Essential Top 20 Films: Difference between revisions

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| <span style="font-size:400%;">6</span>
| <span style="font-size:400%;">6</span>
| '''[[A Fistful of Dollars|A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS]]''', [[Sergio Leone]] (1964)
| '''[[A Fistful of Dollars|A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS]]''', [[Sergio Leone]] (1964)
This is where it all started, the movie that got the ball rolling. Leone's remake of Akira Kurosawa's '''Yojimo''' put the then unknown TV actor [[Clint Eastwood]] on the map and established his style and the use of extraordinary music by [[Ennio Morricone]].
This is where it all started, the movie that got the ball rolling. Leone's remake of Akira Kurosawa's '''Yojimbo''' put the then unknown TV actor [[Clint Eastwood]] on the map and established his style and the use of extraordinary music by [[Ennio Morricone]].


Community vote score: (1.133 points)
Community vote score: (1.133 points)
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| <span style="font-size:400%;">9</span>
| <span style="font-size:400%;">9</span>
| '''[[Death Rides a Horse|DEATH RIDES A HORSE]]''', [[Giulio Petroni]] (1967)
| '''[[Death Rides a Horse|DEATH RIDES A HORSE]]''', [[Giulio Petroni]] (1967)
Gunslinger mentor and trainee, a very popular theme in the genre, here depicted by [[Lee Van Cleef]] and [[John Phillip Law]], with a beautifully haunting score by [[Ennio Morricone]].
gunslinger mentor and trainee, a very popular theme in the genre, here depicted by [[Lee Van Cleef]] and [[John Phillip Law]], with a beautifully haunting score by [[Ennio Morricone]].


Community vote score: (676 points)
Community vote score: (676 points)

Revision as of 20:10, 11 September 2010

These twenty films were voted by our community as the essential films of the genre. More information on our voting procedure and where to find those that didn't make the top 20 you'll find at the bottom of the page. For an introduction to the genre, please visit our Introduction.

1 THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY, Sergio Leone (1966)

Ennio Morricone's theme is world-known, even to people unaware of its origins. This lengthy, but beautifully balanced western is held by most to be THE spaghetti western. The three-way show down between Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach is legendary.

Community vote score: (2.070 points)

Buono.jpg
2 ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, Sergio Leone (1968)

Made to be the spaghetti western to end all spaghetti westerns, Leone's opus is both a hommage to the American western and as through and through Italian as can be. He turned Henry Fonda into a badboy and let Ennio Morricone give themes to all the characters, played also by Charles Bronson, the unforgettable Claudia Cardinale and Jason Robards. The harmonica is just as famous as the coyote howl of our No.1.

Community vote score: (1.741 points)

West8.jpg
3 FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE, Sergio Leone (1965)

Clint Eastwood returns as the man with no name, in one of the most exciting representatives of the genre and the map that cemented Sergio Leone as the king of spaghetti western. Ennio Morricone's score is amazing, as are stars Klaus Kinski and Lee Van Cleef.

Community vote score: (1.723 points)

DollarsMore1.jpg
4 THE GREAT SILENCE, Sergio Corbucci (1968)

Its wintery setting, gloomy score (by Ennio Morricone), and the grim violence add to the atmosphere of this famous western by the "other" Sergio, starring Klaus Kinski as the villain and Jean-Louis Trintignant as the mute anti-hero.

Community vote score: (1.346 points)

1516.jpg
5 DJANGO, Sergio Corbucci (1966)

Violence is a trademark of the genre. Corbucci upped the anti with ears bitten off priests and citizens slaughtered with a machine gun, but the skilled pistolero with the army coat and the coffin are what makes this a cult favorite.

Community vote score: (1.190 points)

Django4.jpg
6 A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS, Sergio Leone (1964)

This is where it all started, the movie that got the ball rolling. Leone's remake of Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo put the then unknown TV actor Clint Eastwood on the map and established his style and the use of extraordinary music by Ennio Morricone.

Community vote score: (1.133 points)

Fistful7.jpg
7 THE BIG GUNDOWN, Sergio Sollima (1966)

This is one of three spaghetti westerns of the third Sergio, pitting Lee Van Cleef against genre stalwart Tomas Milian in a cat and mouse hunt that ends as epic as could be, with one of the most remarkable opening credit theme songs ever recorded.

Community vote score: (1.009 points)

La resa....jpg
8 THE MERCENARY, Sergio Corbucci (1968)

Some films are not only famous, they are also cult favorites and draw a crowd of followers (even though it has yet to reach a wider audience on proper home video releases in the US and the UK). This is one, with Franco Nero in one of his greatest roles, an unforgettable soundtrack by Ennio Morricone and the late Jack Palance at a particular best.

Community vote score: (741 points)

Merc 24.jpg
9 DEATH RIDES A HORSE, Giulio Petroni (1967)

gunslinger mentor and trainee, a very popular theme in the genre, here depicted by Lee Van Cleef and John Phillip Law, with a beautifully haunting score by Ennio Morricone.

Community vote score: (676 points)

Von Mann....jpg
10 FACE TO FACE, Sergio Sollima (1967)

This is actually the last of his three westerns, and it is as much a metaphor of violence as it is a showcase for actors Tomas Milian and Gian Maria Volonte trying to top each other.

Community vote score: (637 points)

Facciaafacciabq5X.jpg
11 COMPANEROS, Sergio Corbucci (1970)

This is Corbucci's second revolutionary tale next to The Mercenary, and it is somewhat of a modification of it, again starring Franco Nero but this time with Tomas Milian in the role of the peasant.

