Does Young Guns count?

By the way, what's a "Spaghetti Western"?

Sounds like an item on the menu at Carl's Jr.
Seriously, though...what is it?

All time favorites:
The Big Country
Rio Bravo

Close Seconds:
Mackenna's Gold
Once Upon a Time in the West

Not a true Western, as in 'out west', this one takes place in the Sahara, but very similar and a favorite: Legend of the Lost

Rio Bravo
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Magnificent Seven

It was a type of western that was made predominately in Spain and Italy (hence the name) during the 60's & 70's. They differed from American westerns in that they were usually more dark and violent and featured characters that were more morally ambigious than usually found in an American western, with the main characters either fueled by revenge or greed more often than not. They would generally have a Italian or Spanish film crew, but would often star American B-list actors who couldn't find decent work over here (i.e. Lee Van Cleef, Clint Eastwood at the time). The most well known Spaghetti Westerns (or Eurowesterns, if you prefer) are the ones directed by Sergio Leone: Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, The Good the Bad and the Ugly. There were hundreds of others made during that time, ranging in quality from pretty good to really bad, as they generally were low budget with writing, acting, and directing that was far from top notch. Few of them even approached the quality of the Sergio Leone westerns, but a few others that are generally well liked are Django, They Call Me Trinity, My Name is Nobody, Day of Anger, and Death Rides a Horse.

See the quote below for my personal favorite.

I've always enjoyed Fulci's stuff, especially Four of the Apocalypse. But you are right, most Spaghetti's can't touch Leone's for quality.

I forgot all about My name is Nobody, that was a cool flick.

Tombstone is a great modern western. For a slicked up hollywood affair, it turns out to be an awesome movie (sans the last 20 minutes or so when it bonazaed out)

Same with Unforgiven. One i havent seen mentioned is Open range. I really liked this western, good shootout at the end. Maybe its a costner bias that people dont give this movie a fair shake.

All the clint stuff is great. Love Yul in the Magnificent Seven

Old stuff I like on dvd include Will Penny, Wild Bunch, High Noon, Pat Garret and billy the kid.

My all time favorite western is THE LONG RIDERS. You can pick that one up pretty cheap.

Good call....I like this one as well.

also see here for a thread on Spaghetti Western Box Sets. Add to it if you have ideas.

Why no Spagetti Westerns?

They're the best. Leone is god!

After reading the explanation of what a spaghetti western is, I have a different opinion. I always thought spaghetti westerns were those happy cheesy western movies. The ones that are just so stupid, can't even get through the first five minutes. I thought they were like the disney version of westerns.

The main reason I was asking is, I have been doing research on a story now for about 8 years that happened about 150 years ago. Don't ask why I have been, I have no idea. It just an area I like to visit and I got curious on the history. I have tons of historical information on this event and my friend who works as a V.P. for the feature production dept at a movie studio has convinced me to write a movie script on it. It has all the makings of a great western. Love to tell you more about it but that wouldn't be too smart to publicly broadcast my idea. Unfortunately, my knowledge of westerns is the modern westerns such as Tombstone (which I love) and also Young Guns. I thought it's time I start watching some westerns. I have Youngs Guns 1 and 2, Tombstone, Silverado, and Open range already. I went out and bought Once Upon a Time in the West and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly last night. I also rented Magnificent Seven and Josey Wales Outlaw last night. Also added a ton of the ones you guys have suggested to my Blockbuster.com rental list. Thanks!!

One Western that I love...Still needs a release on DVD is El Topo...I heard one time it was coming out and there hasn't been a peep since regarding this DVD

No offense to Cyberock, but I just had to comment on this.

So someone who has no idea what a Spaghetti Western is and whose knowledge of Western films is limited to "Tombstone" and "Young Guns" has been asked by a movie studio executive to write a script for a Western?

I think this goes a long way toward explaining why Hollywood has been making so many terrible, terrible movies lately.

Cyberock--

In your story, don't forget about the two most popular guys in the West...Smith & Wesson.

Nicholas Meyer had no idea what Star Trek was when he was signed on to direct Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, so I guess it could work.

No offense taken. The reason my friend told me to write this is because I know a lot about this certain event. I totally admit to him that the hardest part for me to do would be to get the language and the authenticy down. That's why there would be a rewrite by a co-writer after I'm done. I just hope if this is ever bought that I'm involved on the rewrite because I wouldn't want to lose the actual facts to the story. Trust me, I know I'm no western expert, I just know a lot about this event. Like I've said, I have researched this for 8 years now gathering every newspaper article on this at that time (which let me tell you, not easy to read papers that are a 150 years old) plus I have collected a lot of other documentation and records. Interview people who's grandparents were involved and so on. I think the reason I want to watch more westerns is in hope maybe I can get it right on my own so another writer wouldn't have to touch my story.

Eastwood's Unforgiven SE
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Tombstone
Wyatt Earp SE
Once Upon a Time in the West
Good Bad & Ugly SE
Lonesome Dove
Young Guns SE

These are some of my favorites. I would like to add Dances with Wolves even though some may argue its not a western.

Bryan Singer also never read an X-men comic before he was given the X-men movies.

I was not mentioning any Italian films because thats something the original poster did not want. since there is discussion of it now...let me add one of my fave sketti cowboy films of all time:

The Great Silence

Next to Leone, Django is by far the best spagetti western! Besides that, the only spagetti western really worth viewing is Keoma.

so you didn't like Great Silence? damn.

I agree with the first part, but Keoma's music, especially the female vocalist and her screeching, really got on my nerves. That said, the Anchor Bay DVD is quite good and includes a commentary by Castelliari.

I couldn't disagree more, I guess you don't like some of best the genre has to offer. I can't believe you don't like Companeros, one of my all-time favorite Westerns seeing two of the SW icons in fun roles. There are so many other great SWs, it's a shame to just limit yourself to the most mainstream ones.

The best western ever made.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance