Sam Elliott’s 10 Best Western Movies & TV Shows

The ever-present Sam Elliott has long been a legend in the Western genre, best known for his unique drawling voice and chiseled “All-American” good looks. Elliott has a constant presence in some of the best Western movies ever made and continues to be an iconic figure five decades into his storied career. His performances are often trademarked by playing complex supporting characters, from quintessential cowboys to gritty gunslingers.

From humble beginnings, playing “card player #2” in the classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Elliott went on to play some of the best Western movie characters in iconic roles. Elliot’s work in Western classics like The Sacketts and Tombstone set the stage for his career and springboarded him into more popular roles, such as Shea Brennan, in the incredible 1883 Western TV series. Elliott’s earnestness, integrity, and maturity make all of his Western roles an essential part of each film or series.

10 The Desperate Trail (1994)

As Marshall Bill Speakes

The Desperate Trail is a 1994 Western film written and directed by P. J. Pesce starring Elliott as Marshall Bill Speakes. It follows the story of Sarah O’Rourke (Linda Fiorentino), who, after years of being beaten by her husband, decides enough is enough and murders him. Marshall Speakes and Sarah’s father-in-law sentence her to the Gallows, but after a failed coach hold-up, she escapes and plots revenge and fortune with Jack Cooper, an unlikely ally wishing to help her start a new life.

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In one of Elliott’s darker Western roles, he plays the vindictive and brutal marshall absolutely flawlessly. While others may find sympathy in Sarah’s decision, Elliot’s Speakes harbors a quiet rage that he showcases throughout the film, from “mercy” killing his partner when he is injured while tracking the lead duo to cruelly taunting Sarah when she is in a jail cell awaiting hanging. This role emphasizes Elliott’s ability to portray a variety of personas, and his performance adds a much-needed darker and sinister angle to the narrative.

9 The Hero (2017)

As Lee Hayden

In The Hero, Elliott portrays the aging Western star Lee Hayden, who was known for his golden voice and critically acclaimed performances that saw him become an icon in the genre. However, Hayden’s best memories and roles are decades in the past, and while sitting reminiscing, reliving the glory days, a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis leads him to think about his life and his mortality. The story follows Hayden as he looks to reconnect with his daughter, who he has been estranged from for many years.

While not the typical Western narrative, the film feels extremely close to Elliott’s own story, also an aging Western icon and who must look back at his own career in a similar way to his character. The Hero is an introspective and emotional character study that sees Elliot’s Hayden reflect on his legacy and the life he is currently living. In one of Elliott’s most poignant performances, he plays the role with nuance and maturity, presenting nothing but raw emotion in an incredible film that seems destined for him.

8 Gone To Texas (1986)

As Sam Houston

Elliott stars in the 1986 made-for-TV Western Gone To Texas, portraying Governor of Tennessee Sam Houston throughout his life and involvement in the Texas Revolution. The story starts with Houston’s early years, depicting his rise to Governor and becoming the top-ranked official in the Texian Army, leading his men to victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, one of the most pivotal battles in Texas’s war with Mexico.

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Elliott has been known to take on a wide variety of unique roles, making a biographical role in a film about a Texas Governor no outlier. Elliot’s quiet ability to play someone in a moral conflict while also being fiercely ambitious militarily is an incredible feat. Gone to Texas is an ambitious film that has been acclaimed for its historical accuracy in all areas, in no small part due to Elliott’s gripping and realistic portrayal of Houston, who was a commanding and vocal leader to his soldiers.

7 The Shadow Riders (1982)

As Dal Traven

In the Western TV film The Shadow Riders, an adaption of the 1982 novel of the same name by Louis L’Amour, Elliott and Tom Selleck play two warring brothers who fight for opposing sides of the Civil War in a bloody and brutal battle. After the war, the two must put aside their differences when they realize their siblings have been kidnapped by a gang of raiders. The film follows the brothers on their journey of redemption and revenge while mending their own relationship.

