For me, it's behind Clint's "Outlaw Josey Wales", and the Sergio Leone westerns. Great script and cast, but not in my top tier for westerns. I saw it in the theater when it was released, and have stuck with that opinion since. I'm definitely in the minority.

I agree with your take on it: it's brilliant and one-of-a-kind. I like films where ALL the characters are bad. In real life, a LOT of drama occurs in situations where everyone is at least mostly bad, lol. Another EXCELLENT film where everyone is bad is The Way of the Gun (2000). Highly recommended, and I think it would make a great reaction video.

Such a heartbreaking film! I just love anything with Gene Hackman. Congrats on your 50th westernaversary!🎉🎉 🤠🤠

Definitely top 5.

I love Unforgiven. Other westerns I love are Dead Man (!!!!), The Proposition, and The Dollar Trilogy, of course. So off-westerns that challenge the genre whilst being a weird barrel of fun are my bag! The original Django and The Great Silence are highlights!

I've heard such great things about "The Wild Bunch". Still waiting for it to become available on a streaming service I have access to. Eagerly waiting to watch that one. Great points regarding the character of of William Munny. It's what he knows. He may prefer the life he had with with his wife and kids but his old ways fit like a hand in a glove.

I have to disagree with your assessment of his actions. ....I don't see him joining in this contract killing for his desire for booze and revenge. ..For one what revenge ? He has no relationship with the girl who was cut as he could've took to drinking instantly after his wife passed 3 years earlier than the offer from the kid gunslinger. ...Also he could've took to drinking the first few times he was offered once he was on the trip to the town where the money was offered....If you remember his daughter says she suspects most of their livestock hogs had come down with an illness so his return to his former occupation was merely for the money ....This is my opinion anyway....Also throughout the trip he makes it clear he has no intention of returning to that way of life after the job they're on is done ....Now revenge DOES come into play AFTER his friend Ned is killed by the town Sheriff.

@@user-wm2hv2mh9b My comment concerns his transformation after Ned is slaughtered. I mention "triggered by" to make that distinction. Before that he seems to be in it for the $$ and his commitment isn't whole hearted, until he re-enters the dark side, once triggered by Ned's slaughter and a desire for revenge. I don't find the characterization convincing. He apparently was held in check by his wife, who made him a Bible thumper and teetotaler. I just don't think the film works overall. Apparently after his wife died, he had no idea how to do anything on a farm. But before her death he was a contented Christian and hard working farmer. Something needed to be shown, during the period of his family life, to make his transformation after the death of his wife convincing. I think the similar characterization of Walt in Gran Torino was much better drawn. There an inwardly wounded Walt, beset by guilt for his actions in the Korean War, redeems himself by self sacrifice for others. Walt was held together by his wife, but the guilt was still eating at him, until he could release it after her death by helping the Hmong. Munny, on the other hand, does not have any of that intervening period of life with his wife filled in at all. He goes from cold blooded killer, to self deluded Christian farmer, back to stone cold killer, then on to successful dry goods merchant in San Francisco. However, there are an abundance of standalone scenes in Unforgiven that are excellent.

​​​@@snootybaronetyou apparently watched a different movie, or in the absence of onscreen depiction assume too much. Quoting a few bible verses, doesn't make you a "bible thumper"...or a "Christian". It makes you a guy who knows a few bible verses, which William Munny strikes me as. What makes you think he had "no idea" what to do on a farm? He was LITERALLY doing what you do on a farm with sick livestock, when the "kid" rode up...seperating the sick hogs, from the healthy ones. Homesteading was a tough life. I suspect it was just as tough when his wife was alive. The difference being...he had help. He was STILL a "hardworking" farmer, as was clearly depicted. A hardworking farmer, with two small children, and in need of money. YOU say he transformed after the death of this wife. I suggest he was the same "hardworking farmer" after her death, that he was when she was alive, and that the only transformation took place in your mind. I would also suggest that like the character in Gran Torino, William Munny was also beset by guilt. Not by what he had done in a war. But by ALL that he had done BEFORE meeting his late wife. When he was the "meanest son-of-bitch alive". She died when she was 29 yrs. old. William Munny was obviously considerably older, judging from the age of the children. He had lived a lot of life, and obviously did a lot of drinking, and killing before settling down with her. He wasn't looking so much for redemption...he knew who he was. He obviously struggled with the question posed by the film, in the title...are we ever truly forgiven for the bad things we do? As for his "desire for booze, and revenge". As you stated, after Ned was brutally killed he was "triggered". His repeated refusal to drink alcohol, shows no such "desire" existed. He simply reverted back to the familiar, once he was triggered. Not unlike any other recovered alcoholic, or addict. Was he 'self-delusional' in thinking he truly had changed...perhaps. But the fact that it was reported by OTHERS, that he packed the kids up, and started a successful dry goods business in San Francisco, suggests he wasn't 'self-delusional' at all. No person is JUST one thing. We all have different sides to us. William Munny WAS a "cold-blooded killer", AND a devoted husband, and father...depending on what the situation called for.

