Modern westerns don't have any atmosphere

You would have enjoyed some of the earlier threads here. Some people just don't want their concept of The Western messed with. Smile when you say that, partner.

But some of us liked this one, with all its referents to the classic westerns and its modern twists. And even its acting. And some of us are even able to see beyond RZ's face -- which is hardly as bad as all that, after all -- to see that she did a fine job, as the other actors did.

There were a lot of Brits around in the time and place the movie is set, you know. Maybe even a few of your ancestors? I don't recall if all the classic westerns left them out, but in reality, there they were. Along with many other things left out of the western in the romantic mode. Like real-looking heroines and outhouses and just what those saloon girls did for a living. And so on.

Lots of the classic westerns are available on DVD. Why not enjoy them there?

You mention Robert Mitchum, John Wayne, James Stewart, Glenn Ford, Richard Widmark, and Clint Eastwood. I certainly relished these guys in movies growing up, and I have the greatest respect for them. However, it seems to me that they were always actually playing themselves, or some version of themselves, in their movies, particularly westerns. There is nothing wrong with that, as it is certain that they gave great enjoyment to the viewer (certainly to me). But you make James Stewart sheriff of a town, and it's going to be a lot different movie than if John Wayne is sheriff.

However, I think Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris, certainly in Appaloosa, but also in general, go a level beyond. They are immersing themselves in characters which don't give the same impression of self. Viggo and Ed could have swapped parts in Appaloosa, and it would still be an equally wonderful movie. That's not because they are just capable journeymen who don't give much flavor to a part; it's because they are magnificently versatile and convincing actors, and they can give you any flavor you want.

There really have always been many very different kinds of Westerns. Appaloosa isn't much like Rio Bravo, but then Rio Bravo wasn't that much like High Noon, either. I love them all; at least all the great ones.

And the classic western I think you are thinking of can never be dead, as long as they are all accessable to both old and new fans. This is a wondrous time to be alive, with the whole rich tapestry of filmdom for all its history available to us on demand via video! I remember when that was not the case at all. You had to take what was showing at the theaters.

Interesting thread ... however, I am somewhat shocked to see (after doing a limited review of the rest of this and the other threads on this film) that nobody has caught on that Apaloosa is effectively a remake (or at the least, a very similar premise) of the 1959 film, Warlock ... starring none other than Glen Ford, Richard Widmark, and Anthony Quinn. Check it out, it was a great one! oink

Western dont lost their magic, you that grown up

i couldnt watch a movie now where a gunslinger kill 40 guys without messing with his hat

i like good movies and good story, dont matter the time or the enviroment they are all backgrounds for the actors and the story

honestly if John Wayne was making movies today, they would look stupid

you want a inocence a way to see the world that dosent exist anymore, gladly
because it was FAKE

I am sorry that this western didn't do anything for you. Everything about it was excellent.