Bad guys in Westerns that Hijacked the Show

[@stevegroen1116]

You left out the best one. Henry Fonda in Once apon a time in the west. His first time as a bad guy was epic.

[@garfieldsmith332]

One of Fonda's' best roles.

[@Fyodor48]

hard to disagree as for me was one of Fonda's finest performances; that said, would be a most difficult choice if one were to have been left out too accomodate Fonda.. It was an excellent upload regardless.

[@gatedancer17]

I thought so too. Surprised to see how he could play such a cold blooded villian, but he sure did.

[@garfieldsmith332]

@@gatedancer17 Leone thought so. He told Fonda he wanted those baby blue eyes of his on a cold blooded killer.

[@xScooterAZx]

Oooh,he was really bad in that movie.

[@darrylbuckett5380]

Eli was the best in the Good the Bad and the Ugly, should have got an Oscar, especially as it was a three hour movie, in which he featured a lot, loved the gun shop scene, brilliant just brilliant, and if you gotta shoot, shoot, don't talk. Great line that. Cheers

[@romans325kjb]

What I say. Should have won a Oscar for sure. Bet the person that won that year wasn't even close to the performance ELI did. A+. Same with Magnificent Seven. Great performance 👍👍. Eli was a under rated actor.

[@DH_264]

' Id id idiots' 'It's for you.'

[@garfieldsmith332]

If the film had been American made and produced he would have. In fact the film deserves several Oscars. Back then it could have only garnered a foreign film nomination (Italian language version).

[@darrylbuckett5380]

@@garfieldsmith332 Good point. Cheers

[@ladypeahen8829]

Eli was the best. Period. Loved him in Baby Doll.

[@robertleslie2467]

One name. Tuco. Best bad guy and one of the most beloved characters in a movie ever filmed. The only other actor I hold in as high regard is Robert Shaw as Capt. Quint in “Jaws”. When films were entertaining and worth watching.

[@KasFromMass]

Tuco the Ugly, but not the Bad

[@1mespud]

Lee Marvin as Liberty Valance! A real bad guy that you loved to hate.

[@glennso47]

Lee Marvin in Hell In The Pacific.

[@roberthickerty390]

Gene hackman pretty much hijacks every movie he is in. One of the best actors ever.

[@Drewtheelder]

I've never seen him in a bad movie.

[@junosaxon4370]

Agreed. He was great in both French Connection movies, my favourite was the second.

[@Fyodor48]

*agree* op, Hackman was truly a rare breed indeed, an exceptionally gifted actor

[@queenslander954]

Yea mate , absolutely on the money , the greatest American actor ever.

[@MrDubyadee1]

Yes and that includes Unforgiven - my favorite western. As “Little Bill” he was incredible. Nice ordinary guy who is a ruthless bully.

[@barbaralovenvirth8726]

Lee Van Cliff was such a laid back, sofisticated villian ... always held your attention

[@pauljacob2449]

Eli Wallach ( Tuco) " if you going to shoot - shoot -don't talk " great improvised line.

[@famouspeople63]

And true

[@dennisr1683]

You missed Henry Fonda in Once Upon a Time in the West. His character "Frank" was an awesome bad guy.

[@Chiller11]

Ben Foster was outstanding in 3:10 to Yuma. He did embody that unredeemable evil that just left you cold. Chewed up some impressive scenery in that film.

[@mikejacobs7464]

Michael Biehn as Johnnie Ringo in Tombstone was a great bad guy! His scenes with Val Kilmer (Doc Holiday) were absolutely amazing!

[@sidwalker4194]

How about Gene Hackmans' characterization of Little Bill in Unforgiving?

[@GH-oi2jf]

In Unforgiven, there were no good guys. Little Bill had good and bad traits, as did most of the characters, but he was more good than bad.

[@Michael-yl2iq]

Eli Wallach has always been one of my favorite actors.

[@silverjohn6037]

If you do a follow up video on the same topic Burl Ives in Big Country deserves a mention. When the man who sang Frosty the Snowman is the toughest guy in the movie you know it's a good character;).

[@TimCarter]

Jimmy Durante sang Frosty the Snowman. Burl Ives sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Holly Jolly Christmas.

