10 Best Slow-Burn Westerns

Westerns generally fall into two categories: all-out action, with gunfights and barroom brawls, or slower-paced, more contemplative works that focus on the characters and narrative. Though there is an obvious allure for the former, a slow-burning Western that doesn’t fully rely on action allows the roles, storyline, and visuals to fully bloom and create a film that is dramatic and thought-provoking. Also, just because a Western is described as a slow-burner doesn’t mean it will be a slow, dialogue-heavy drama, but rather, it can be an eloquently paced film full of palpable tension, dark atmospheres, and brutal combat.

Some of the best Westerns, like Rio Bravo and No Country for Old Men, are slower and more character-based films that take their time in drawing out the narrative, but the selective action and nuanced chemistry between leads make the runtime fly by. Slow-burn films use a combination of editing, meditative visuals, and masterful pacing to create a story that pays off in suspenseful or explosive endings. These aspects are all perfectly suited to the Western genre that has produced some of the best unfolding psychological and morally complex films in history.

10 Heaven’s Gate (1980)

Starring Kris Kristofferson And Christopher Walken

Michael Cimino’s Heaven’s Gate is a film set in 1890s Wyoming, and follows a story loosely based on the infamous Johnson County War. It tells the story of the conflict between immigrants from Europe and the elite class who own all the surrounding land. An intellectual and wealthy Marshal (Kris Kristofferson) stops into the town and helps the immigrants who settle in the area in their battle against their oppressors. The film’s narrative is a simmering pot, with tensions spilling over back and forth before things explode in a sea of violence.

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Though there are many moments of tension and fighting – with the cattle barons creating a list of 125 settlers they wish to kill – overall, the plot builds suspense until the final third of the film. The generational tension is perfectly paced as the audience learns more about the backstories and sees both sides of the conflict. While it’s not as cohesive and executed as well as some of the other slower-paced Westerns, it still does a fantastic job fleshing out the plot and utilizing the ensemble cast of characters.

9 Slow West (2015)

Starring Kodi Smit-McPhee And Michael Fassbender

Slow West follows a young Scottish man, Jay Cavendish, as he journeys across the American frontier in search of his lost love. Accompanied by a mysterious and protective bounty hunter, Silas Selleck, the film explores themes of love and survival in the harsh and unpredictable landscape of the American West.

Director

John Maclean

Release Date

May 15, 2015

Studio(s)

DMC Film , Film4 Productions , New Zealand Film Commission , See-Saw Films

Writers

John Maclean

Cast

Michael Fassbender , Kodi Smit-McPhee , Ben Mendelsohn , Caren Pistorius , Rory McCann , Eddie Campbell , Brooke Williams , Alex Macqueen , Kalani Queypo , Madeleine Sami , Tawanda Manyimo , David T. Lim , Jeffrey Thomas , Hayden Frost , Michael Whalley , Brian Sergent , Edwin Wright , Ken Blackburn , Josh McKenzie , Karl Willetts , Stuart Martin , Stuart Bowman , Andy McPhee , Andrew Robertt , Aaron McGregor

Runtime

84 Minutes

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John Maclean impresses in his directorial debut, Slow West, a revisionist Western that has an extremely apt title. It follows the story of a young man from Scotland (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who ventures across the Pond and tries to make his way on the American frontier in search of his lost love interest and financial prosperity. Unprepared for the vicious and cruel nature of the landscape, he hires unscrupulous bounty hunter Silas (Michael Fassbender) for protection and help, and the unlikely duo continues on their path, faced with adversity and adventure.

Though it clocks in at a relatively short – by typical Western standards – 84 minutes, the film still earns the title as a slow-burner with its contemplative pace and slow, suspenseful, character-driven narrative. Smit-McPhee, Fassbender, and Ben Mendelsohn have undeniable chemistry, and every interaction leads to a new revelation or interesting wrinkle in their relationships. Fassbender and Maclean had collaborated twice before this film (shorts: Man on a Motorcycle (2009), Pitch Black Heist (2011)), and the director offers tremendous control and poise, allowing the cast to shine and linger on shots to create an intimate portrayal of frontier camaraderie.

8 Bone Tomahawk (2015)

Starring Kurt Russell And Patrick Wilson

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.