The chemistry between Elliott and Selleck holds the whole narrative together, while the film blends moments of intense action with humor and warmth, and the family storyline contrasts perfectly with the intense rescue mission. The Shadow Riders is full of twists and turns; for instance, after rescuing their brother and sister, they discover another sister has been taken to Mexico. It’s a film that keeps viewers on their toes, with Elliott’s portrayal as a loyal and hardened older brother being a true breakout role in his career.

6 The Quick And The Dead (1987)

As Con Vallian

Also based on a novel by Louis L’Amour, The Quick and the Dead is a Western TV film starring Elliott as Con Vallian, a lone gunslinging cowboy who helps a young married couple, Duncan and Susanna McKaskel, and their son, pass through the dangers of the West in a lawless and untamed land. Vallian supports them in attempting to get their stolen horses back and making their way on to their new life as they get involved with bandits and make enemies along the way.

Elliott is a stand-out in the film, playing the competent, solitary figure that aids a family much in need. He shows a sense of dedication and loyalty, but his character’s courageous presence is excellently portrayed. Vallian’s attraction to Susanna also adds complexity to the film, with the two sharing a passionate kiss after a violent shootout. Elliott plays this part masterfully, both as the family protector and also grappling with his attraction to Susanna. The Quick And The Dead is definitely one of Elliott’s best Wester movies because of his multi-layered and confident performance.

5 Gettysburg (1993)

As General John Buford

Released in 1993, Gettysburg is a historical war drama film that adapts the novel The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, written and directed by Ronald F. Maxwell. The film chronicles the titular battle during the Civil War, exploring both sides’ strategies and intimate character stories as soldiers prepare for one of the bloodiest battles in American history.

Director

Ronald F. Maxwell

Release Date

October 8, 1993

Distributor(s)

New Line Cinema

Writers

Ronald F. Maxwell

Cast

Tom Berenger , Jeff Daniels , Martin Sheen , Kevin Conway , C. Thomas Howell , Richard Jordan , James Lancaster , Stephen Lang , Sam Elliott , Maxwell Caulfield

Runtime

254 Minutes

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In this 1993 American epic Western War film, Elliott portrays General John Buford in an adaption of the 1974 historical novel The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. The film features a star-studded cast, including Tom Berenger, Jeff Daniels, and Martin Sheen, and recounts the early events leading into the Battle of Gettysburg. An historical tour-de-force, it follows the fighting, battles, and military strategies that helped shape the course of the history and landscape of America.

Once again, Elliott’s portrayal of a military leader is tone-perfect, as he gives Buford a lethal combination of intelligence, cunning, and authority to showcase a general faced with incredibly difficult decision-making. Gettysburg‘s depiction of its battle scenes has been praised for impressive historical accuracy, while the movie has aged well overall. Though not a traditional Western role, Elliott brings the same gravitas and strength to his character, making it a must-watch gem in his filmography.

4 The Sacketts (1979)

As Tell Sackett

The Sacketts, directed by Robert Totten, is an American made-for-TV Western based on the brilliant novels The Daybreakers (1960) and Sackett (1961) by L’Amour. The story follows three brothers, Tell, Orrin, and Tyrel (Elliott, Selleck, and Jeff Osterhage), who, after Orri’s tragic wedding day of Orrin, decide to begin a new life in the American West. Together, the trio navigates various feuds and outlaws as they try and make it to a better life and leave their previous troubles behind.

Before The Shadow Riders, Elliott and Selleck teamed up with Osterhage in this epic tale of brotherly adventure. Elliott, portraying the eldest brother, has a commanding presence over all the scenes and action, playing his role with earnest maturity. His portrayal is a reflection of traditional Western ideals, with themes of family, loyalty, and starting a new life on the American frontier. His chemistry with his co-leads and the expansive cinematography throughout the film make this a can’t-miss Western tale.

3 Conagher (1991)

As Conn Conagher

Conagher is a Western film starring Sam Elliott as Conagher, a rugged cowboy navigating the challenges of life in the frontier. Katharine Ross plays Evie Teale, a widow struggling to maintain her homestead and care for her children. Directed by Reynaldo Villalobos, the film explores themes of survival, honor, and love amidst the harsh landscape of the American West.