[@silverjohn6037]

@@TimCarter Dang, you are correct. But my original point still stands up;).

[@geraldpierini9010]

Burl Ives was great in "The Big Country", but, I never considered him the villain.

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

Bruce Dearn's daughter is the actress Laurna Dearn. She said that she went to her friends house once only to be sent home by her friends mom. It was because her dad killed John Wayne.

[@terryv]

That would be "Dern".

[@oldguy9051]

@@terryv Oh dear!

[@indy_go_blue6048]

There's a story that when Wayne's makeup for the death scene in "The Cowboys" was being applied, he laughingly said, "you know Bruce, they're going to hate you for killing me." And because of how viciously it was done, they did; it nearly finished his career. A sci-fi movie was actually written for Dern to be a likeable protagonist, but he never reached the same height of popularity again and many oldsters hate him to this day!

[@oldguy9051]

@@indy_go_blue6048 Today, he would be applauded...

[@warrenbates2949]

Bruce Dern the ultimate bad guy, Hang Em High,The Cowboys, numerous tv Westerns.

[@bladestar2322]

Ah, the Charismatic Villain! The Villains are sometimes more interesting than the Heroes! Another terrific Video!

[@MrBrett1963]

Great list! I am glad you put Eli Wallach's role of Calvera ahead of his role of Tuco.

[@DH_264]

I've always wondered why thy didn't name the character 'CalAvera' (= Skull)

[@eronavbj]

To ignore the cold-blooded “Frank” played by Henry Fonda in Sergio Leone's “Once Upon a Time in the West” invalidated this list for me.

[@OroborusFMA]

Frank is the only reason to watch that bloated, boring mess!

[@steveclapper5424]

Frank was easily one of the scariest villains to take the screen, absolutely merciless and cruel. That opening scene where he murders that little boy was etched into my brain.

[@arejaycee5704]

Frank was definitely a stand out bad guy.

[@jackraglin5526]

I agree, 100%. His depiction of vicious sadism was unmatched.

[@rony41165]

Gene hackman in unforgiven

[@larrywest538]

Good call…..

[@millerforester6237]

You bet! Stole the show from Clint. And it was Clint's movie.

[@xray86delta]

Great list! Eli Wallach as Calvera was my favorite Bandit perhaps ever! "You have to answer for Every Good Deed!" 😉😸

[@robertgoss4842]

Thanks for an eye-opening take on the bad guys. Richard Boone was a superb baddie, as was Lee Vancleef. Well done video.

[@gerrythekay]

How could you forget Henry Fonda in Once Upon a Time in the West?

[@glennso47]

Walter Brennan in Support Your Local Sheriff. He played a bad guy in the movie.

[@Grussky_40]

Michael Biehn as Johnny Ringo in TOMBSTONE was pretty darn good too… Say when.

[@36736fps]

My all time favorite villain has to be Jack Palance in Shane. In the scene you showed, he treats his villainy as performance art, including climbing the sidewalk stairs like a performer climbing unto a stage. His character relishes the role.

[@famouspeople63]

I liked the scene when he mounted his horse. When they filmed it they reversed the film. He was actually dismounting.

[@michaels2747]

You forgot henry fonda

[@danadesimone9322]

The ones posted are ok..but Fondas portrayal as Frank is classic

[@rony41165]

From once upon a tine in the west

[@rony41165]

How about broderick crawford in fastest gun alive.

[@ronaldgavlick732]

Rony41165 Time not tine

[@danbaer2688]

Tuco and Angel Eyes were the best 😂

[@famouspeople63]

In the history books as a couple of the best

[@sarahlittle7021]

You found a new subscriber. I would add 2 that may seem out of the box contenders. Allen Rickman in Quigley Down Under and Leonardo DiCaprio in Django Unchained. Great list though.

[@famouspeople63]

Take a look at my Tom Selleck video. Quigley Down Under mentioned in several other videos like Westerns about gun accuracy and Rickman featured in Western duels. Also westerns made in Australia. DiCapri and Unchained in several videos as well. Welcome as a subscribers. Don't forget to hit the notification bell to get my new videos.

