Top 10 Western Films About Competitions

Description: While primarily known for its team-up theme, the film also features a competition among the seven gunfighters to prove who is the best, making it a unique addition to this list.

Fact: The film was inspired by Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai." It was remade in 2016 with a diverse cast.

Description: Although not strictly a Western, this film involves a cross-country car race from New York to Paris, capturing the competitive spirit of the era. Its inclusion in this list is due to its portrayal of a competition that spans the globe, including the Wild West.

Fact: The film features a pie fight scene that took six days to shoot and used over 4,000 pies. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon star in this comedy-adventure.

Description: This film features a cattle drive competition where a rancher hires schoolboys to drive his herd after his cowboys abandon him. The competitive spirit among the boys to prove themselves adds a unique twist to the Western narrative.

Fact: John Wayne, who stars as the rancher, was initially reluctant to take the role due to the film's unconventional plot. The movie was one of Wayne's last films before his death.

Description: This film showcases a competition between Josey Wales and the Union soldiers who pursue him, as well as his own internal struggle to survive and find peace.

Fact: Clint Eastwood directed and starred in this film, which was one of his first directorial efforts. The film's script was adapted from the novel "The Rebel Outlaw: Josey Wales" by Forrest Carter.

Description: John Wayne stars as an aging gunfighter who enters a town to die peacefully but ends up in a competition of sorts with local gunslingers who want to make a name for themselves by killing him.

Fact: This was John Wayne's final film role, and he was battling cancer during its production. The film's ending was changed to give Wayne's character a more heroic send-off.

Description: This film tells the story of the James-Younger Gang, focusing on their competitive relationship with law enforcement and rival outlaws. The competitive nature of their criminal activities and the pursuit by lawmen make it a fitting entry.

Fact: Real-life brothers played the brothers in the gang, including the Carradines, Keaches, and Quaids. Walter Hill, known for his action films, directed this unique Western.

Description: This Australian Western involves a young man entering a cattle drive competition to prove his worth and win back his family's land, showcasing the competitive spirit of the outback.

Fact: The film was based on a poem by A.B. "Banjo" Paterson. It became one of the highest-grossing Australian films of all time.

Description: This ensemble Western features a group of unlikely heroes who come together to fight corruption in a town, with various competitions among them to prove their worth.

Fact: Kevin Costner's role was significantly reduced in the final cut of the film. The movie was one of the last major Westerns to be a box office success.

Description: In this film, a mysterious woman enters a small town to participate in a deadly quick-draw competition, seeking revenge. The movie's focus on a unique form of competition, the quick-draw duel, makes it a standout in the Western genre.

Fact: Sharon Stone trained for months to convincingly portray a gunslinger. The film was directed by Sam Raimi, known for his work on the Evil Dead series.

Description: A classic Western where a marshal and a gambler team up to take down a gang, with the film's climax featuring a competitive duel that defines the genre.

Fact: Audie Murphy, a real-life war hero, starred in this film, bringing authenticity to his role as a gunslinger.