By the late 1980s, the Western film genre, once hugely popular in the 60s and 70s, had largely faded. While films like Young Guns and Pale Rider offered some bright spots, most new Westerns didn’t resonate with audiences, leading many to believe the genre was finished. It essentially was, until a 1989 TV miniseries revived interest and proved Westerns could still draw viewers. Now, you can watch this acclaimed series for free on Tubi.
Let’s talk about Lonesome Dove, the popular 1989 CBS miniseries based on Larry McMurtry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Few people predicted the Western would be a hit, but it became a massive television event, drawing around 26 million viewers. The show received an incredible 18 Emmy nominations and won seven awards. It’s no exaggeration to say Lonesome Dove breathed new life into the Western genre, paving the way for popular 90s films like Unforgiven and Tombstone.
With a stellar cast including Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Danny Glover, Diane Lane, Anjelica Huston, and Chris Cooper, Lonesome Dove stood out from other TV Westerns of its time by offering a truly cinematic experience. While most Westerns on television felt low-budget and old-fashioned, Lonesome Dove delivered high-quality storytelling and stunning visuals, creating a viewing experience comparable to an epic, award-winning film.
If you watched Lonesome Dove when it first aired almost 40 years ago, you probably remember how powerful and moving the four-part story was. If you missed it, here’s a quick summary to encourage you to give it a watch.
Lonesome Dove tells the story of Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call, two former Texas Rangers who decide to embark on a risky cattle drive from Texas to Montana. Leaving behind their peaceful lives, they face tough challenges like bad weather, bandits, and personal struggles as they journey through the changing landscape of the Old West. The drive pushes their friendship to its limits, forces them to deal with their pasts, and becomes a deeply emotional and character-focused adventure.
‘Lonesome Dove’ Is a Certified Fresh Classic
CBS
With a remarkable 98% score from critics and a 94% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Lonesome Dove continues to be widely loved. Many consider it outstanding and unforgettable – and for good reason. It’s truly one of the greatest TV Westerns ever made, as critic Debi Enker noted in their review:
This miniseries is a beautifully true adaptation of Larry McMurtry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, bringing a welcome touch of both gentle sadness and dry wit to the Western genre. It also features exceptionally strong performances from the entire cast.
Although there were four follow-up TV movies, none of them were as good as the original miniseries. If you haven’t seen this fantastic Western yet, we highly recommend watching Lonesome Dove – it’s currently available for free on Tubi.
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2025-12-08 18:38