10 Western Movies with More Legendary Quotes Than Tombstone

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1993 saw George P. Cosmatos steer the wheel of the legendary, big-name action film “Tombstone.” This movie revolves around the lives of Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, and their trusted companion, Doc Holliday. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the Earp brothers’ conflict with the Cowboy gang in Arizona, attracting a fresh wave of enthusiasts to the Western genre. One of its most significant triumphs lies in its script, which has remained iconic over the years as one of the most memorable and frequently-quoted in the annals of Western cinema history.

Although Western movies may no longer be as influential as they were in the past, the genre remains home to some of the most remarkable screenplays ever created. Ranging from contemporary blockbusters to timeless 1960s masterpieces, the dialogue of legends like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne continues to shape our perception of the Old West. Not every film manages to captivate viewers, but fans of Westerns can still draw upon a wealth of memorable one-liners and speeches as references.

Directed by Antonia Bird

The film “Ravenous” tells the story of Captain Boyd, who is assigned to Fort Spencer in the Sierra-Nevadas following accusations of cowardice. At this remote outpost, Boyd and a small group of soldiers encounter a man who claims to have barely escaped the grasp of a cruel colonel, Ives, known for his cannibalistic tendencies. As they embark on a rescue mission to save other potential victims, Captain Boyd finds himself isolated as he confronts the threat posed by Ives, who seeks to recruit others into his horrifying lifestyle of cannibalism.

In the film titled “Ravenous“, it’s the instances of dark humor that make for the most memorable dialogue. For example, Ives says “if you die first, I am definitely going to eat you,” and there’s also the exclamation “he was licking me!” Even Robert Carlyle’s delivery of the word “run” is something fans often mimic, making him one of the most entertaining villains in the genre. The line “breakfast, lunch and reinforcements” stands out as the antagonist’s campiest quote, and it’s also one of the most memorable. Although it may not be as well-known as some other movies, “Ravenous” is a film that’s difficult to forget.

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

The movie Django Unchained starts with a German bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz freeing Django from bondage, enlisting him in their joint pursuit of a bandit group consisting of three brothers. As it turns out, Django has a spouse who is being held captive by a cruel plantation owner named Calvin Candie. With this knowledge, Dr. Schultz decides to assist Django in her rescue mission. The duo then embarks on a journey towards the Candyland estate, planning their strategy — but ultimately find themselves trapped once more by the malevolent Calvin Candie.

In typical Quentin Tarantino style, Django Unchained brims with unforgettable dialogue and catchphrases, ranging from “I appreciate how you meet your end, boy” to “I see two guns.” However, it’s the exchanges between antagonists Calvin Candie and Stephen that leave the deepest impression, as their banter recalls a humorous sitcom duo. To top it off, the side-splitting KKK scene offers quotable lines such as “no one remembered to bring an extra bag!” for audiences to chuckle about.

Directed by Christopher Cain

The story commences with William H. Bonnell, also known as Billy the Kid, being adopted by a fair yet firm rancher named John Tunstall. He guides a band of young men under his wing. When Tunstall is murdered by rival rancher Murphy, Billy and his fellow recruits are appointed as law enforcers, forming their vigilante group, known as the “Regulators.” They seek vengeance for Tunstall’s death. However, their actions lead to excessive violence, prompting the authorities to attempt reining them in. This situation eventually escalates into the well-known Lincoln County War.

As a die-hard fan, even if the lines in “Young Guns” weren’t always captivating, the battle cry of “Regulators! Saddle up!” alone was enough to etch it into my memory forever. Add to that classic one-liners like “reap it, Murphy, you son of a bitch“, “get ready for Hell“, and “buenos días, shitheads“, and the movie becomes an iconic portrayal of ’80s youth rebellion.

Directed by John Ford

The Searchers

In essence, this narrative follows Ethan Edwards, a man who fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. Following the gruesome attack on his brother’s family, he embarks on a relentless journey to find and save his nieces from the Comanche. As time passes, the protagonist seems to be the last one standing in his pursuit, adding a melancholic tone to the quest. The story takes a heart-wrenching turn when he unearths the remains of one of the girls. Eventually, as the climax approaches, Edwards rallies a group to confront the tribe and rescue his sole remaining relative, Debbie.

The phrase ‘that’ll be the day,’ which originated from the movie, has become an iconic part of its star’s career, reputation, and remembrance. Lines such as ‘there’s no more time for praying!’ and ‘let’s go home, Debbie’ also contributed to the film’s lasting status as a timeless classic within its genre. In the end, the movie’s one-liner ‘That’ll be the day’ might be among the most frequently quoted lines in 20th-century cinema.

Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen

The story True Grit commences when a fourteen-year-old girl named Mattie Ross shows up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, asking for help from a Marshal to track down her father’s murderer, Tom Chaney. She recruits a veteran lawman known as Rooster Cogburn, who has a questionable reputation for quick triggers, and a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf also joins them. They embark on a journey into Indian territory to capture the killer and bring him to trial. The narrative mainly explores their relationships, especially the tension between Rooster and LaBoeuf.