[@JamesMiller-br7fe]

Allen Rickman was brilliant.

[@Uptown59]

Quite a few have commented that Henry Fonda in Once Upon A Time In The West should be on this list. I say not only should this character be on it, it should be #1 as some consider this to be one of the greatest westerns ever. The acting, the soundtrack, the story line.

[@Kevin-wr9um]

Eli Wallach, great actor on stage and screen (see The Tiger Makes Out) would not be cast in those rolls today and Anthony Quinn wouldn't have a career. It's called acting which is pretending to be something you are not. Wokness has ruined Hollywood and don't even mention Peter Lorre as Mr. Moto!

[@Tordogor]

I love Nehemiah Persoff and Lee Marvin in 'The Comancheros'! Richard Boone in 'Big Jake' is very good also.

[@glennso47]

Nehemiah Perstop.

[@danielcombs3048]

Agreed, Richard Boone aka John Fain. What a son of a gun he was with that part. 🤠👍

[@patrickt6642]

That buildup to fight scene between Wayne and marvin was classic in comancheros .you felt the tension

[@guitarmangordon.9286]

When you put a great actor in a supporting role, there's a good chance they'll steal the show.

[@millerforester6237]

Stanley Holloway in "My Fair Lady". #1 stealer

[@jamesquirk4999]

Klaus Klinski was excellent as hunchback in For Dollars 💸 More.

[@indy_go_blue6048]

Mild fix, it's Kinski, no L.

[@Methadone4Life]

Great vid, but Eli Wallach is prounounced wall akk not wall atch...hope this helps. Keep up the good work.

[@PlanetEarth3141]

FP, I think that list was perfect. I got a tear remembering those performances and the actors who did them now gone. Of course, none were more handsome than Jack Elam. 😅 I suppose Dern might still be alive.

[@jasonkane8200]

Did you see him in The Hateful Eight

[@PlanetEarth3141]

@@jasonkane8200 Yes, I saw that movie. Not exactly your typical western but Kurt does things different which is why I like him. He's not exactly Hollywood like neither is Clint or Kubrick or Sergio or Jackson or Costner.

[@TracySmith-xy9tq]

Lee van Cleef is the best of the bad.

[@josepherhardt164]

Yeah. I tuned into a movie of his after the opening title and credits, and was totally confused until I figured out he was playing the good guy for a change. Egads!

[@oldguy9051]

@@josepherhardt164 He made some great good guys, for example in "Barquero" and of course in "The Big Gundown". The last one also has one of the best Morricone-soundtracks.

[@josepherhardt164]

@@oldguy9051 I'll check those out. Thanks!

[@brianfchadderton]

You nailed it ! Luv watching old westerns

[@FredCDobbs-er4qd]

You are right on the button with these picks. My favorite of the group? That's a tough one. Okay, Lee Marvin but his two sidekicks were also awesome, Lee Van Cleef and Strother Martin.

[@bravehome4276]

A compelling list to be sure! Just an an FYI, for future videos, in Eli Wallach's last name the 'ch' is pronounced with a 'k' sound (like in mach 5 , or charisma). He is so prevalent an actor that I thought you might want to know.

[@PlanetEarth3141]

Correctomungus man.

[@stephenater9687]

Robots do not care.

[@bravehome4276]

@@stephenater9687 Obviously you've never seen Ex Machina....

[@robertwalegir8677]

Amazing video you picked all the right ones I’m sure of some people going to give you suggestions however, you really did your homework. Thank you for posting this brought back. Great memories for me.

[@STEVEOMEMES]

Eli Wallach's was so good in the 7 !!

[@famouspeople63]

Yes, stole the show

[@oleplanthafer7034]

Klaus Kinski is the ultimate villain, in "For A Few Dollars More" (and others) as well as in real life. Deserves his own feature one day (warts and all)!

[@famouspeople63]

See my video on him in my channel

[@rustyknott-W.D]

My vote as best bad guy in a western is Lee Marvin's Liberty Valance. He dominates every scene he's in. Evil incarnate. The scene of Walter Brennan and Gary Cooper waking up in bed together in "The Westerner" is an all time classic. Who can forget Harvey Korman as Hedley Lamarr in "Blazing Saddles"?

