At first glance, the Red Dead Redemption series may seem like Grand Theft Auto in a Western setting. While there are obvious similarities between the two juggernauts though, the themes and ideas that the former explores allow for a level of depth that a modern setting just cannot accommodate.
The colorful cast of characters that populate the world of Red Dead are wholly representative of the era and their gun-slinging way of life presents challenges that are worlds apart from those found in modern times. It’s a world that countless movies have explored too, many of which take a similar approach to bringing when it comes to bringing it to life.
10 Pale Rider (1985)
Set in the snowy mountains of California, Pale Rider tells the story of a mysterious man as he fights to protect a small prospecting town from a ruthless landowner. Clint Eastwood stars and directs and is supported by an experienced and talented cast that includes John Russell and Richard Dysart.
Eastwood brings charisma and intrigue to the character and the action scenes become increasingly violent as the movie plays out. His conflict with the local thugs is exciting enough, but it’s not until John Russell’s character and his six deputies ride into town that things really get going. In terms of narrative structure, the movie follows a fairly well-trodden trail, but it definitely leaves its own marks.
9 Sholay (1975)
Sholay is an Indian movie that offers an interesting take on the Western genre. It was billed as ‘the greatest story ever told’ and although it doesn’t do nearly enough to back this claim up, it is still a very solid movie. It tells the story of a former police chief who enlists the help of two criminals to put a stop to a notorious bandit and features one or two interesting twists.
The rocky terrain of Ramanagara makes for a stunning backdrop and the acting is on point throughout. There are times when the movie tries to do a little too much though, especially when it comes to its integration of elements from other genres. While these ideas don’t always blend together perfectly, the end result still has all the right flavors.
8 Young Guns (1988)
There are far better depictions of Billy the Kid than the one found in the Young Guns movies, but none do a better job of capturing the comradery that he shares with his fellow outlaws. The movie’s casting is solid, with Emilio Estevez providing an erratic performance that is perfectly balanced by Kiefer Sutherland’s more measured approach.
It would have been nice to have seen a little more banditry throughout the movies, but what is included is reminiscent of parts of the Red Dead series. Likewise, as the manhunt for Billy and his men intensifies and the law starts to close in, it’s hard not to be reminded of the first game’s ending.
7 The Revenant (2015)
A lot of emphasis is placed on the gun-slinging elements found in the Red Dead series. This can therefore make it easy to overlook the harsh environment in which the games take place. If players venture too far from the beaten path though, they can fall victim to any one of the game’s many vicious creatures. It’s here that The Revenant feels somewhat alike.
It serves as a great reminder of the perils that exist in nature and features a standout performance from Leonardo DiCaprio. It’s far from his best, but it’s the one that finally got him the Oscar that had eluded him up to that point. The story itself shares very few similarities with the ones told in the Red Dead games, but its depiction of an unforgiving landscape is very much in keeping.
6 Unforgiven (1992)
Unforgiven is a cinematic masterpiece with an all-star cast and some of the best action scenes to ever grace the genre. It won four Academy Awards and currently holds a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Clint Eastwood plays an aging outlaw who comes out of retirement for one final job and as things begin to get out of hand, chaos quickly ensues.
The way that the movie is shot and edited is truly outstanding, as are the performances from Eastwood and Gene Hackman. It also challenges a lot of the ideas associated with the genre, particularly when it comes to morality. This is something that it shares in common with the Red Dead games, which often paint their protagonists in a sympathetic light even in spite of their many moral misgivings.
5 Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (1969)
Paul Newman and Robert Redford play the titular characters in George Roy Hill’s 1969 classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It’s a celebration of the outlaw life that’s full to the brim with shoot-outs and robberies. Its real strength however is the depth of its protagonists and the powerful bond between them.
Butch and Sundance’s Hole-in-the-Wall Gang shares many similarities with the Van der Linde gang. The treachery that exists amongst their ranks, their willingness to take on insurmountable odds for a quick score and, ultimately, the way that the law catches up with them will feel incredibly familiar to Red Dead players.
4 The Hateful Eight (2015)
Tarantino dipped his toes into the waters of the Western genre with Django Unchained, but when it came to The Hateful Eight, he dived right in. Like most Tarantino movies, it features an all-star cast and an engaging plot that’s punctuated with moments of extreme and sudden violence.
Much like Red Dead Redemption, it’s a story that relies heavily on the strength of its characters, all of whom are well written and surprisingly fleshed out. In spite of the limitations imposed by the movie’s setting, it does a great job of capturing the post-civil war era and looks fantastic from start to finish.
3 The Wild Bunch (1969)
The Wild Bunch takes place in the early 20th century and investigates the incompatibilities between the outlaw life and the changing times. Throughout the movie, Pike Bishop slowly but surely arrives at the realization that there is no longer a place for him in this new world. There are signs that he and his men are changing too, although not for the better.
When all’s said and done, The Wild Bunch does a fine job of capturing the erosion of an era. This is a theme that is explored in both Red Dead games, not only through John and Arthur, but also through some of the men with whom they ride.
2 True Grit (2010)
True Grit is a fantastic Revisionist Western that remains far more faithful to the Charles Portis novel than the John Wayne version from the 60’s. At a glance it may seem like just another revenge story, but the execution here is top-notch. Jeff Bridges gives the performance of a lifetime while Matt Damon and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld both put in solid performances as well.
Amongst all the violence there are themes and ideas that will resonate with many viewers. These are things that are touched upon in the Red Dead games, although typically from another perspective. True Grit may offer a different point of view, but both are of the same brutal reality.
1 For A Few Dollars More (1965)
Quite a few eyebrows were raised when the Italians started making Western movies. As time has passed, however, Spaghetti Westerns have become some of the finest and most popular movies that the genre has to offer. For a Few Dollars More is the second of Sergio Leone’s Dollars trilogy and arguably the very best of the three.
Clint Eastwood’s performance as the Man with No Name helped to launch his career while the movie itself forced Hollywood to start taking Spaghetti Westerns seriously. The rivalry between Eastwood’s character and Colonel Mortimer is captivating and their eventual alliance adds a whole new dimension to the movie. As far as great Westerns go, they don’t come much better than this.
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