I think Sam Peckinpah would have loved this movie.

I wasn't sure anyone would have heard of it when I mentioned "The Field" 😄. Beautiful spot, Connemara. I haven't seen "The Sporting Life". Might be another for the channel.

Sporting Life is a classic

Yeah, I head read somewhere that it was almost like an anti-western but I think it's more a case of looking at the old west from a different angle/set of goggles. I appreciate those classic form of Westerns but I also appreciate a Western of this tone and format. It's such a shame that Wayne and Eastwood didn't make that Western the latter had in the works. The two most iconic figures in the genre.

Delighted Eastwood got the rights to the script and had the patience to wait until he felt he was the right age. Danny Boyle did something similar, waiting nearly 20 years before making a sequel to Trainspotting as the characters are supposed to be significantly older rather than just ageing the characters up. "Blade Runner" I have seen but "12 Monkeys" I'll have to keep in mind for a future reaction.

@@IrishGuyReacts Have you seen “Taxi Driver” Another essential classic! Be interesting to see if you watch that, if you could pick up on the elements that would inspire Peoples to write Unforgiven. Imagine the writer as a young screenwriter struggling in Hollywood in the 70s. He got a big check from Eastwood for his western script, but then no one probably believed him about selling the script to Eastwood for years afterwards LOL. “The Wild Bunch” next please. Have you tried a VPN to access streaming from other territories?

I have seen "Taxi Driver". Very good movie. Great breakdown of a character and loneliness. Haha it must have been all the more sweet when it became hot news that his script was being adapted by Eastwood in the early 90's. "The Wild Bunch" is currently embroiled in a battle on my poll, but it looks like "Shane" has a healthy lead.

Yes that whipping scene was brutal in High Plains Drifter. Probably the most unique Eastwood Western I've seen, in regards to the premise.

It's fantastic how the film focuses so much on the aftermath of these killings. What a person goes through when they've been shot and also the person who pulled the trigger. It's very much drawn in reality. As much as I've enjoyed a lot of Westerns, you often don't bat an eyelid when the hero kills someone. It's just another way in which "Unforgiven" is so unique.

Indeed, he was not a hero. I just felt in that final scene, where he called out Munny for shooting an unarmed man, that he took on that typical John Wayne like role. It was a fleeting moment but it worked so well.

None of the characters were good people in this which was the point. In one sense the hackman character was the way he was because he knew the type of evil men who were out there he had to deal with & any type of leniency as a sheriff would be portrayed as weakness.

The local sheriff/marshal was often little different from the criminals he faced off with. Many were, in fact, outlaws in other territories, former gumman, or criminals between jobs. Hackman's character likely was one of these; he knew English Bob from the old days, remember, and he must not have been a lawman then, because he didn't arrest Bob for the murder he describes. As to his hatred of "assassins" and his words about Eastwood shooting an unarmed man, he beat an unarmed prisoner to death. His "morals" are just hypocrisy. He is no different than any of the others, perhaps worse, as he seems to enjoy what he does.

Would you believe this was actually my first time watching a Gene Hackman movie. What a way to start. Terrific performance. "The French Connection" is another on my list. Loved Eastwood's portrayal too. In comparison to the more "Modern" Westerns I've seen, I enjoyed "Tombstone" quite a bit and "Silverado" was decent, but "Unforgiven" was on a whole other level for me.

​@@IrishGuyReacts I like Tombstone too! But when it came out it didn't make that much of a splash. And I liked Silverado, too, and it was billed as "the return of the western" when it was released, but that didn't take either. "Unforgiven" really felt like a reset on the entire genre and restored a sort of "respectability" to it again, lol. As you said, it's on a whole other level, it felt like an instant classic. As far as Hackman, wow, you are in for a treat!!! Bonnie And Clyde (1967), Coppolla's "The Conversation" (1974), and Wes Anderson's "The Royal Tenenbaums" (2001) are my favorite performances of his, but he has MANY great performances, in many, many great movies, iconic, blah blah blah. I mean, he's great as Lex Luther in the original "Superman"! He's great in "The Posideon Adventure"! He just always elevates whatever movie he's in, and in the case of "Superman" (and "Unforgiven") it was total stunt casting! He's one of what I call "The Magnificent Six": Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman and Robert Duvall. And I almost want to put Michael Caine in there, but we'll leave it American! These dudes were all game changer actors in the 60s-90s (and beyond), each other's greatest competitions, with a string of "iconic", groundbreaking performances....and interchangeably referred to as "the best" during those years (and probably still are). Hackman in "The Conversation", that's often cited as his greatest performance and I know he rates it pretty high himself. Coppolla directed that THE SAME YEAR as "The Godfather Part 2", can you believe it? Anyways, great reaction, and looking forward to the Buster....which you just posted! Woo-hoo!!! See you over there!!!!