[@Cliff_Dixon_42]

"When the chimes end, pick up your gun. Try and shoot me, Colonel. Just try."

[@nadapuesnada7716]

Yes!

[@queenslander954]

Lee Marvin in Liberty Valance was a total arse kicker.

[@Fyodor48]

dude, happy to sub, this was a thoughtful and cerebral look at the genre. Many thanks for the work.

[@rony41165]

Walterbrennan did the same in my darling clementine playing the clanton patriarch

[@terryv]

Yes, that was his finest performance ever.

[@millerforester6237]

Westerns as still the best dramas on the big screen. Modern versions are too far from the 19th century.

[@user-fc6ci8dh3m]

Just excellent choices. Palance is my all time but Hackman and Marvin were master craftsman.

[@nadapuesnada7716]

Don't forget Emilio Fernández as "Mapache" in "The Wild Bunch".

[@rogersmith4834]

SHANE's top bad guy was Emile Meyer as the land baron, Riker. He is the focus of the driving dialog of the entire script, and even tries to get young Brandon De Wilde to side with him. He terrorizes the sodbusters, and it is he who sends for Jack Palance's Wilson. Meyer's Riker is the reason for the story and he's a chilling villain, but he is down at 7th in the screen credits, and all but ignored in revisits to SHANE.

[@millerforester6237]

You may be right on this one. Maybe his character was a bit subtle to be #1 villain. But Jack was big on the screen. Shane, one the very best westerns ever. Try "Ride the High Country" with Joel McRea & Randolph Scott.

[@TheRustyLM]

Ei steals every scene. Every time.

[@vernonsaayman9741]

Dean martin ,.rougj night in jericho,,,,,rudolfo alfonso in ,,the proud ones,, karl malden in ,,the hanging tree,, nevada smith,, one eyed jacks,., Stephen boyd on ,,the bravados,, i like this series immensly, ive seen probably more westerns than any south african to date

[@PlanetEarth3141]

Those are good other films. 😊

[@larrywest538]

Stephen Boyd, good call….

[@thomasgrable1746]

I've long thought that Eli Wallach's character in The Magnificent Seven was an improvement on Kurosawa's original epic. "If God had not intended for them to be shorn, he would not have made them sheep."

[@famouspeople63]

Great line

[@stevecaranci2463]

You left out Elli Wallach in his best role. As Touko Ramirez in the Good the Bad and the Ugly, he stole the show hands down.

[@bladestar2322]

I very much enjoyed it!

[@Boron121]

I don't agree with El Indio. I always thought the part overacted. I would replace him with Michael Biehn's Johnny Ringo. The whole movie we waited for Ringo & Doc to shoot it out.

[@PlanetEarth3141]

It's a good point. I like Biehn in every movie I've seen him in. El Indio is done extremely well or frankly there is no movie there.

[@jasonkane8200]

Well, Michael Biehn chewed an awful of scenery in that one. (Just as an aside; Holliday didn't kill Ringo) I would've replaced El Indio with Frank from Once Upon a Time in the West.

[@nadapuesnada7716]

The final gunfight between Colonel Mortimer and El Indio (with the music of Ennio Morricone) is the greatest showdown I've ever seen.

[@TonySurajlal]

Eli Wallach as Tuco ... iconic

[@steveclapper5424]

I saw the Magnificent Seven as a very young boy and I was absolutely mesmerized Steve MC Queen! But the character of the bandit leader really stuck with me. Good list but missing Henry Fonda.

[@marcbordelon218]

What about the actor who played Johnny Ringo in 'Tombstone'?

[@warrenbates2949]

Great films,Eli Wallach, Richard Boone and Bruce Dern get my vote.

[@sidensvans67]

Excellent . These are wonderful movies with stellar actors .

[@terryv]

Narrator, PLEASE learn how to pronounce the names of the stars you’re discussing. I’m thinking of course, of Eli WALLACH.

[@gwine9087]

All great actors.

[@ropeburnsrussell]

Richard Boone is terrifying in Hombre. "Well now, what do you suppose hell is gonna look like?"