According to Charles Portis’ renowned novel, True Grit, some of the most memorable quotes originate from Rooster Cogburn, such as “fill your hands, you son of a bitch!“, which encapsulates his gruff and forceful character as a seasoned law enforcer. Quotes like “if they wanted a respectable burial, they should have died during the summer” and “if it’s not loaded and cocked, it doesn’t shoot” solidify his status as one of the genre’s most formidable lawmen.

Directed by Sergio Leone

1964 saw Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood etching themselves into popular culture with the release of “A Fistful of Dollars“. In this tale, I found myself as the enigmatic Man With No Name, drifting into the tumultuous town of San Miguel. There, powerful families waged war for dominance. Spotting a chance to amass wealth, I skillfully manipulated both factions, only to be mercilessly attacked by one side. In retaliation, I orchestrated a climactic showdown to exact my vengeance.

The memorable dialogue from “A Fistful of Dollars” begins instantly, with the Stranger instructing the undertaker to prepare three coffins. Lines such as Eastwood demanding gunmen to apologize to his mule and comments like “a man values peace when he has money in his pocket” contributed significantly to Eastwood’s reputation as one of the most effortlessly cool characters on television.

Directed by Sergio Leone

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – A Tale of Confederate Gold

This western film revolves around a mysterious stranger, known only as the Man With No Name, who sets off on a mission to unearth a hidden cache of Confederate gold. Along his journey, he encounters his former partner, Tuco, and faces a ruthless mercenary named Angel Eyes.

Together with Tuco, the bounty hunter and outlaw navigate through the tumultuous landscape of the American Civil War in their quest for the treasure. Facing off against rival gunfighters and traversing war-torn territories, they inch closer to the loot as each man seeks personal gain at every opportunity.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” features some of the most memorable dialogue from any Sergio Leone film. This includes the recurring “there are two types of people” lines as well as “every gun has its unique sound.” One of the most famous lines from the movie is spoken by Tuco when he shoots an opponent, saying something along the lines of “when you need to act, act quickly; don’t waste time talking.

Directed by Mel Brooks

In simpler terms, the movie “Blazing Saddles” revolves around Bart, a black man who becomes the sheriff of the tiny town of Rock Ridge due to corrupt politics. Upon his arrival, he encounters severe racial prejudice from the townsfolk, while also dealing with a land-grabbing plot. Seeking companionship, he turns to a notorious gunslinger named the Waco Kid, who’s currently in a drunk tank. Together, they protect the citizens of Rock Ridge from an onslaught of hired gunmen.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the enduring appeal of “Blazing Saddles,” a movie that pushes boundaries with its humor. The laugh-out-loud moments might be offensive to some, but that’s what makes it so special and has solidified its place as one of the greatest offensive comedies ever made.

From Gene Wilder’s iconic line, “If you shoot him, you’ll just make him mad,” to Cleavon Little’s clever taunt towards the KKK, “Hey, where are the white women at?”, the dialogue is sharp and witty. Even the supporting characters contribute their fair share of memorable lines, such as the famous, “Mongo is only a pawn in the game of life.

Directed by Clint Eastwood

The movie “Unforgiven” centers around a former gunfighter named Will Munny, who steps back into his violent past when he teams up with a rising bounty hunter to seek vengeance for an assaulted prostitute. Accompanied by his old buddy Ned Logan, Munny finds himself at odds with the town sheriff, Little Bill Daggett. After the lawman launches an attack on them, Munny is pushed to take revenge, leading to a final confrontation between Daggett, his posse, and Munny.

In addition to his take on the Western genre, where he critically examined its violent undertones, and lines such as “it’s not about deserve” and “we’re all gonna get what’s coming to us, kid” embody the narrative’s tone and message. Almost every scene featuring Munny yields a memorable quote, while Gene Hackman’s character, Daggett, is no exception in this regard.

Directed by Clint Eastwood

The movie “The Outlaw Josey Wales” narrates the tale of a Southern farmer named Josey, who seeks refuge with the Confederacy after his family is slaughtered by Union militia, known as the Redlegs. Following the massacre of his unit after they surrendered, Josey is the sole survivor, embarking on a trek to Mexico for safety. Pursued relentlessly by the Redlegs and bounty hunters, an ever-increasing group of allies accompanies him on his journey, culminating in a memorable final confrontation. Throughout the story, Josey delivers some of the most iconic, genre-shaping lines in cinema history.

The character Wales delivers profound and witty lines, infused with a touch of Western philosophy. In contrast to Eastwood’s most famous character from three films, The Man With No Name, Wales manages to pack more iconic quotes into one movie than any other work. Even excluding Eastwood himself, characters like Ten Bears contribute significantly to the film’s outstanding dialogue, such as “it’s unfortunate that governments are run by two-faced individuals.” After repeated viewings, the movie seems tailor-made to become the most quotable Western ever produced.

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2025-05-03 21:37