A little more comedy than western, Shanghai Noon centers on an imperial guard (with the perfect name) Chon Wang (Jackie Chan) as he embarks on a mission to rescue Princess Pei Pei, who has run away to the United States.
Along the way, Wang finds help from charming outlaw Roy O’Bannon (Owen Wilson), who lends his gun-slinging skills to the rescue mission. Although they are an odd couple at first, East eventually meets West leading to a heartwarming friendship between Wang and O’Bannon.
Dodge City (Michael Curtiz, 1939)
"Dodge City" may be one of the most traditional western films in the genre. Swashbuckling leading man Errol Flynn stars as Wade Hatton, the main protagonist who had been involved in bringing the railroad to the Dodge City region.
He later encounters interpersonal drama and unrest amongst his contemporaries which leads to him being offered the position of sheriff. Although reluctant at first, Hatton is looked at as a stable, capable figure and eventually accepts the new position. Along the way, he finds love with Abbie Irving and eventually manages to win both her heart and become a traveling sheriff, cleaning up different crime-laden cities.
Appaloosa (Ed Harris, 2008)
Directed by Ed Harris, Appaloosa was based on a novel written by Robert B. Parker. After a New Mexico town is overtaken by the malicious rancher, Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons), lawman Virgil Cole (Ed Harris), and deputy Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) come to the town’s rescue.
A love triangle involving widow Allison French (Rene Zellweger) threatens the righteous goals of the duo, but Cole and Hitch manage to keep both their loyalty and their purpose at the forefront of their friendship.
Open Range (Kevin Costner, 2003)
Though it has the same title as the 1927 film, the "Open Range" film that was released in 2003 was not a remake. Kevin Costner both directed and starred in the film that was set in late 1800s Montana. In the film, cattleman Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall) takes his herd across the country with his hired hands.
Along the way, however, the group encounters bandits, which results in Spearman losing one of his cattlemen along the way. The film featured a well-known cast, including Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, Annette Benning, and Diego Luna.
Open Range (Clifford Smith, 1927)
Released in 1927, the silent film Open Range revolves around both a drama and a love story. Ranch hand Tex Smith (Lane Chandler), the main protagonist, pursues a young woman named Lucy Blake, who lives in one of the nearby cattle settlements.
On the outskirts of their romance, American Indian chief Brave Bear is plotting (along with fellow rival Sam Hardman) to steal the local community’s cattle during a rodeo. The plot thickens when Tex is mistaken for one of the cattle rustlers and must defend his name, expose Brave Bear and Hardman, all while trying to win Lucy’s heart.