[@anthonyfrew1571]

Bad guy roles are always great to play - Jack Palance and Lee Marvin stole film after film

[@patrickholland6848]

I had never heard Eli Wallach's name pronounced quite like that before.

[@terryv]

Yup, and he said it over and over and over again! Cringe-worthy.

[@BalBaaBart]

@@terryvYeah, those AI-generated voice-overs still need a lot of fine-tuning

[@latze74]

Good list! I'm not saying I agree 100%, ofc, but you've put great work into it. Thank you!

[@larrywest538]

You did great…. Excellent Bad Guys…. Well done…!!!!

[@condrd1]

Good stuff sir, gotta love a "Good" villain! Thank you!

[@famouspeople63]

You bet, they add color to the movies

[@TonySurajlal]

Big shout out to Gene Hackman in Unforgiven...memorable

[@gatedancer17]

Gian Maria Volonté as El Indo was probably the best ever. Great actor. He seemed real. Eli Wallach was just annoying, same as in GB&U.

[@Kermit_T_Frog]

Villains tend to "hijack the show" in cultures where villains are admired. Not sure I ever saw a John Wayne western in which the villain made much of an impression.

[@sidwalker4194]

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence is the exception

[@Kermit_T_Frog]

@@sidwalker4194 Good point. Same with Bruce Dern in "The Cowboys."

[@lewismccann5531]

Richard Boone in Big Jake

[@Kermit_T_Frog]

@@lewismccann5531 I've probably seen that. Just don't remember. But you can't do better than Richard Boone.

[@althomason9721]

What about Powers Booth as Curly Bill in Toombstone?

[@captainblake4574]

Two suggestions : 1) Gun Fury, 1953 : starring Rock Hudson as the good guy. The bad guy is played by the tall, handsome Phil Carey, who is always excellent in ambiguous or heavy characters. 2) Wyoming Renegades, 1955 : this time, Phil Carey plays a former criminal turned honest, the good guy. The bad guy is played by Gene Evans as Butch Cassidy. Yes, I admit it, I'm partial to Phil Carey... 💓

[@Jlundeen]

Great list. A lot of great villians here. Walter Brennan is my favorite. He saved that movie from a dull Gary Cooper. And quite different from the menacing likes of Jack Palance and Lee Marvin.

[@larryotto8456]

That was very interesting about those actors. Very interesting. Thank you very much for the very nice to know about these guys later on. Keep your powder dry.

[@timothyarmstrong3801]

Very well done

[@geoffreypiltz271]

Elisha Cook Jr. (Hollywood's littlest heavy) in the first clip. Now HE deserves more recognition.

[@garfieldsmith332]

Great list. Lee Van Cleef also played a despicable villain in Day of Anger. Klaus Kinski was pure evil in The Great Silence. Both roles would easily be added to your list. I find Hackman's role in Quick and the Dead too over the top. It bordered on comedic to me. Did not like the film at all.

[@famouspeople63]

Take a look at my videos on LVC and KK in my channel

[@garfieldsmith332]

@@famouspeople63 I have been checking out your videos. Good stuff.

[@cjs750]

Not technically a movie, but I thought Frederic Forrest was outstanding as Blue Duck in "Lonesome Dove".

[@LowPlainsDrifter60]

Everyone & everything was outstanding in 'Lonesome Dove' (1989) 😁🤠

[@Giarcnek]

Al Swearengen from Deadwood.

[@ashlibabbittcroakedit9108]

The one and only TUCO

[@LowPlainsDrifter60]

Tuco Benedicto Pacífico Juan María Ramírez .........................also known as "The Rat" ! 🤠

[@Fwdking]

I'm interested in getting feedback a the movie starring Kevin Costner , Annette Benning , Robert Duval + others , in Open Range. It's not the best movie made, for me, it does stick in the mind for recent approaches to Western movie making , that have credibility.

[@larrywest538]

Great pick…. Excellent cast, dialogue and story…..

[@QBAN2010]

El Guapo in the Three Amigos

[@cdeford]

Richard Boone took over every film he was in. Honourable mentions: Dan Duryea in Winchester 73 and Night Passage. Simon Oakland in Chato's Land. I didn't think that Dean Martin was that bad in Five Card Stud.

