The end of summer is approaching, and there’s no better time to brace for the upcoming storms and cooler weather than by retreating inside and slipping away into a typical streaming binge. However, if you find yourself yearning for the return of the scorching sun, you can always turn back time and travel to the wonderful world of theWesterngenre, where you’ll also find spurred boots and big irons in ample measure.
Tubiis tailored to such an occasion. Aside from featuring plenty of vintage classics and hidden gems, you may be surprised at what this free-to-use streaming service has to offer for the month of August. While most associate Tubi with its abundant horror movies, you’d be surprised at the number of hidden gems and fantastic flicks hiding in its content library. Watch these while you’re able to, as the best westerns coming to Tubi in August may not be there by the end of the month.
Sukiyaki Western Django
Sukiyaki Western Djangois a prime example of “going full circle.” Much like how the works of Akira Kurosawa were readjusted into a multitude of spaghetti westerns,Sukiyaki Western Djangotwists those same westerns back into a Japanese setting.Directed by Takashi Miike, this straightforward tale sees a man with no name arrive in a town decimated by the rivalry between two gangs. However, instead of joining in on the chaos, he opts to forge his own path through the hail of bullets.
Yes, Quentin Tarantino shows up. He, along with an ensemble cast made up of Hideaki Ito, Koichi Sato, and Kaori Momoi, star in this stylish tribute to Sergio Leone’s most popular films. If that’s not enough of a sell, it also features theDjangotheme sung exclusively in Japanese.
Boss (1974)
Bosswas originally released in the mid-1970s under a far more explicit title. You’ll know it when you see it. But underneath that title, there’s an interesting piece of film-making going on. One of the rare blaxploitation westerns that released around this time, Fred Williamson stars alongside D’Urville Martin as a pair of black bounty hunters in the American frontier.
As they stumble into a small town on a hunt for an outlaw, they find themselves taking on the town’s lawlessness when they self-appoint themselves as sheriff. However, they’ll find themselves tackling more than just gun-toting outlaws in their newfound venture.
The first film ever produced and written by Williamson,Bossis easily the most recognizable of the blaxploitation westerns. It’s an intriguing time capsule of the 1970s, and whenpaired withBlazing Saddles– which came out the around the same time – you get two similar films that address a similar subject in completely opposite ways.
A Korean Westernisn’t something you see every day. Trending more towards action instead of traditional Western tropes,The Good, the Bad, the Weirdwas directed by Kim Jee-woon prior to the release ofI Saw the Deviland features some pretty recognizable talent. Set in 1930s Manchuria, we follow the adventure of three individuals whose mutual interest in a long-lost treasure sees them fighting it out with the Japanese army, Russian bandits, and each other.
Song Kang-ho (Parasite,Memories of Murder), Lee Byung-hun (I Saw the Devil,Squid Game), and Jung Woo-sung (Asura: The City of Madness) star as the Weird, the Bad, and the Good, respectively. While the film takes some broad strokes fromThe Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, what you’ll find instead is an engaging action-adventure flick with some pretty wild flair in its step.
Buffalo Boys
Keeping the international western train going, we haveBuffalo Boys. Made to be an action-oriented anti-colonialism film,Buffalo Boyseschews talking heads and dramatic moments in favor of bombastic gunfights, tense confrontations, and more. Jamar (Ario Bayu) and Suwo (Yoshi Sudarso), the nephews of Indonesian resistance fighters, find themselves returning to their homeland after spending their adulthood on the American frontier. With ample weaponry, the two brothers find themselves with plenty of ammunition and a burning desire for revenge against those who caused their turmoil.
Cowboy shootouts and martial arts are certainly an unconventional combination. You can’t exactly say that anything quite likeBuffalo Boyshas come out since its original release. If you ever wanted to see cowboys shoot guns and kick heads in equal measure, this Indonesian-Singaporean action flick may just be for you.