Yeah, I can see that. He also had no real remorse for the woman who's face was cut up.

Haven't see that one yet to comment on that viewpoint. But will be a future watch. Thanks for checking out the video.

Completely agree. The Proposition is an underrated classic, also in my top ten movies of all time.

Very good list. "For A Few Dollars More" was my number 1, but "Unforgiven" may have just eclipsed it. "Outlaw Josey Wales" and "The Proposition" will both be watched. 👍

The Proposition is a great film, and yeah although he is not in much of it John Hurt steals every scene he is in.

@@IrishGuyReacts Oh. Thank you. You know I'll be there.

I LOVE the fact about being the same boots he wore on "Rawhide". A tv show I need to start watching too.

I'll more than likely be watching "Shane" at the end of the month. Appreciate the suggestions.

Worthy of all three. Such a great movie.

It may have become my number 1 of the 50 Westerns I've seen to date. Absolutely brilliant film.

@@IrishGuyReacts Have you seen Shane (1953) yet? That's another classic Western.

@@ayingtorres5938 Not yet but I intend to watch it for sure.

Nice suggestions. "Rango" and "Django Unchained" were on the watchlist but I'll have to look into the other ones. Thank you kindly.

Thanks for the recommendation. It's on my Eastwood watchlist.

I was always a sega mega drive (sega genesis) guy growing up

Exactly how I see it. We root for Eastwood's character because he is the one we are following but another version of this film could see us rooting for Bill. It's the same with "The Sopranos" or "Game Of Thrones". We are often siding with characters who have done terrible things in their past.

I have some of the more recent ones on my list too. "Tombstone" was a fun movie. Michael Biehn was great in it.

I noticed that when I went back to edit my reaction. A subtle but significant moment.

Yeah, it's dripped a lot more in realism. Makes it more intense too in a lot of ways.

I haven't seen "John Wick" yet but even more intrigued to watch it now after reading your comment.

Indeed a really powerful moment in the narrative. Symbolic really.

Fully intend to watch it later this year. With only two Eastwood Westerns remaining I don't want to rush into watching them just yet.

It's definitely on my watchlist although I had planned to watch the "Lonesome Dove" miniseries next.

I liked it. Very Leone-like.

@@IrishGuyReacts Lonesome Dove. I love that!

Thanks so much. Really appreciate it. Haha yeah we have a very distinct way of saying "Film". More like "Fill-Um". Yeah I've watched OSW Review many times over the years. Love there stuff on the old WWF days.

Hey thanks for the kind feedback. Glad you enjoyed it. "The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford" is on the watchlist 👍 Here's my reaction to "Pale Rider" if you'd like to check it out. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n7ZxgLxq38jQdYk.htmlsi=qMSnFS8XhwJMnpNl

Was curious, would "Country For Old Men" fall into my Westerns Wednesdays series or should I watch it on the Friday (All other genres) ?

@@IrishGuyReacts lol... that's a good question! If you'd like to analyze it as a deconstruction of the classic Western, it fits Wednesdays.... or if you'd like to watch it as 'just' a kick-ass contemporary film with an iconic and terrifying bad guy, Fridays work fine too. ( that's Big help). I personally would do it on Wednesday, because I think it would be fun to view it via the lens of an 'art house-contemporary Western' (I think I just made up that genre).

I will be watching "Jeremiah Johnson". Probably in the Winter schedule.

Definitely worth checking out if you enjoy John Hurt.

Very powerful performance from him.

1970's I believe. Yes, It's on the Western watchlist. Doesn't Bob Dylan compose the soundtrack, or am I mistaken?

@@IrishGuyReacts I don’t know if Dylan had a hand in selecting music, but I know Leonard Cohen is all over the soundtrack.