[@richardkimble1191]

The movie" Big Jake" is my favorite. Richard Boone is great in this film. He could be a leading star in other films. Have gun will travel is good.

[@famouspeople63]

See my video in Dan in my channel. I often mention him

[@junosaxon4370]

Dan Duryea was great as a villain, he added a touch of humour to the role. One of my favourite actors.

[@terrancecoard388]

Ben Foster in 3:10 To Yuma was an absolutely fantastic bad guy....WOW! I find buy guys are the most interesting roles.

[@famouspeople63]

Yes, they have more chance to act without restriction

[@BillyBob-wq9fl]

Tuco is The Man.. Him and Blondie..

[@glennso47]

The semi truck in Duel!

[@wobblertv8083]

El indio in a few dollars more ....he was fucked right up 😂

[@DH_264]

Yeah that combination of the music from the pocket watches in the fights and the post 'action' cigarillo sends shivers down your spine...

[@ElTio.45-70]

@@DH_264 I'm pretty sure it was a reefer he smoked.

[@surajnarayanpandey6724]

Henry Fonda in once upon time in the West

[@famouspeople63]

See my videos on Villains in westerns and Spaghetti Westerns in my channel

[@SifuJoeBender]

In Taoism we have a saying, " the whole world knows beautiful as beautiful only because of the ugly, the whole world knows good as good ,only because of the bad!",

[@famouspeople63]

Well said

[@jamesquirk4999]

Italian actor Mario Brega who played the menacing big man 👨 who was henchman to Lee Van Cleef and Gian Maria Volonte in Fist Full of Dollars 💸. For Few Dollars 💸 More and Good The Bad and Ugly.

[@galpeleg143]

how the hell u hadnt put Tuco as #1 ???? if there a case where the villain steal the story is Tuco in The Good the Bad and the Ugly

[@DH_264]

Absolutely. The interaction between him and Blondie is fantastic and his gunshop scene was hilarious although pretty inaccurate. He really had a talent to improvise and develop his character...

[@DH_264]

I have to say though that Angel Eyes's killing of his victims fulfilling his contracts was masterful.

[@oscartini8030]

Gene Hackman on Unforgiven playing the character of Little Bill Daggett is a much more deserving character than John Herod in The Quick and the Dead.

[@electronwave4551]

Eli Wallach hijacked the Magnificent Seven because he did more than play the tough guy. He put a lot of effort into acting the script, to emphasize 'his' twisted logic, which he tries to untwist by engaging in conversation with the good guys, but gets frustrated doing so, and becomes even more twisted.

[@patrickcreighton5109]

You have put a hole in me! I don't have belly ache like this since I'm a little boy.

[@tarvisponsdebeaumont794]

You missed the VERY BEST (or worst, depending on the point of view): Cicero Grimes, played by the great Richard Boone in Martin Ritt's HOMBRE. All other baddies look like pussycats next to him, but he has the greatness of being fearful when things go bad for him. Apparently, in real life, nobody ever f...d with Richard Boone, not even criminals in Durango when he was visiting fellow actors working on The Wild Bunch....

[@boesvig2258]

Eli Wallach deserves better than to have you butcher his name like that. Shame on you.

[@johnnyquest3707]

I’m up to Richard Boone and wonder if Burt Lancaster in Vera Cruz makes this list. I think Gary Cooper was intentionally generous and just kicked back letting him steal the movie.

[@dwozniak1]

Alfonso Bedoya in anything he appeared in.

[@c150gpilot]

Great fun!

[@geraldmartin7703]

Stephen Boyd in The Bravados (1958). Hell, add in Lee Van Cleef, Albert Salmi, and Henry Silva as fellow gang members. (The gang includes "Curly Joe" of the Three Stooges who asks Gregory Peck where to find a prostitute and later knifes the sheriff in the back.) @11:09 that's legendary bad men Lee Van Cleef and Strother Martin at the table with Lee Marvin.

[@famouspeople63]

See my videos in LVC in my channel. I have one on him as the best bad guy in westerns