Related:Best Western Movies Since 2000, Ranked
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
Akira Kurosawa fans, meetThe Magnificent Seven. Before getting remade in 2016, this classic John Sturges western is an officially-sanctioned remake of Kurosawa’sSeven Samurai. Thankfully, most would agree that this Westernized reinterpretation stands on its own footing when compared to Kurosawa’s epic. A group of seven gunfighters find themselves fighting against an army of bandits for some paltry pay from a Mexican village. It’s a simple premise, but what lies in wait is one of the most grandiose Westerns of our time.
A brilliant score from Elmer Bernstein accompaniesThe Magnificent Seven, with some even considering it to be the best aspect of the film. Other points of praise include its luxurious cinematography and the ensemble cast featuring Charles Bronson and Yul Brynner.The Magnificent Sevenis considered to be one of Sturges' best movies in his lengthy filmography, and given how many Westerns he put out, that’s quite an accomplishment.
Stagecoach (1939)
Claire Trevor and John Wayne would become full-blown movie stars after their role inStagecoach. An adaptation of a short story by Ernest Haycox,Stagecoachsees a group of strangers united by a single purpose – crossing from Arizona to New Mexico on a large stagecoach.
One of the biggest Westerns directed by John Ford, who would later direct films likeClementineandRio Grande,Stagecoachis a milestone in the genre that has influenced dozens of Westerns since its original release. It would even be used by Orson Welles as a source of inspiration during theproduction ofCitizen Kane.
They Call Me Hallelujah
Released in 1971,They Call Me Hallelujahstars George Hilton in aclassic spaghetti westernstory. Set in Mexico during the 1860s, an American gunman named Hallelujah is entrusted by General Ramirez to steal a case of priceless jewels to fund an army. But, when the set of jewels are revealed to be fake, a tense chase for the real thing ensues with Hallelujah, a Russian noble, and a mysterious nun leading an army of bandits in their stead.
Directed by Giuliano Carnimeo, this spaghetti western features a fabulous duo in the form of George Hilton and Charles Southwood, along with other memorable side characters participating in the grand chase. If you’re more into the comedic side of spaghetti westerns,They Call Me Hallelujahis more than a serviceable pick.
Starring the legendary Lee Van Cleef and Warren Oates, we haveBarquero. This Gordon Douglas western is interesting due to its focus on a single location. Oates leads a gang of vicious outlaws during their escape from a successful robbery, only to be stumped by an impassable river. A barge operator, played by Cleef, refuses to transport the gang across while ferrying those nearby to safety. What we get as a result is a vicious standoff, one where both sides have something to lose across the vast body of water.
Barquerofeatures a rare instance of role reversal in its cast, with Cleef playing our steely hero and Oates playing a sadistic villain. There’s plenty of tension to be had with this fierce western standoff, with a handful of duels blowing up between the particularly suspenseful moments.
Related:5 Reasons Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight Is a Western Masterpiece
Red Sun (1971)
Another day, another 1970sCharles Bronson Western. This time around, Bronson stars inRed Sun, a Western that incorporates some international elements into its main story. Set in 1870, a Japanese ambassador travels to Washington D.C. to deliver a cherished sword to the president. However, they’re unaware that the train they’re riding on is currently hosting a pair of gun-toting thieves.
Directed by Terence Young (From Russia with Love,Dr. No), this east-meets-western also stars Alain Delon (Le SamouraÏ), Toshiro Mifune (Seven Samurai,Yojimbo), and Ursula Andress (Dr. No). If you ever wanted to see Charles Bronson team up with one of the greatest actors in film history,Red Suntakes this weird west concept and rolls with it in the best of ways.
Requiescant
Alternatively known asKill and Pray,Requiescantis a Carlo Lizzani spaghetti western released in the mid-1960s. When a Mexican community is slaughtered by the Confederacy, the sole survivor is adopted by a preacher. Now a full-grown man, played by Lou Castel, he’s more than capable of spreading faith and hot brass in equal measure. However, after a vow of pacifism, Castel finds himself crossing paths with the men who killed his family, presenting an ample opportunity for revenge.
Featuringsome unique duels, consistent pacing, and some story beats left up to the audience’s interpretation; this off-color western is one that should be given a chance if you’re inclined to do so.
