Discover James Coburn’s Top 10 Westerns That Will Blow Your Mind!

by

James Coburn, throughout his 45-year acting career, appeared in various film genres, but is particularly recognized for his roles in Westerns, which seemed to perfectly embody his distinctive blend of rugged toughness and cool demeanor. With his chiseled facial structure, piercing blue eyes, and playfully askew smile, he carried an air of being naturally fit to don a weathered cowboy hat and handle a six-shooter.

Arriving at the peak of Spaghetti westerns and reinterpreted Western films, Coburn frequently portrayed intricate characters. Beneath his laid-back demeanor lay a tempest of inner turmoil. Although he may not be in the upper echelon of iconic Western stars alongside legends like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Randolph Scott, Coburn is a recognizable figure to many genre enthusiasts due to his contributions to some timeless Western classics.

10. A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die! (AKA Massacre At Fort Holman)

Coburn Plays A Vengeful Union Colonel

A Purpose to Live, A Purpose to Perish!”, a Spaghetti Western spin on “The Dirty Dozen”. The cast isn’t top-tier, with Telly Savalas being the only well-known star aside from Coburn, who imbues his vengeful character with a touch of wounded dignity. As expected, the film’s main stars don’t interact until the climax, but their late encounter is the movie’s most thrilling moment.

This film, while sharing similarities with Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Western style, such as close-ups of Jack Elam’s rugged face, doesn’t introduce anything fresh. It’s action-packed enough to avoid being completely boring, but it could have been more engaging with the addition of stronger character actors, unexpected plot turns, and more visually striking scenes. For fans of Jack Elam completists, A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die! is easily accessible on streaming platforms.

9. Young Guns II

Coburn Plays John Chisum, A Ruthless Cattle Baron

In Sam Peckinpah’s “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” Coburn portrayed Pat Garrett, working alongside Kris Kristofferson as The Kid. Later, in “Young Guns II,” a more mature Coburn assumed the role of cattle baron John Chisum, who teams up with William Petersen’s Garrett to pursue Emilio Estevez’s Billy. By the time of “Young Guns II” production, Coburn had transitioned into an elder statesman persona. Producers frequently cast him in Westerns to instantly boost their genre reputation, as his rough, authoritative demeanor had become synonymous with the genre.

1988’s $59 million blockbuster film “Young Guns II” is predominantly recognized for its Oscar-nominated Bon Jovi track “Blaze of Glory.” However, it holds a low Rotten Tomatoes fresh score of 31%, often criticized as a squandered opportunity due to its subpar script.

8. Maverick

Coburn Plays Commodore Duvall

Coburn had guest roles on almost every iconic Western TV series before his film career took over, leaving him to concentrate only on feature films. However, despite this, he never acted alongside James Garner in Maverick. Yet, in the 1994 movie adaptation of Maverick, Coburn did appear, joining forces with Garner who portrayed Mel Gibson’s character’s father.

As a seasoned movie critic, I find myself reminiscing about the timeless charm of “Maverick,” a film that masterfully weaves together the essence of the Old West with a captivating narrative. In this cinematic journey, Clint Eastwood, in his role as Commodore Duvall, plays an affluent figure who oversees the grand poker tournament that our protagonist, Mel Gibson, tirelessly strives to qualify for throughout the movie.

Much like in “Young Guns II,” it’s not just Coburn’s acting skills that the filmmakers sought, but also his iconic presence as a symbol of Western authenticity. This was an era when Mel Gibson’s star power alone could ignite the box office, and “Maverick” certainly capitalized on this, earning a whopping $183 million in revenue. Critics, such as the esteemed Roger Ebert, lauded its family-friendly atmosphere, appreciating the film’s ability to engage both children and adults alike.

7. Bite the Bullet

Coburn Plays Luke Mathews, A Former Rough Rider

In Richard Brooks’ reimagined Western, Coburn portrays Luke Mathews in a demanding 700-mile horse race across the country. His character competes against his ex-Rough Rider companion and friend Sam Clayton, skillfully played by Gene Hackman. Originally, the producers had their eyes on bigger stars like Paul Newman and Burt Reynolds for these roles. However, it can be argued that Coburn and Hackman are more convincing as rugged Western characters than the initial choices would have been.

Back in ’75, I had the pleasure of witnessing the grand Columbia production, “Bite the Bullet,” starring the legendary Gene Hackman – one of only seven Westerns he graced with his presence. This film, which grossed an impressive $11 million on a budget of roughly $4 million, was not just a box office success but also a critical darling. It earned Oscar nominations for Best Sound and Best Score, and it currently boasts a 75% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

What truly sets this Western apart is the stunning cinematography by Harry Stradling. Nearly every positive review I’ve read praises his work as a significant strength of the film. The cast is also top-notch, and Director Brooks infuses it with depth and thematic weight. It’s a true cinematic gem that any film enthusiast should not miss!

6. The Honkers

Coburn Plays Lew Lathrop, A Womanizing Rodeo Rider

Coburn returns to town after many years away from the rodeo, stirring up trouble in his family life – wife, son, and best friend who’s a rodeo clown. He’s like Paul Newman’s character Hud; he seems friendly on the outside but is deeply selfish, leaving emotional scars wherever he goes.

