Thedirectors working in the industry todayare passionate and obsessed with the films of yesteryear. More than many, it isQuentin Tarantinowho has spent decades absorbing the techniques, talents, and stories of cinema’s most influential eras. From the gritty appeal of ‘70s thrillers to the undeniable epics churned out by the ‘60s, his favorites span genres. But apaghettiWesternsof Italy’s golden age hold a special place in Quentin Tarantino’s heart.
With their phenomenal plot details, brutal depiction of violence, and a rousing score, these movies have given the American frontier a new life. As for Tarantino, he has devoured everything Sergio Leone, Sergio Corbucci, and other celebrated directors of the form have delivered with a subversive attitude. The imprint is all over films likeDjango UnchainedandThe Hateful Eight. From the staging to the sensibilities, there are elements from these movies appearing loud and clear in Tarantino’s works. It is no surprise that whenthe Spaghetti Western Databasecame calling during the shooting ofInglourious Basterds, the director eagerly provided a list of his 20 all-time favorites.
As the veil on Quentin Tarantino’s personal canon gets lifted, you will find a pattern in his picks. There are movies that feature obscure cuts alongside close-up shots, recurring themes of revenge, corruption, retribution, and survival, as well as complex characters driven by personal motives. Even musical motifs, particularly those of Italian composer Ennio Morricone, find a place in the heart of the lawless tales of the Old West.While you can look at the sourcefor some runner-ups that did not make it to the list, here are Quentin Tarantino’s top 20 spaghetti Westerns.
20Machine Gun Killers (1968)
Also known asGatling GunorDamned Hot Day of Fire,Machine Gun Killerstakes place during the rugged days of the Civil War. It centers around Richard Gatling, creator of the gatling gun, who finds himself and his invention kidnapped by a half-breed bandit named Tarpas and his mysterious partner. Before they ransom both the assets off, the government sends Captain Chris Tanner, a Union officer who is already accused of three murders, to retrieve the weapon and rescue Gatling. Tanner takes the job as an opportunity to clear his name.
A Stylish and Explosive Western
With its memorable scenes of the desert sands,Machine Gun Killersetches itself into our heads. An intelligent andvisually striking projectfrom the mind of Paolo Bianchini, who also co-wrote the screenplay with José Luis Merino, Claudio Failoni, and Franco Calderoni, the movie combines its complex narrative with occasional humor.
Apart from Robert Woods and John Ireland, the supporting characters include a doctor, a determined agent, and two lovely ladies played by Ida Galli and Claudia Lange. It is no surprise that the movie is Tarantino’s favorite because, beyond the stylish showdowns and explosive energy, it also reveals undercurrents of social change.
19Viva Django! (1967)
Featuring somewhat of a commonplace hero that goes by the name of Django (one that even Tarantino used in his movie),Viva Django!tells a dusty tale of revenge and retribution. The titular hero is a conflicted man whose friend, David Barry, attacked his wife and killed her. After getting out alive, Django’s thirst for vengeance makes him stronger, and he formulates a plan to kill Barry and his gang.
Terence Hill Portrays a Worthy Anti-Hero
Co-written and directed by Ferdinando Baldi,Viva Django!follows typical Spaghetti western tropes, but its narrative is enhanced by the use of violence and comic relief. Terence Hill is seen in one of his defining early roles, and it’s interesting that he portrays Django as a married man this time around because a love story adds heart to the mayhem. Punchy, politically charged, and extremely vibrant, the movie is a cult favorite for many reasons.Rent on Apple TV.
18The Ugly Ones (1966)
Adapted from the 1958 novelThe Bounty Killerwritten by Marvin H. Albert,The Ugly Onesfollows a hardened bounty hunter named Luke Chilson tries to capture Mexican fugitive Jose Gomez. His thirst for pursuing Gomez sends both men into a village, where the latter has somehow convinced the peasants to take his side. Now surrounded and outnumbered, Chilson feels trapped.
Two Men Out for Retribution
Directed by Eugenio Martín and starring Richard Wyler and Tomás Milián (in his debut in the western genre), the movie delivers brotherhood and brutality in equal measure. The delicious game of cat-and-mouse between the two leads depicts the primal pleasures of mankind, an aspect of cinema Tarantino is well versed with.
Halina Zelewska’sfemale lead is a refreshing turnas the movie does not portray her as a mere romantic interest but a strong individual. From the plotting to the characterizations,The Ugly Onesproves to be entertaining in the rawest sense.Stream on Tubi TV.
Related:The 10 Best R-Rated Spaghetti Westerns of All Time
17Tepepa (1968)
In this underrated movie, Tomás Milián plays the role of Jesus Maria “Tepepa” Moran, an unsatisfied peon who turns into a revolutionary bandit determined to protect himself and his rights. He often butts heads with Colonel Cascorro, a tenacious police chief, and an English doctor named Henry Price, who seeks revenge from Tepepa because he led her to take her own life.Tepepais a movie infused with themes of betrayal and honor, all playing out against the backdrop of revolution.
Sends Off the Spaghetti Western Genre with Grit
An atypical western that stands as one of the genre’s last hurrahs,Tepepais directed by Giulio Petroni. A swan-song of the Zapata western sub-genre, itblends violence and visceral actionand brilliant cinematography to elevate the viewing experience.
Tomas Milián’s portrayal ofTepepais riveting, and the cinematic shootout between Milian and Welles is so high-stakes and tense that it only adds weight to the film. The score for the movie was composed by Ennio Morricone, whose notes have echoed in several popular movies as well.
Starring Klaus Kinski, Paolo Casella and Dante Maggio, this classic rides into the sunset of Italian Spaghetti westerns. It follows Dan Hogan and his gang having successfully executed a bank robber and acquired $100,000 in gold bars. As they await Hogan’s girlfriend Eleanor to bring them the gold at the Jackal’s Ranch stagecoach way station, they encounter a mysterious stranger named John Wedd, who has a score to settle with Hogan.
