This rating system is not objective. The rankings represent my personal opinions about these movies. The system was conceived as a way to enforce consistency on my rankings and provide a framework for justifying my opinions about the movies.
I am not swayed by conventional wisdom as to which of these movies has been deemed “great” by the film punditocracy. They all get run through my system without prejudice.
Major Categories - up to 5 points awarded for each category
Lead Actor/Character
A charismatic leading man is usually what makes and breaks a Western. John Wayne, Clint Eastwood , Jimmy Stewart and are the Holy Trinity of this category. This category rates both the quality of the lead character and the quality of the actor’s portrayal of that character.
Story
Is there a compelling theme, an interesting plotline and solid character development? Is it emotionally gripping? Do we care about the characters? Is the story plausible and coherent? Are the characters’ motivations plausible and consistent? Are there gaping holes in the plotline? Did it conclude satisfactorily?
Supporting Actors/Characters
There are three fundamental types of supporting characters : the heavy, the romantic interest and the buddy. One great role and/or performance here can make a movie. As with the lead, this judges both the character and the quality of the acting.
Minor Categories - up to 3 points awarded in these categories
Comic Relief
There are very few Western comedies. Most are intense, violent dramas. The best have good comic relief as a counterpoint to the suspense and violence. In other words, the best movies make you laugh and cry.
Landscape
I consider great scenic backdrops essential to a “great” Western. I understand some stories by their nature will have more indoor scenes. However, if most of a movie is filmed on a soundstage and the locations are all in the San Fernando Valley, it will lose points in my system.
Indian/Civil War/ Mexican Themes
These three themes are so indigenous to the very concept of the “West” that they deserve their own joint category. I’m looking for some use of one or more of these subjects. I will explain each individually.
1) Indians. I understand that every single Western won’t have them as a major plotline, but I expect at least one character. A movie takes a hit in this category if it doesn’t even acknowledge the existence of the Indian (Silverado is an example of this). I usually award extra points whenever Indians are presented not as simply threatening “others”, but as multi-dimensional characters with legitimate grievances.
2) Civil War. Most Westerns take place is a very short historical time period, roughly 1865 until 1890. For the majority of the people of that generation, the Civil War was a life defining event. I like to see that referenced somehow in a Western. The Civil War was also the most colorful, interesting and tragic event in American history. Why not draw on it?
3) Mexicans. The areas of the U.S. where these movies take place were under Spanish or Mexican rule for over 300 years. I like to see at least one Mexican character, and preferably deeper references to this pervasive regional culture. I usually award extra points for portrayals of non-stereotype Mexicans.
Final note: It may seem strange that I do not have a category for “Direction”, but I think the director has such a hand in all the other categories that the quality of direction is implicit.
