Essential Top 20 Films

From The Spaghetti Western Database
Revision as of 09:21, 4 January 2018 by Stanton (talk | contribs)
Jump to: navigation, search
The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.

These films were voted by our community as the essential films of the genre. More info on our voting procedure and where to find those that didn't make the top 50, 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: (3.328 points)
Buono.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
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: (2.919 points)
West8.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
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: (2.788 points)
DollarsMore1.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
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: (2.163 points)
Il Grande silenzio17885.gif
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
5
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: (1.798 points)
Fistful7.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
6
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: (1.793 points)
Django4.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
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: (1.785 points)
Bign itp2.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
8
THE MERCENARY, Sergio Corbucci (1968)

Some films are not only famous, they are also cult favorites and draw a crowd of followers. 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: (1.286 points)
Il mercenew.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
9
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: (1.108 points)
Companeros4 New.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
10
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: (1.064 points)
DaUomoAUomo Poster3.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
11
FACE TO FACE, Sergio Sollima (1967)

This is actually the second 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: (1.060 points)
Facciaafacciabq5X.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
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: (1.033 points)
GiuLaTesta Poster2x HQ.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
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: (975 points)
QuienSabe Poster.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
14
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: (766 points)
DayOfAnger USPoster1.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
15
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: (738 points)
Keoma GermanPoster1.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
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: (689 points)
Cimitero03 New.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
18
RETURN OF RINGO, Duccio Tessari (1965)

Elegantly directed by Ducio Tessari this is one of the early classics and one of the early successes of the genre. Following the storyline of Homer's Odyssey, Gemma (in his best role) returns home after the civil war to win back his wife and house.

Community vote score: (607 points)
ReturnOfRingo DatabsePage New.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
17
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: (600 points)
Il Mio nome è Nessuno18106.gif
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
19
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: (509 points)
SeSeiVivoSpara DatabasePage New.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png
20
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: (384 points)
Corriuomocorri.jpg
Bluraylogo2.gif
Dvdlogo2.png
Cdmusic.png


  • Followed by these:


21. If You Meet Sartana, Pray for Your Death G. Parolini, 1968 (384 points);

22. Blindman F. Baldi, 1971 (334 points);

23. $10,000 Blood Money R. Guerrieri, 1967 (306 points);

24. Sabata G. Parolini, 1969 (290 points);

25. And God Said to Cain A. Margheriti, 1969 (270 points);

26. Navajo Joe S. Corbucci, 1966 (259 points);

27. A Pistol for Ringo D.Tessari, 1965 (246 points);

28. Tepepa G. Petroni, 1968 (245 points);

29. Mannaja S. Martino, 1977 (243 points);

30. Light the Fuse ... Sartana is Coming G. Carnimeo, 1970 (205 points);


31. Massacre Time L. Fulci, 1966 (195 points);

32. God Forgives, I Don't G. Colizzi, 1967 (184 points);

33. California M. Lupo, 1977 (182 points);

34. Kill and Pray C. Lizzani, 1967 (160 points);

35. Johnny Hamlet E.G. Castellari, 1968 (159 points);

36. Four of the Apocalypse L. Fulci, 1975 (154 points);

37. Bandidos M. Dallamano, 1967 (154 points);

38. El Puro E. Mulargia, 1969 (149 points)

39. Vengeance A. Margheriti, 1968 (149 points);

40. The Grand Duel G. Santi, 1972 (142 points);


41. The Forgotten Pistolero F. Baldi, 1969 (137 points);

42. Matalo! C. Canevari, 1970 (131 points);

43. Death Sentence M. Lanfranchi, 1968 (129 points);

44. The Hellbenders S. Corbucci 66 (123 points);

45. Django the Bastard S. Garrone, 1969 (122 points);

46. Ace High G. Colizzi, 1968 122 points);

47. The Bounty Killer E. Marti­n 66 (120 points);

48. Shoot the Living and Pray for the Dead G. Vari, 1971 (115 points);

49. Trinity is Still my Name E. B. Clucher, 1971 (110 points);

50. The Specialists S. Corbucci, 1970 (108 points);


  • This one has left the top 50 for now:

A Stranger in Town L. Vanzi 67 (106 points);



Information on this list:

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.