Features an Iconic Chemistry Between the Leads
WithShoot the Living and Pray for the Dead, director Giuseppe Vari graces die-hard fans with a minimalist movie that lacks the glory and spectacle of some great westerns but manages to compensate with strong characters. The unexpectedly brilliant chemistry between the leads paired with the hints of their distinct physicalities makes for a memorable watch. Tarantino likely savors the claustrophobic atmosphere of the film, which is high on tension and double crosses.
15The Grand Duel (1972)
Directed by Giancarlo Santi, who once rode shotgun as Sergio Leone’s assistant director onThe Good, the Bad and the UglyandOnce Upon a Time in the West, this Spaghetti western centers around Philip Wermeer, a mysterious anti-hero who escapes prison after being accused of the murder of Ebenezer Saxon, the patriarch of Saxon city, a man rumored to have killed his father. After teaming up with a grizzled sheriff named Clayton, who is no stranger to the dance of death, Wermeer tries to look for the real killer.
Brings Together Bullets and Blood
Santi uses his experience and expertise to craft a taut thriller filled with unexpected twists and turns. Alberto Dentice oozes a menacing cool as Wermeer, a man whose deeper pain fuels his quest for justice. Lee Van Cleef’s unwavering, worn-out, and steely gaze keeps the thrills and gunplay alive.
While not quite reaching the stratospheric heights of other classics,The Grand Duelfeatures enough bullets, blood, and vengeance, as well as amean and lean storytelling approachthat Tarantino has a knack for.Stream on The Roku Channel.
14The Great Silence (1968)
One of the four favorite films of Tarantino directed by Sergio Corbucci,The Great Silenceis set in the desolate snow-covered landscapes of Utah prior to the Great Blizzard of 1899. A mute gunslinger, dubbed only as Silence, roams a lawless land. After saving a young widow, he learns of the rural communities who are living under constant threat from vicious bounty killers led by Loco. Soon, Silence finds himself taking on the entire syndicate in a climactic duel.
Rare Anti-Western That Packs a Punch
Corbucci’s politically-charged allegory on society and man’s humanity was an inspiration to many filmmakers.The Great Silenceis nothing short of a masterpiece. Although bleak and dark in tone, with the snowy landscapes creating a haunting backdrop, the thought-provoking deconstruction at the core of the movie is unique and powerful.
Worth praising are performances from Jean-Louis Trintignant, Klaus Kinski, and Luigi Pistilli. Tarantino likely sees the movie as a visual poetry, because he references it in Leonardo DiCaprio’s fictional career in the movie, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood.Stream on Hoopla.
13The Dirty Outlaws (1967)
InThe Dirty Outlaws, Andrea Giordana plays the role of Steve, an outlaw who disguises himself as the son of a blind man to steal a cache of gold that belongs to the man. However, when a gang of bandits arrives at the nearly deserted town to rob it, they also get their hands on the gold. Now, a fight driven by desperation, greet, and survival erupts between the outlaw and the bandits.
A Raw Portrayal of the Frontier
Tarantino ranksThe Dirty Outlawsat number 13 on his list of top 20 favorite Spaghetti Westerns. It is obvious that he admires director Franco Rossetti’s raw vision of a town drowning in the sins of others.
The cinematography captures the West quite accurately, with Giordana grounding the movie with his performance. Apart fromthe twists and turnsand hidden agendas, the movie also boasts a brutal murder – that of the blind man. Overall, it stands as one of the grittier and forgotten entries in the genre.
Related:15 Underrated Comedy Westerns That Don’t Get Enough Attention
12A Pistol for Ringo (1965)
A Pistol for Ringois written and directed by Duccio Tessari. Its iconic opening scene sees a gunfighter known as Angel Face, or Ringo, killing four men in a gunfight and being imprisoned for manslaughter right after. On the other hand, as a family celebrates Christmas on their ranch, they are interrupted by a gang of bandits who threaten them and their guests, holding them hostage. The town sheriff strikes a deal with Ringo – free the hostages and kill the bandits in exchange for freedom.
Cements Itself as a Standalone Epic
Montgomery Wood is the stuff of nightmares as the enigmatic Ringo, seeking vengeance even upon those who didn’t wrong him. The tension in the movie builds constantly as alliances shift as greed takes the wheel and stakes rise.
Perhaps the reason thatA Pistol for Ringois director Quentin Tarantino’s favorite is that it fabricates a complex dance of suspense and distrust using simple moves and precise care. A slick standalone that paved the way for an unofficial sequel in the same year, the movie is an entertaining ride.Stream on Tubi TV.
11The Big Gundown (1966)
Set against the backdrop of an unforgiving frontier,The Big Gundownintroduces us to Lawman John Corbett, a bounty hunter running towards retirement. His reputation for bringing criminals to justice precedes him, which is why a Texas-based business tycoon hires him to track down Cuchillo, a bandit accused of a heinous crime. However, as Corbett dives into the chase, he realizes that this isn’t a simple run-of-the-mill pursuit and that his employer may have hidden motives.
Sergio Sollima’s Thought-Provoking Masterclass
Director Sergio Sollima uses the genre’s canvas, crafting an atypical thriller thatkeeps the audiences investedthrough unpredictable twists and turns. It dives into deeper themes of capitalism, frontier greed, class inequality, and an unjust system. As usual, Lee Van Cleef exudes intimidation through his chiseled features and hawk-like gaze. His silence alone speaks volumes. Young Tomas Milian proves a worthy foil. Overall,The Big Gundownis a captivating and endlessly rewatchable Western.Stream on Fubo TV.
