The Wild West, with its lawless expanses and rugged landscapes, has always been a fertile ground for storytelling. But what happens when you add the terrifying element of rabies into the mix? This collection of films delves into the chaos and fear that rabies can unleash in the untamed frontier. From tales of infected animals to the desperate search for a cure, these movies offer a fresh, thrilling perspective on the Western genre. Whether you're a fan of the classic Western or looking for something with a bit more bite, this list will take you on a wild ride through the West like never before.
The Searchers (1956)
Description: Although not directly about rabies, the film includes a scene where a character is bitten by a rabid dog, adding to the tension and isolation of the characters in the vast, unforgiving landscape.
Fact: John Wayne's character, Ethan Edwards, is considered one of his most complex roles. The film has been widely praised for its cinematography and its exploration of racism and revenge.
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The Unforgiven (1960)
Description: A scene where a character is bitten by a rabid dog adds to the tension and the underlying themes of fear and survival in this John Huston-directed Western.
Fact: The film stars Burt Lancaster and Audrey Hepburn, with Hepburn playing a character with Native American heritage, which was quite progressive for its time.
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The Wild Bunch (1969)
Description: While not central to the plot, a character in this film is bitten by a rabid dog, which adds to the film's theme of decay and the end of an era.
Fact: Directed by Sam Peckinpah, this film is known for its graphic violence and its portrayal of the end of the Old West.
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The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970)
Description: In this quirky Western, a subplot involves a character bitten by a rabid dog, leading to a comedic yet tense situation in the desert.
Fact: The film was directed by Sam Peckinpah, who was known for his revisionist Westerns. It features a mix of humor and pathos, making it a unique entry in the genre.
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The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
Description: In this classic Western, rabies plays a minor but pivotal role when Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood) encounters a rabid dog, which leads to a tense and memorable scene.
Fact: The film was directed by Clint Eastwood, who also starred in it. The character of Josey Wales was inspired by the real-life Confederate guerrilla fighter Bill Wilson.
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The Long Riders (1980)
Description: A lesser-known Western where rabies plays a role in a subplot involving a character bitten by a rabid animal, which adds to the film's gritty realism.
Fact: The film uniquely cast real-life brothers to play the famous outlaw brothers, including the Carradine, Keach, and Quaid families.
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The Man from Snowy River (1982)
Description: This Australian Western includes a scene where a character is bitten by a rabid dog, leading to a dramatic rescue mission in the rugged Australian outback.
Fact: The film is based on the poem by A.B. "Banjo" Paterson. It was a major success in Australia, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of all time in the country.
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The Quick and the Dead (1995)
Description: In this Sam Raimi-directed Western, a subplot involves a character who has been bitten by a rabid dog, leading to a race against time to save him, adding a layer of urgency to the already intense plot.
Fact: The film features an ensemble cast including Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, and Russell Crowe. It was one of the first films to use CGI to enhance the visual effects of gunfights.
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The Revenant (2015)
Description: While not exclusively about rabies, the film features a harrowing scene where Hugh Glass (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) is attacked by a rabid bear, setting off a chain of survival events in the harsh wilderness.
Fact: Leonardo DiCaprio won an Oscar for Best Actor for his role in this film. The bear attack scene was done with CGI and practical effects, making it one of the most memorable sequences in recent cinema.
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The Great Train Robbery (1903)
Description: This pioneering silent film features a scene where a character is bitten by a rabid dog, showcasing early cinema's attempt to incorporate real-life dangers into its narrative.
Fact: It is considered one of the first narrative films, and its final scene of a bandit shooting directly at the camera was groundbreaking for its time.
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