Summary
- Paul Newman, one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, had a remarkable career in Hollywood, earning one Academy Award and nine nominations.
- While primarily known for his dramatic roles, Newman also appeared in several Western films, including "Hombre" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."
- Newman's performance in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" is especially praised, showcasing his onscreen chemistry with Robert Redford and the film's witty and action-packed script.
Paul Newman is one of the most celebrated actors of the 20th century and has a number of appearances in classic Western movies. He is arguably most famous for his star role in Cool Hand Luke and is responsible for his contributions in defining the look of Hollywood's rugged yet charming lead throughout the New Hollywood era of the film industry. Newman earned one Academy Award for his performance in The Color of Money alongside a young Tom Cruise. He was nominated for another eight Academy Awards for various roles between 1958 and 2002, making him one of the most dignified actors in cinematic history.
A handful of Paul Newman's best films belong in the Western genre although he was primarily a dramatic actor. Newman's career really took off after he starred in 1958's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof alongside Elizabeth Taylor. From there he would go on to appear in classic films such as Exodus (1960) and The Hustler (1961). Throughout his illustrious career, Newman would act in more than 50 feature films. His last performance was as Doc Hudson in the acclaimed animated film Cars in 2006. Newman passed away of cancer in 2008, leaving behind a remarkable filmography as well as several achievements in television and theater. As for Westerns, here are all eight of Newman's entires in the genre ranked from worst to best.
8 The Outrage (1964)
Newman starred as Juan Carrasco in The Outrage, a Hollywood adaptation of Akira Kurosawa's 1950 masterpiece Rashoman. Director Martin Ritt essentially made a remake of Kuroswaw's classic, making it difficult to surpass the original and instantly opening the movie up for intense scrutiny. The major difference between The Outrage and Roshoman was that it took place in a Westernized setting but the story stayed relatively true to the source material. Newman is a highlight of the film as the main culprit Carrasco but his role is ultimately dated and culturally insensitive. The Outrage turned out to be a commercial misfire and critics relentlessly tore it apart for being far superior to Roshoman.
7 Pocket Money (1972)
Newman starred as Jim Kane in Pocket Money, a cowboy in Arizona with honest sensibilities but lacking in sharpness and wit, making him financially unstable. Desperate for work, Kane travels to Mexico where he gets involved with shady businessmen, sending him on a hopeless journey with a fellow lowlife Leonard (Lee Marvin) in search of cattle. The film is more or less a hangout film that highlights the simple nature of its protagonists, which doesn't necessarily make for an entertaining spectacle. While there are brief moments of humor and ease within the film, making it unusually meandering, Pocket Money fails to offer the most crucial aspect of any film: a well-constructed plot.
6 The Left Handed Gun (1958)
The Left Handed Gun is one of Newman's earliest films and his first collaboration with influential Bonnie and Clyde director Arthur Penn. Newman plays the historic outlaw Billy the Kid in the film which is largely considered one of his most eccentric interpretations of a character. The lead part was originally meant for James Dean, who was Penn's first choice. With Newman front and center, he is arguably one of the most famous actors to have ever played the part but still somehow appears lost and uncertain in his overall performance. The Left Handed Gun was also Penn's directorial debut, so perhaps if this film had been made five years later, it would have been delivered with greater conviction.
5 Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976)
Newman starred as William F. Cody in Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson. Cody, also known as the real-life Buffalo Bill, is a businessman who plans to put on his own traveling amusement show in the Wild West. The revisionist history film directed by Robert Altman is largely meant as a satire of both the Old West and the entertainment industry at the time, portraying the historical elements of the era through the theme of deception through promotion. Newman's performance as the buffoonish Buffalo Bill drives the point of the satire home, however, the film seems to carry the same message over and over again, making it an idiosyncratic but not repeatable watch.
4 The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972)
Newman starred in The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean as the titular character, a former outlaw who appoints himself the judge for a mostly desolate area of the Wild West. Newman's performance of Judge Roy Bean was loosely based on the real-life person but is mostly enhanced for the sake of the film. Famous Western director John Huston was at the helm of this film, allowing Newman to really sink his teeth into the character with creative freedom. Newman represented a number of historical Western outlaws throughout his career, and his role as Roy Bean is one of his strongest in that category.
3 Hud (1963)
Another Ritt and Newman combination, Hud tells the story of a morally conflicted Hud Bannon who has turned to alcoholism after killing his brother in a car accident. Newman plays the cursed and alienated Hud protagonist who feels as though he soils everything he touches. Newman's efforts as the tortured and witty antihero make for one of his most complex and modern characters of his career in Western movies. Every fan of Newman's more intricate and self-reflexive performances would do well to check out Hud.
2 Hombre (1967)
Newman starred as John Russell in Hombre, who was raised by Indigenous Peoples in Arizona. John continues to live on the Apache reservation well into adulthood and becomes their defender against a group of dangerous bandits in the film. Hombre is one of the best classic Westerns Newman stars in and allowed for the redemption of director Martin Ritt after The Outrage. The year 1967 would turn out to be one of the most significant of Newman's career, with Cool Hand Luke also being released at the time. Hombre's exceptional dialogue and great supporting cast make this Newman-led Western a clear winner.
1 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Often heralded as one of the greatest Westerns ever made, Newman and costar Robert Redford deliver some of the best performances and onscreen chemistry of their careers. Butch Cassidy (Newman) and the Sundance Kid (Redford) are the unlucky leaders of a group of outlaws that are the last of a dying breed with the impending modernization of the Wild West. The Wyoming robbers encounter a series of misadventures through a hilarious and action-packed script full of witty dialogue. It is certainly one of Newman's best performances and is enhanced by the thoughtful and in-depth filmmaking of director George Roy Hill, who also directed Redford and Paul Newman in The Sting.