It was "THE MOMENT"

No problem and you were definitely right. The similarity between The Shootist and Unforgiven in regard to ageing and that one last hurrah helps to make both films very powerful. Indeed, failing to keep one's composure will always increase their chances of not making it out on top in a gunfight. The realism really hit home in this one. To use another metaphor, it's like a penalty shootout in soccer. If you don't keep that composure, good chance you're going to balloon the ball over the bar of the goals or blaze it wide. Delighted you enjoyed the reaction and thanks for the kind words 👍 I'll be sure to send some rain you're way, just send some of that hot, dry weather my way 😉

@@IrishGuyReacts of course man! This channel is great you notice parts of the movie i miss and you're hilarious! yes! And they really show the difference in the actors take on the west as well! Waynes was more hopeful while Eastwoods just like the westerns they made. That is a really good metaphor with the one on one aspect. If you want another movie similar in how realistic it is try Appaloosa with Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen . About to traveling gunmen/lawmen. That tame and old west town. Stacked cast as has one of my favorite shootouts were "eveyone knew how to shoot." So it goes a little different then the standard movie shootout.

Yeah, it's that ambiguity and the fact the protagonists can easily be seen as the villains that makes it such a great and different watch from the other Westerns

Both are on the watchlist and will definitely be reacting to both in the future.👍

@IrishGuyReacts Cool I just discovered your channel.

So nice to see people in the comments have seen "The Field". I really wasn't sure how known it was outside of Ireland. Interesting, I'll have to seek out those two French movies you mentioned.

Exactly. Love the sentiments. It's what makes this such a fantastic Western and film in general. Well worthy of the Oscar wins.

Watched it on youtube. That's how bright it was presented. Glad you enjoyed the review.

Never heard of that one before but I'm always up for watching period movies.

Hey, thanks very much. Glad you like the concept. I haven't seen "The Quick And The Dead" yet but it is on my Western watchlist.

Thanks for the suggestion. "McCabe & Mrs Miller" is on my watchlist. Not sure when I'll get to it yet but it will definitely be a future watch.

Couldn't agree more with you. Amazing film full stop.

I have indeed. I had the ending spoiled for me but I still intend to watch it for the channel.

I'm from Tipperary. Those are some flat out Irish Rebel songs you grew up on

Thank you very much for the kind words. It's one of those movies that makes think. Great way of summing up the film too. Probably the most layered Western I've seen so far.

The reality of death and the authentic way of dealing with the aftermath brings immense depth to the narrative. I was convinced he was going to be killed in that final shootout. I guess it added to the tension given the realism that preceded it, as you felt no one was safe. "Open Range" is on the list to watch as is "Shane". Thanks for the suggestions and the very informed comment.

Indeed! Absolute class!

The first cowboy's is death is probably the most difficult scene to watch. It's agonising. And yes, they brilliantly blur the lines of the "good guys" and the "bad guys". The fact it has me questioning who I was rooting for is a testament to the impact of the narrative.

Special movie that is great to analyse after viewing it.

One of my all time favourite Horror films.

On the schedule for December 👍

That was part of the genius of the film for me. So well constructed.

Thank you kindly for the suggestion. Much appreciated.

There were some moments I had to edit out unfortunately to get it past copyright.

You're comment just further illustrates my point of this film having so many layers and no character is clear black or white. One could analyse this film for days as there is so much to the narrative. Haha I never noticed that my biceps flexed on that moment.

@@IrishGuyReacts : You got some guns haha, and yes the film is just deep overall and yet simple. Can't wait to see more reactions from you to any future Clint movies! Peace

​@@paulpolpiboon9535I'll be doing plenty more Eastwood movies. "Pale Rider" should be up in December.

@@IrishGuyReacts : Excellent choice! My favorite of Clints Westerns

Not yet. but I will be. I had always intended to watch the original first.

Great moment!

Haha, perhaps. Still a lot of in the genre I need to explore though. "The Wild Bunch", "The Outlaw Josey Wales" "Stagecoach" to name but a few.

Not a sum of money to be sneezed at.

That was probably more about getting around KZfaq than any balancing issues. It seems that KZfaq makes it especially hard for smaller creators to post any cooyrighted material for reactions. Some have to mirror the image, add water marks, lower volume, shrink the screen, et cetera to get by, whereas large channels can show the film practically unadulterated.

You can definitely view it as Bill being the bad guy. I think my final view was that netiher of them were "good guys". Thanks for the tip about the volume. I'll keep that in mind. Sometimes awkward with copyright, I had to mute a few clips to avoid it being blocked. Thanks for checking out the video.

@@RexFuturi Its a real struggle sometimes. I don't even mind the copyright claim so much. It's just when they outright block it after spending hours editing it together.

Definitely had it's own unique tone compared to the other Westerns of his I've watched.

Many upload attempts were made with this unreversed.

A lot of unnecessary comments and relating to other movies etc. This movie is singular for its realistic characters and script.Not your typical shootem up!

I had extreme difficulty getting this past copyright. About 5 upload attempts. Flipping the screen was a move that seemed to help get it past copyright.

A movie worthy of such awards.