You know the setting: high noon, a dusty street in America’s wild west, two men facing each other across an empty downtown. While tumbleweeds rustle past, the men draw pistols and fire, quicker than lightning. When the smoke clears, onlookers declare the victor the fastest draw in the west. They declare the loser simply dead. So go the classic gun duels.
At least, we romanticize them that way on the big screen. In truth, however, gun duels probably had a lot more mess and a lot less artistry. Still, we can appreciate the stylized resolution of conflict here in the same way that we enjoy martial arts movies. To that end, we present, for your rejection and critical disfavor, our top five gun duels from the big screen.
Top 5 Gun Duels
In addition to the five below, give The Quick and the Dead a look if you like campy, wall-to-wall gun duels. We could not pick just one fight from that movie, otherwise it might have displaced one of these others.
- Once Upon a Time in the West
In the opening scene, the protagonist arrives by train to find three rough gunfighters awaiting his arrival. We consider this a pure example of the trope.
- The Matrix
Neo battling Agent Smith in the subway checks off all the boxes, including a piece of newspaper dancing by like a modern tumbleweed. Bonus for this duel turning into hand-to-hand combat.
- Escape from L.A.
Confronted by four, heavily-armed opponents, Snake Plissken does not flee. Rather, he challenges them to a quick-draw battle.
- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Watch the clip, it stands on its own. We do admit, however, that the drama and twist work even better when you’ve seen everything that transpires to that point. Also, Clint Eastwood’s costume in this movie inspired our own pachyderm’s look for Elephants Never Bet. And for another showdown triangle, stick with House of Flying Daggers till the bloodstained end.
- The Magnificent Seven
Before Denzel Washington put on a badge and filmed a remake, this classic western featured James Coburn bringing a knife to a gunfight. If that clip felt too fuzzy, go here for the punchline.
And since we can never seem to stop at five, enjoy a bonus sword duel from the underrated Predators.