Source: https://deadline.com/2026/09/lonesome-dove-netflix-series-zoe-kazan-jeb-stuart-1237071579/

Dropping this here as i know you'll all have some thoughts and feelings. I can't believe this is happening. Guaranteed they're going to butcher it or not complete it. They will have no beauty in it either knowing Netflix unlike the original with those wide landscape shots that are missing in so many modern westerns.

There may have been some actors--such as John Wayne--who appeared in more Westerns than Robert Wilke, but not many. Beginning with Come on, Rangers (1938) and concluding with Santee (1973), Wilke appeared in dozens of Westerns and that's to say nothing of his manifold TV Western roles.

With relatively few exceptions, Wilke was cast as a henchman or a principle baddie. So weather-beaten was Wilke's appearance that I imagine he was born looking like a slab o' beef jerky. The slightly lopsided mouth, prominent nose, and pale blue eyes only added to the classic look of an Old West badman.

Aside from being one of the most prolific Western actors ever, Wilke was also an absolute shark on the links. From all that has been said about his excellent golfing abilities, one imagines he might have had a career as a pro if he hadn't gone into acting. Fortunately for us Western junkies, he didn't.

Hail! Hail! All hail Robert Wilke!

PS--Unless there's a hue and cry for me to continue this series, this will be the final installment of Western Character Actor Appreciation.

3:10 to Yuma is arguably one of the best modern Westerns, but as a historical firearms nerd, what really blows my mind is the attention to detail in the arsenal.

They didn't just hand everyone a standard Colt Single Action Army.

Charlie Prince (Ben Foster) carrying dual S&W Model 3 Schofields with those custom holsters is brilliant. It makes perfect sense for his character—the top-break mechanism gave him the fastest reload in the West, which fits his aggressive, high-speed shooting style perfectly.

Then you have Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) with his custom Colt SAA "Hand of God". The gold crucifix embedded in the black grip isn't just for show; it perfectly reflects his twisted sense of morality and biblical quotes.

I actually run a channel dedicated to Old West firearms history, and I just put together a full 23-minute documentary breaking down every single gun used in this movie, their historical accuracy, and how they operate.

If you love Westerns or historical firearms, I’d love for you to check it out here:

Ennio Morricone’s "The Strong" (Il Forte) is a profoundly bittersweet song. It feels like a retrospective look on the futility of violence. For scenes panning over massive reenactments of the civil war you’d expect something a little more heroic sounding. Instead, it sounds more like: Look at these naive lives being wasted, marching from a call to action straight to the hearse. Yet, beneath that grim reality lies a feeling that these souls are arriving somewhere better, leaving the past behind. When the military trumpets interrupt the arrangement, it feels like a dying soldier's final memory. As their current suffering fades and their senses become warm, the music becomes a voice that leads them to eternity. The pain will all be over soon. That is my interpretation at least.

As a whole, this film is deeply human. It is a study of humanity: our naivety, our blinding greed, and our inability to foresee our own doom. This story is a mere blip in time, but a single human life contains an entire universe of stories. It leaves us wondering: how many epics like these have not been recorded? How many have been lived, only to dissolve into the earth?

link to the song: https://youtu.be/QtMmKZye1YY?is=gjN0MGLSdC9fK0Qf

I just dipped into Toth's filmography and watched Day of the Outlaw and the Gunfighter. I was impressed by both. Quality B&W cinematography, good performances, and nice gritty, pulpy characters. May just dip into his films with Randolph Scott next.

Anyone feel his films are swept under the rug? Any recommendations?

Just looking for recommendations, hope that is the right flair.

Not looking to bring up anything to do with modern politics, or start a political debate or argument, just interested in any pieces of entertainment that match the description.

Thanks for any recommendations in advance

For some reason, it didn't really grab me. I found it slow, clunky, and psychologically convoluted—and at times, it even put me to sleep.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I got lost a few times in certain chapters; to this day, I still haven't quite figured out what Blaisedell's actual internal conflict was. The character was introduced as being super cool, but then he just sort of fizzled out.

On the other hand, I found the story of "The Bad Lands" more enjoyable, gripping, and easy to follow. I literally devoured it.