Director

S. Craig Zahler

Release Date

October 23, 2015

Writers

S. Craig Zahler

Runtime

132 minutes

Kurt Russell gives another epic performance – one of his best in recent memory – as the stern Sheriff Hunt, who leads a squad of men to rescue captives from a cannibalistic tribe known as “Troglodytes.” Needless to say, Bone Tomahawk isn’t a typical Western as it blends multiple genres, including Western, horror, and elements of black comedy, to create a film that is wholly unique and entertaining. As the team gets deeper into enemy territory, suspense starts to increase as the palpable atmosphere of fear masked by manufactured machismo starts to take over, with a horrifying climax on the horizon.

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Bone Tomahawk is so different and original that it feels like it specifically takes its time in building up its story and characters to help the audience take in the entire concept. The slower pace is perfectly executed, as the fear and discomfort that the group feels as they learn more about the tribe mirrors the viewers, who also share the same feelings. The build to the conflict and final epic battle sequence is beautifully choreographed with expansive and intricate cinematography; it’s a real experience to watch and one that pays off for those who watch with undivided attention.

7 The Shootist (1976)

Starring John Wayne And Ron Howard

The Shootist

Director

Don Siegel

Release Date

July 21, 1976

Studio(s)

Paramount Pictures , Dino De Laurentiis Company

Distributor(s)

Paramount Pictures

Writers

Miles Hood Swarthout , Scott Hale

Cast

John Wayne , Lauren Bacall , Ron Howard , James Stewart , Richard Boone , John Carradine , Scatman Crothers , Richard Lenz , Harry Morgan , Sheree North , Hugh O’Brian

Runtime

100 Minutes

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The Shootist is a tragic tale about a sheriff-turned-gunslinger named “J.B.” Books (John Wayne), an aging ex-lawman who finds out he has an incurable form of cancer and the subsequent impact on his few remaining weeks. Wayne and Books share many parallels in their lives, with Wayne, unfortunately, being diagnosed with lung cancer in 1964, being an older man in his profession, and facing questions and dilemmas about their life and legacies. Wayne gives a stellar, impactful, and emotional performance that would turn out to be his last-ever film appearance.

In a role that Wayne seemed destined to play, it’s a chance to have an introspective look at his career and life. The character study is slow and methodical, with the timing and pacing of events masterfully matching those experienced in real life when a life-altering event happens, with time slowing and the small things meaning more than ever. That’s not to say the action completely fades, as Books organizes one last shoot-out in a film that is beautifully poignant as well as perfectly controlled, with every aspect adding to the momentous feel of Wayne’s final film.

6 High Noon (1952)

Starring Gary Cooper And Thomas Mitchell

High Noon is a classic western directed by Fred Zinnemann and stars Gary Cooper as Marshal Will Kane, who must face a gang of outlaws alone after townsfolk abandon him. The film is notable for its real-time narrative as Kane prepares for a duel with the outlaws set to arrive by noon. Grace Kelly co-stars as Kane’s pacifist bride, adding emotional depth to the story.

Director

Fred Zinnemann

Release Date

June 30, 1952

Writers

Carl Foreman , John W. Cunningham

Cast

Gary Cooper , Thomas Mitchell , Lloyd Bridges , Katy Jurado , Grace Kelly , Otto Kruger

Runtime

85 Minutes

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In one of the most tense Westerns ever, High Noon sees incredible talent come together, being directed by Fred Zinnemann, written by Carl Foreman, and starring the legendary Gary Cooper. Marshal Will Kane (Cooper) is a dedicated and principled small-town Lawman who must make a tough decision when his patch is set to be overtaken by a vengeful outlaw and his gang. He can either stay and fight them alone in a battle he is almost sure to lose, or leave town with his new wife and turn his back on the law and the place he calls home.

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To further capitalize on the intriguing premise, the film unfolds in real-time, which further adds to the unbearable atmosphere and rising tension felt throughout the film. The viewer literally waits alongside the Marshal, which perfectly places them in the same moral quandary, making it a unique cinematic experience. Cooper’s portrayal of a man isolated by his own sense of right and wrong is beautifully executed, though, at times, the moral grandstanding present throughout the film can take over the dialogue in certain places.

