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For the last 39 years I’ve lived with old westerns playing in the background of my life. The husband loves them and they’ve been his go to when he has nothing specific in mind to watch on tv for the almost 4 decades we’ve been together.
He loves old western movies with John Wayne and Gary Cooper and Henry Fonda.
He loves old western television series like The Rifleman and Tales of Wells Fargo and the Virginian.
Me? I hate them all. Always have and thought I always would.
Until I started watching Yellowstone, which I really don’t consider a western, and liked it so much I had to subscribe to Paramount Plus so I could watch 1883… which most definitely is a western.
.
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Yup. An honest to God western complete with cowboys, a wagon train, bandits, buffalo, Indians and some breathtaking views of what the Great Plains once was.
I loved it all.
The acting was surprisingly good and Sam Elliot made me cry. Who woulda thunk it! This show is a love story… to the west and a way of life long gone. It has a gravitas that grabbed me and didn’t let go.
I binged, and when it ended? I wished for another 30 episodes.
Me. Wanting more of a western. Somewhere… pigs are flying.
Starring Tim McGraw and an almost unrecognizable Faith Hill…
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With cameos by Tom Hanks, Billy Bob Thornton and Graham Greene… it’s newcomer Isabel May who narrates it’s heart.
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Her voice can be haunting, and with the right swell of music laid on top of glorious cinematography?
Trust me, it’s a winner.
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Now, you need to watch 1923 – the story past the tragedies that happen in 1883. Harrison Ford plays Tim McGraw’s brother, and Helen Mirren is his wife. AMAZING!
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I’m three episodes in!
👍
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Video not available. But that’s okay. I cannot afford streaming services.
But speaking of old westerns, and Henry Fonda, have you ever watched “A Big Hand for a Little Lady”? I think that one would be right up your alley. And the acting was superb, at least in my memory!
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I don’t like the old westerns. Too hokey for me.
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This is only a Western in that the story takes place in a bar in a town in the Old West. Really it could be anywhere, anytime. No horses, no gunfights, just a little old poker game. But what a poker game!
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I love westerns – have since I was a little kid – tv was chock-a-block with them. Love me my cowboys!
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You and my husband. He’s never met one he didn’t like… or watch a dozen times.
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I wanted to be a cowboy when I was little – funny story about it – when I was about 4 – it’s in my blog archives – It’s called “The story of me, the carnival and the cowboy gun and holster”
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Ahhh, my trial to Paramount ended yesterday so I won’t be seeing these.
I recall a high school teacher pointing out a stat about Westerns becoming more popular just before wars (cause they’re basically about good vs bad). A lot of scifi is just futuristic westerns, so I’m always paranoid when they all get popular!
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I hope your teacher is wrong. I’ll gladly give up westerns for world peace…
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I think it’s probably about nationalism increasing, which is reflected in movies. When it gets out of control, wars happen.
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I have not taken the plunge into the Yellowstone “universe” but certainly have heard many, many good things about these shows…and now here as well!
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Yellowstone is modern day and though it takes place out west on a ranch I don’t consider it a western, just a drama. But this one is, and very worth watching.
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You’re the second person this week to recommend that show. I may have to give it a go.
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The first episode in the series didn’t grab me, but I’m very glad I stayed with it.
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Oh those Dutton’s, they amaze, bewilder, amuse and surprise me. I have not yet started 1923, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m not adverse to westerns in general, just the old westerns.
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I love Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford is always fun to watch, But 1923 doesn’t have the gravitas 1883 did, at least not yet.. I’m 3 episodes in.
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Westerns are simple. You have a bud guy. You have a good guy. Good guy dispatches of the bad guy. Good guy rides away the hero. Simple. THAT is why your husband likes them.
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I think it’s nostalgic for him. His father watched them when he was growing up…
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and Jack Reacher is the perfect person to play the good guy riding away or hitchin.
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Yes! I like Yellowstone, but 1883 is the best, I think. We wanted more, too! Just finished 1923 and while good, the storytelling in 1883 is better. Glad you’re enjoying all!
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I’m usually a little late to trending shows but 1883 was fabulous!
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I always dug old Gene Autry flicks
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Oddly enough that’s one my husband doesn’t usually watch.
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Well they are musical westerns lol
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Speaking of a show which “I don’t really consider a western,” I highly recommend a 1962 film called RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring Randolph Scott and Joel McCrea. Film critic Leonard Maltin calls it a “Literate, magnificent Western” — I call it the best un-western Western ever.
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Ugh.
I dislike Randolph Scott…
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Lemme guess… your husband hated it. 🤣
I love Yellowstone, too. (Husband hates it. He says it’s just a more violent version of Dallas, but based in Montana.🙄) Waiting for 1883 to come out one one of the streaming channels we already have. I may be waiting a while . . . ☹️
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My husband won’t watch Yellowstone. When it comes to westerns he hates all the new ones like I hate all the old ones. I know he’d like 1883 because it feels like an old one… but nope. He’s not interested.
🥴
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I knew it!
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Hmm. I might have to watch this just for Isabel May.
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I really was surprised how much I liked it. Not the first episode, but stick with it.
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My SIL was just raving about it, too.
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Then I think it’s time for you to saddle up.
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