Director

Reynaldo Villalobos

Release Date

July 1, 1991

Writers

Louis L’Amour , Jeffrey M. Meyer , Sam Elliott , Katharine Ross

Cast

Sam Elliott , Katharine Ross , Barry Corbin , Billy Green Bush , Ken Curtis , Paul Koslo , Gavan O’Herlihy , James Parks

Runtime

94 Minutes

Elliott stars as the titular Conn Conagher in the made-for-TV Western Conagher. The 1991 film follows the story of a family woman, Evie Teale, who becomes a widow after her husband tragically dies on their journey across the American frontier. Struggling to make ends meet and survive with her children in her new homeland, she befriends blown-in cowboy Conn Conagher, and the two form a relationship, with Conn helping Evie out and protecting her and others.

Similar to his role as Con Vallian in The Quick and The Dead, Elliott plays a gunslinging cowboy who helps a family in need while striking up a romantic relationship. In one of his more romantic roles, Elliott is absolutely stellar, and his chemistry with Katharine Ross is palpable. The two share a connection through poems attached to tumbleweeds, the romantic elements combining well with the intensity and grittiness of the action surrounding them. Elliott turns Conagher into a subtle and thoughtful character in one of the best performances of his career.

2 Tombstone (1993)

As Virgil Earp

Tombstone is a Western film loosely based on true events. When a group of outlaws known as the Cowboys ride into a town and slay several police officers for revenge for the death of two of their gang members, word of their misdeeds reaches the ears of a retired lawman. Gathering a group together, the new vigilantes will defend the town and aim to end the terror of the Cowboys.

Director

George P. Cosmatos , Kevin Jarre

Release Date

December 25, 1993

Writers

Kevin Jarre

Cast

Bill Paxton , Charlton Heston , Sam Elliott , Powers Boothe , Val Kilmer , Kurt Russell , Michael Biehn , Jason Priestley

Runtime

130 minutes

In the iconic Western Tombstone, Elliott plays the eldest brother of Kurt Russel’s Wyatt Earp, who helps clean up the town of Tombstone in a film loosely based on events in the 1880s in Southeast Arizona, including the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the Earp Vendetta Ride. The story follows the three brothers and their friend, Val Kilmer’s Doc Holliday, as they aim to settle down legitimately before the lawless nature of their hometown causes tensions and battles with local bandits.

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In one of the greatest Westerns about real-life cowboys and outlaws, Elliott shines in an ensemble cast, not by taking the lead role and the majority of the screentime, but instead through his acting trademark of proving the perfect supporting role. As Virgil, he is totally captivating, showing a seasoned cowboy whose morality and sense of ethics are never in doubt. His chemistry with the whole cast, particularly Russell and Kilmer, is intense, and it remains one of the Western genre’s finest pieces of cinema.

1 1883 (2021-2022)

As Shea Brennan

1883 is a Western drama series set at the beginning of Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone franchise and explores the origins of the Duttons and how Yellowstone came to be. The show chronicles a generation of the Dutton family as they embark on a difficult journey to the western frontier to establish a new legacy.

Cast

Isabel May , Tim McGraw

Release Date

December 19, 2021

Seasons

1

Showrunner

Ron Burkle

In Yellowstone‘s timeline, the Western drama miniseries 1883 is chronologically the first of multiple prequels set over 130 years before the events of Taylor Sheridan’s landmark Western series. 1883 focuses on how the Duttons traveled before arriving at the land that would go on to become the Yellowstone Ranch. The Dutton family joins a wagon train after the Civil War, heading west towards Oregon before settling in Montana, where they continue to face a myriad of dangers and issues.

The character of gritty Civil War veteran Shea Brennan is punctuated with heartbreak due to his wife Helen and daughter passing away from smallpox. This is, without doubt, Elliott’s best Western role; his command of the screen as a man who has been broken but continues to show incredible strength and leadership through a brutal wagon ride is mesmerizing. Sam Elliott fully embodies the role in many emotional and action sequences and helps elevate the series to a modern Western masterpiece.

Sam Elliott

Birthdate

August 9, 1944

Birthplace

Sacramento, California, USA