5 Dead Man (1995)

Starring Johnny Depp And Robert Mitchum

Dead Man is a 1995 film directed by Jim Jarmusch, featuring Johnny Depp as William Blake, an accountant who embarks on a transformative journey through the American frontier after a series of violent events. Set in the 19th century, the film explores themes of identity and existentialism, with a supporting cast including Gary Farmer, Robert Mitchum, and Iggy Pop. The film’s atmospheric black-and-white cinematography and score by Neil Young contribute to its contemplative tone.

Director

Jim Jarmusch

Release Date

May 26, 1995

Distributor(s)

Miramax Films

Writers

Jim Jarmusch

Cast

Johnny Depp , Gary Farmer , Crispin Glover , Lance Henriksen , Michael Wincott , Eugene Byrd , John Hurt , Robert Mitchum , Iggy Pop , Gabriel Byrne , Jared Harris , Mili Avital , Billy Bob Thornton , Alfred Molina

Runtime

121 Minutes

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Acid Westerns are a subgenre of the traditional Western format that combines metaphorical narratives with the indulgence of a spaghetti Western, fueled by the ’60s counter-culture movement and psychedelic drugs. One of its most famous examples is Jim Jarmusch’s Dead Man, a film that sees Johnny Depp star as a quiet accountant who goes on the run after killing someone in an unfortunate encounter. The film features a unique blend of acting talent, such as Billy Bob Thornton, Iggy Pop, and the legendary Robert Mitchum, in his final ever film performance, who perfectly encapsulates the film’s noir and Western blend.

The film is shot entirely in monochrome, which helps add to the unique feel and slow-burning, drawn-out narrative that feels bleak and mysterious throughout. Depp is the perfect leading man in a psychedelic, chaotic story that would see him in a dress rehearsal for his role in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas three years later. Though there is plenty of violence and bloodshed throughout, which reminds the audience, it is still a Western, the overarching theme and style are one of a drug-fuelled meditation, with bizarre sequences and eclectic characters that create a haunting and reflective film.

4 Rio Bravo (1959)

Starring John Wayne And Dean Martin

Rio Bravo is a Western film directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne and Dean Martin. The 1959 release sees Wayne playing a local sheriff that must hold a local criminal in jail until a U.S. Marshall can arrive to pick him up.

Director

Howard Hawks

Release Date

April 4, 1959

Studio(s)

Armada Productions

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros

Cast

John Wayne , Dean Martin , Ricky Nelson , Angie Dickinson , Walter Brennan

Runtime

141 Minutes

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In a classic Western tale of loyalty, bravery, and partnerships, Rio Bravo sees Wayne portray Sheriff John T. Chance, who, alongside a crew of ragtag allies, must protect their town against a gang hellbent on jail breaking an outlaw. The assembled team must work together and prepare against the impending onslaught, and the film’s dialogue leaves no guesses, with the entire plot quickly spelled out at the beginning. It’s a narrative choice that can actually heighten the tension, as the viewer can focus on the characters and the dynamics involved as they have been promised an explosive payoff in the future.

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Rio Bravo has stood the test of time as a Western classic for many reasons, mainly its combination of humor, suspense, and action, alongside fantastic performances from all the leading stars that turn a relatively straightforward story into one that’s impossible to look away from. The film’s approach to building tension means it focuses more on the characters, emphasizing words and emotions over constant battles, which heightens the impact and power when it finally comes. With masterful directing from Howard Hawks, the film’s pacing reaches an incredible climax as the gang and the town folks finally square off.

3 No Country For Old Men (2007)

Starring Josh Brolin And Javier Bardem

No Country for Old Men is a western crime-thriller based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy and directed by the Cohen Brothers. Following three protagonists, the film centers around a large $2,000,000+ cache of dirty money lost near the Rio Grande. With a veteran who finds it, a hitman who will stop at nothing to get it, and a sheriff trying to investigate the crimes connected to it, all roads lead to death and mayhem as they find themselves in each other’s crosshairs. 

