SerpApi.Org
John Wayne and Clint Eastwood might take the cake for the most well-known Western actors of all time, but a number of others helped move the genre forward during its early introduction into cinema.
Among them is Randolph Scott, who starred in more than 60 Westerns over the course of his career from 1928-62. Scott used his experience in horseback riding and use of firearms from combat during World War I in his new career where he became a Western legend.
His final film came in 1962 and it went on to become of the best Westerns of all time as Ride the High County introduced young director Sam Peckinpah to the world.
'Ride the High Country' Named Randolph Scott's Best Western
ScreenRant ranked Ride the High Country as Scott's best Western.
"Ride the High Country is a poignant and introspective film, showing two retired lawmen grappling with existential and philosophical dilemmas, and while not an all-action affair, the emotional and mental stakes make it one of the most outstanding Westerns of the era," ScreenRant wrote.
"The beautiful cinematography, superb dialogue and help the film showcase an older man grappling with his legacy and life, mirroring the real-life questions from Randolph Scott himself. This performance would be his last ever role, marking a truly fitting conclusion to an extraordinary career, leaving at the top with the best work."
While the film received high marks from critics it lost $160,000 - but that might have more to do with Peckinpah's struggles with new MGM chief Sol Siegel who allegedly fell asleep in the film's screening and proclaimed it "the worst picture I ever saw."
The film owns a strong 89% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Related: 1953 Western Classic Among John Wayne's Best - But He Was The Second Choice