Community vote score: (619 points)

CompanerosX05.jpg
12 DUCK, YOU SUCKER!, Sergio Leone (1971)

Leone's own revolutionary western pits Rod Steiger and James Coburn against armored tanks and the Mexican army, in a very explosive film.

Community vote score: (619 points)

DuckJapB2X.jpg
13 A BULLET FOR THE GENERAL, Damiano Damiani (1966)

In another revolution-themed entry from the early years, Gian Maria Volonte as El Chuncho is played by a young American agent in order to kill a revolutionary leader. A great story of comraderie and betrayal, with brilliant acting and beautiful music.

Community vote score: (537 points)

Quiensabeposter.jpg
14 MY NAME IS NOBODY, Sergio Leone/Tonino Valerii (1973)

As the genre turned into its self-parody phase, Leone conceived a self reflective western pitting the established Terence Hill against acting titan Henry Fonda. Controversial in it's mixture of comedy and deeper meaning about the decline of the west it was not the last SW, but nonetheless a fitting end for an already dying genre.

Community vote score: (412 points)

Nobodyfrposter.jpg
15 DAY OF ANGER, Tonino Valerii (1967)

In this revered classic, Lee Van Cleef takes on a young protege played by Giuliano Gemma but must face him in the end...

Community vote score: (394 points)

Dayofangerposter.jpg
16 CEMETERY WITHOUT CROSSES, Robert Hossein (1968)

The French director's singular endeavor into the genre is also one of the most revered. This sinister tale of revenge and death boasts with incredibly atmospheric scenes, great music and exceptional acting and directing. A small gem if you so will.

Community vote score: (378 points)

Cimitero03.jpg
17 KEOMA, Enzo G. Castellari (1976)

In its late phase, only few directors have managed to churn out quality films on decent budgets. Veteran director Castellari teamed up with icon Franco Nero in what is a very gloomy but gripping western tale. Community vote score: (362 points)

Keoma GermanPoster2.jpg
18 DJANGO KILL, IF YOU LIVE, SHOOT!, Giulio Questi (1967)

Questi's very bizarre and only entry in the genre might not find too many friends but is a well-directed film with many memorable moments, as well as a great deal of elements found in exploitation cinema.

Community vote score: (358 points)

Djangokill1.jpg
19 RUN MAN RUN, Sergio Sollima (1968)

Tomas Milian runs for his life, this time not from a bounty hunter but for his honor, lots of gold and a promise. An adorable film but maybe the weakest of the three films Sollima made. But it has a scene in the snow!

Community vote score: (293 points)

Corriuomocorri.jpg
20 BLINDMAN, Ferdinando Baldi (1971)

For its premise alone the movie is a cult classic. A blind gunman trying to get back 50 women that were stolen from him. A hilarious yet gritty adventure also starring The Beatles' Ringo Starr! Bizarrely, this is Baldi's only entry in our Top 20...

Community vote score: (263 points)

Blind4.jpg


  • Followed by these:

21. Return of Ringo D. Tessari 65 (259 points);

22. Sabata G. Parolini 69 (218 points);

23. If You Meet Sartana, Pray for Your Death G. Parolini 68 (214 points);

24. $10,000 Blood Money R. Guerrieri 67 (171 points);

25. Mannaja S. Martino 77 (170 points);

26. Navajo Joe S. Corbucci 66 (161 points);

27. God Forgives, I Don't G. Colizzi 67 (146 points);

28. Light the Fuse ... Sartana is Coming G. Carnimeo 70 (129 points);

29. Tepepa G. Petroni 68 (123 points);

30. And God Said to Cain A. Margheriti 69 (112 points);


31. A Pistol for Ringo D.Tessari 65 (109 points);

32. Johnny Hamlet E.G. Castellari 68 (106 points);

33. The Grand Duel G. Santi 72 (100 points);

34. Four of the Apocalypse L. Fulci 75 (98 points);

35. Matalo! C. Canevari 70 (98 points);

36. Massacre Time L. Fulci 66 (89 points);

37. Bandidos M. Dallamano 67 (86 points);

38. California M. Lupo 77 (83 points);

39. El puro E. Mulargia 69 (82 points);

40. Ace High G. Colizzi 68 (78 points);


41. Arizona Colt M. Lupo 66 (74 points);

42. Django the Bastard S. Garrone 69 (72 points);

43. Shoot the Living and Pray for the Dead G. Vari 71 (70 points);

44. I Want Him Dead P. Bianchini 69 (69 points);

45. Yankee T. Brass 66 (69 points);

46. The Specialists S. Corbucci 70 (67 points);

47. The Forgotten Pistolero F. Baldi 69 (67 points);

48. Vengeance A. Margheriti 68 (66 points);

49. The Hellbenders S. Corbucci 66 (63 points);

50. Cut-Throats Nine J.L.R. Marchent 72 (62 points);


Information on this list:

  • Compiled from meanwhile more than 100 user Top-20-lists (post yours!), this is a dynamically changing list of the most important Spaghetti Westerns as rated by our community.
  • Related: This list on Amazon.com
  • Related: This list on YouTube
  • Related: This list is also on iCheckmovies.com
  • About the points system: The top 20 films from each list were scored using the following formula: #1=25 points; #2=21 points; #3=19 points; #4= 17 points and then down to #20=1 point (We also included those who didn't make it into the top 20 at the bottom of this page)
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