Director

Joel Coen , Ethan Coen

Release Date

November 21, 2007

Studio(s)

MiraMax

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures , MiraMax

Writers

Ethan Coen , Joel Coen

Runtime

122 minutes

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The Coen Brother’s adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel No Country for Old Men is one of the finest, slower-paced films in all cinema. The film’s plot follows Vietnam War veteran Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), who stumbles on a briefcase full of cash in a cartel drug deal gone wrong. Once Moss takes the money, it sets off an unstoppable chain reaction in the form of hitman Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), tasked with seeing the money returned. The film also sees Tommy Lee Jones and Woody Harrelson play key parts in a measured and haunting thriller that leaves no stone unturned.

It’s almost impossible to say enough good things about the pacing and editing of this film; it is truly timed to perfection, with each and every scene advancing the story, building the atmosphere, and raising the tension to unbearable levels. Bardem gives the performance of a lifetime as a cold-blooded killer who feels robotic in his calm and effortless demeanor. The film is unique for its metaphorical slant on the traditional Western tale, replacing gunfights and brawls with creeping psychological terror and a measured, introspective look at greed, love, and mortality.

2 The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

Starring John Wayne And James Stewart

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a 1962 Western film directed by John Ford. Starring James Stewart as an idealistic senator and John Wayne as a rugged rancher, the story explores themes of justice and legend as they confront the outlaw Liberty Valance, played by Lee Marvin. The film examines the conflicts between law, order, and personal morality in the American West.

Director

John Ford

Release Date

April 22, 1962

Writers

James Warner Bellah , Willis Goldbeck , Dorothy M. Johnson

Cast

James Stewart , John Wayne , Vera Miles , Lee Marvin , Edmond O’Brien , Andy Devine , Ken Murray , John Carradine

Runtime

123 Minutes

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Director John Ford was nearing the peak of his powers in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, which sees two Western icons, John Wayne and James Stewart, star as the leading men. Wayne plays gritty rancher Tom Doniphon, who is caught in the middle of a conflict between a young lawyer (Stewart) and violent criminal Liberty Valance. As the title of the film suggests, a violent end seems to be the only outcome for Valance, with the town looking to replace the old-school vigilante justice ways with more modern practices of law and order.

While most John Wayne Westerns will feature their fair share of action, and this one is no exception, the film mainly focuses on the relationship and bond between the two leads, Wayne and Stewart. Their chemistry and interplay are genuinely exceptional, as they discuss the moral and ethical dilemmas in both justice systems while also dealing with outlaws. Wayne nails his nuanced portrayal of a silent hero who has to sacrifice himself in order to positively impact the world he wants to create, which is more impactful and emotional due to the film’s slower pace and in-depth character development.

1 Once Upon A Time In The West (1968)

Starring Henry Fonda And Claudia Cardinale

Once Upon a Time in the West is a critically acclaimed Italian Western released in 1968. Directed by Sergio Leone, the film stars Henry Fonda as Frank and Charles Bronson as Harmonica, two men who work together to protect widow Jill McBain (Claudia Cardinale) from an assassin. Sergio Donati and Leone wrote the screenplay for the film based on a story by Dario Argento.

Director

Sergio Leone

Release Date

December 20, 1968

Studio(s)

Rafran Cinematografica , San Marco , Paramount Pictures

Distributor(s)

Paramount Pictures

Writers

Sergio Leone , Sergio Donati , Dario Argento , Bernardo Bertolucci

Cast

Henry Fonda , Charles Bronson , Claudia Cardinale , Jason Robards , Gabriele Ferzetti

Runtime

166 Minutes

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In one of the finest Spaghetti Westerns ever created, famed director Sergio Leone’s masterpiece Once Upon a Time in the West has the best slow-burning narrative in Western cinema. The film features an ensemble cast including Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, and Charles Bronson and tells the intricate and complex story of a land dispute that sees a wealthy rail tycoon hire a cruel and merciless villain to oust a widow from her farmland. The widow gains protection from an unlikely source, a mysterious, vengeful stranger who plays a harmonica, and a notorious outlaw who join forces to protect the land.

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On the surface, the plot sounds like an all-action affair, the film’s story unfurls at a measured and meticulous pace that perfectly sees the development of both the characters and the narrative. Every moment seems grand and important, with incredible cinematography in every scene and Ennio Morricone’s masterful hand guiding the background music. It’s rare that a Western can rely on the soft touch of so many talented hands, but the directing, editing, acting, and score are all phenomenal, and the long, silent sequences are a testament to a film that can take its time and still captivate for every second.