The movie ‘The Honkers’, similar to ‘The Last Picture Show’ in its small-town Texas setting, is a boisterous and poetic portrayal instead of a bleak and philosophical one. Coburn slides effortlessly into this world, offering a nuanced and emotional performance as a self-absorbed individual with boundless desires. Upon its premiere, the film garnered positive feedback, but it doesn’t hold a significant critical standing in modern times.

5. Major Dundee

Coburn Plays Cavalry Scout Samuel Potts

1965 saw the release of Sam Peckinpah’s Western, but Columbia heavily edited it, and it wasn’t until 2005 that a re-release attempted to restore the movie closer to its original vision. In this film, Coburn portrays a scout who is part of a disorganized group led by Dundee, a character played by Charlton Heston. Dundee is a layered hero tasked with tracking down Apaches believed to be behind a massacre.

In the original casting, Coburn wasn’t Columbia’s first choice for the role of Potts; they initially wanted Lee Marvin, a notable rival of Coburn for tough roles. However, Coburn eventually landed the part due to production issues on “Major Dundee.” This movie, directed by Peckinpah, was a chaotic production, largely because of script problems. The theatrical release version of the film was poorly received, earning only $2.5 million in box office revenue against a budget that could reach $4.5 million. Despite this initial failure, the movie currently boasts a high 97% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This is largely due to the 2005 restored version and a reevaluation of the film in light of Peckinpah’s growing reputation.

4. Duck, You Sucker (AKA A Fistful Of Dynamite)

Coburn Plays John H. Mallory, An Explosives Expert

Sergio Leone’s lesser-known Spaghetti Western, while impressive, doesn’t quite reach the heights of his Dollars Trilogy or “Once Upon a Time In the West.” The early scenes between Jim Brown and Lee Van Cleef hint at a buddy film dynamic, but this is somewhat undermined by an uneven use of satire. At times, the humor can be questionable due to some instances of poor taste.

In Coburn’s performance, his Irish accent fluctuates yet remains endearing, if somewhat tinged with melancholy. He portrays Mallory, an Irish revolutionary from the 1910s who sought refuge in Mexico and allies with Juan, a bandit played by Steiger. The film offers a string of semi-humorous adventures, all culminating in something being explosively destroyed thanks to Mallory’s seemingly endless cache of dynamite. Initially dismissed by critics upon release, the movie has since garnered appreciation over time and boasts a 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

3. Ride Lonesome

Coburn Makes His Film Debut As Whit

The portrayal of Native Americans positions Ride Lonesome as a film that doesn’t hold up well over time. In Budd Boetticher’s Western, filmed in CinemaScope and premiered in 1959, Lee Marvin made his screen debut opposite Randolph Scott, who played a bounty hunter. It was Scott who recognized Coburn’s talent early on, as Boetticher mentioned during a Q&A session following a screening of two of his films in 2000.

One day, Scott turned to us and asked, “Who is the man in red underwear that I acted alongside this morning?” To which I replied, “His name is Coburn, James Coburn. This is his debut film.” He then expressed his liking for the young actor and suggested, “Let’s create more scenes for him.” So, we brainstormed a scene together and filmed it, and in Ride [Lonesome], it remains my favorite moment of the movie.

Initially, Boetticher was seen as merely a skillful director, but the auteurists later elevated his standing. Nowadays, the film “Ride Lonesome” is highly acclaimed, with a 90% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This movie may be low on physical action, but it’s rich in psychological tension. The script by Burt Kennedy skillfully portrays the constantly changing relationships among its characters.

2. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid

Coburn Is Pat Garrett

A classic Western directed by Sam Peckinpah, titled Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, was initially met with criticism but has since gained recognition. Today, two versions of this film can be found – a restored edition and an early preview version that Peckinpah used to screen for friends. Notably absent from the latter is Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” a song disliked by the director.

In one of Coburn’s most memorable Western roles, he portrays Pat Garrett, a former associate of Billy the Kid, played by Kris Kristofferson. Now, Garrett finds himself tracking his friend. Both actors deliver outstanding performances; Kristofferson molding an unforgettable Billy, and Coburn holding his own. The film’s 59% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes is due to older critiques panning the original theatrical cut versus newer reviews praising its restoration. In 1973, it managed to be a moderate success, earning $11 million at the box office against a budget of $4.6 million.

1. The Magnificent Seven

Coburn Plays One Of The Magnificent Seven

James Coburn played a significant role in one of the most impactful Western films ever made – John Sturges’ iconic production that drew inspiration from Kurosawa’s ‘Seven Samurai’. This groundbreaking film brought together an unparalleled action team, featuring stars like Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner, and Charles Bronson. Coburn portrayed the knife-wielding Britt, one of his most memorable Western personas. The movie’s Elmer Bernstein score, nominated for an Oscar, adds to its impressive cool factor.

Despite being hailed as a timeless Western masterpiece today, it’s somewhat unexpected that the movie received harsh criticism from several critics during its initial release and was even deemed a borderline financial disappointment. However, its 89% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes now places it among the cherished classics of granddad movies. Notably, the 2016 remake was a decent film, but it failed to approach the brilliance of the original, which in 2013 was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.

Read More

2025-06-07 17:51