The Shootist - 4/5

This movie is a thoughtful, melancholy look at the Western genre. Casting John Wayne in the lead lends a lot of depth to the role, since the film is an introspection on the kinds of films he’s known for starring in. It’s not heavy on action, though there’s enough, and the narrative is more interested in what it is to be a gunfighter and what that does to someone over a lifetime of violence. It’s a well-conceived story and excellently acted, definitely worth a watch for anyone who’s a fan of the classic John Wayne westerns.

Closest comparison: It’s like Wild Strawberries by way of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

Setting: Western
Plot: Reminiscence
Tone: Drama

Stagecoach (1939) - 4/5

This film is so classic that seemingly all other movies featuring stagecoaches pulled from it, even modern films like The Hateful Eight and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. It’s one of the great John Ford westerns, and even after all this time still holds up to modern viewing. There are plenty of great character moments slathered on top of the rich western setting and the solid underlying story, and it’s the characters that carry the film and make it so memorable even today.

Closest comparison: It’s like the final vignette in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs by way of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

Setting: Western
Plot: Confined Strangers
Tone: Adventure