The 10 Best Movie Quotes in Westerns

Summary

• The era of Westerns peaked 50 years ago, but modern filmmakers are reinventing the genre with new twists and styles.
• Best characters and tough guys in cinema history come from Westerns, delivering timeless one-liners and monologues.
• Films like “Brokeback Mountain,” “Bone Tomahawk,” and “Rango” show the Western genre’s potential for diverse storytelling.

The era of the Western was at its peak 50 years ago. It’s a harder genre to crack in this day and age. A lot of the newer generation of filmmakers don’t turn to such films, either because it has already been done so thoroughly and is very constrained in its rules, or they believe that the audience will not be there, or just because their ideals don’t align with the genre.

However, a few modern filmmakers have tried to reinvent the Western by keeping its codes but mixing it with other genres or styles. Such examples include Brokeback Mountain which explores a forbidden gay romance in 1960s Wyoming, the terrifying horror Western Bone Tomahawk, or the animated Rango where the main character is a chameleon. Horrific, Black-led, nihilistic, or even science-fiction — the sky is the limit, for those who are brave enough.

With that being said, some of the best characters in the history of cinema came from Westerns. It’s a genre of films that gave audiences some of the best ‘tough guys’ to ever grace the big screen. And with that came great one-liners and monologues that have still stood the test of time. Here are the best movie quotes in Westerns.

Updated on February 27, 2024, by Samuel Cormier: If you are a fan of Westerns and quotable one-liners, then you will be happy to know that this article has been updated with more content.

13 High Plains Drifter (1973)

“Well, right now I don’t feel too agreeable.”

High Plains Drifter is the second film directed by Clint Eastwood and the first that he both directs and stars in. He plays the unnamed Stranger, who sets out to put the corrupt mining town of Lago back on the right path. The film contains some very suspenseful moments, bordering on horror, which makes it an intense watch. In fact, The Stranger himself, all things considered, might even be a creature from another plane… The dialogue and imagery are heavy on dark humor and metaphors, making it a work that audiences will think about for a while.

A Thrilling One-Liner

The film is loaded with exciting moments and great tough-guy talk that only Eastwood can deliver. The line, “Well, right now I don’t feel too agreeable,” isn’t necessarily the most standout line of the whole film, but it encapsulates Clint’s no-name character really well as a drifter, one who is quick with a pistol and also has his own secret agenda. In a way, it ties into the atmosphere of High Plains Drifter as a whole. The film is notable for feeling a little “off” when compared to other revisionist Westerns at the time, and though it wears the veneer of a typical Clint Eastwood venture, the eccentricities found throughout are too numerous to be accidental. It’s surreal, it’s possibly supernatural, and its true intentions are hidden under the grit of the desert sands. Stream on Netflix.

12 The Wild Bunch (1969)

“We’re gonna give ’em war”

The Wild Bunch is a classic ensemble Western directed by Sam Peckinpah. It is a great team-up movie about a bunch of outlaws who plan to do one more robbery before the gang’s leader, Bishop, retires. When the heist is revealed to be a setup, the gang goes on the run in Mexico. The film is innovative in more ways than one, especially in approaching cinematography, featuring multi-angle quick-cut scenes as well as slow-motion, an emerging technique in 1969. It also deals with a very specific time period before WWII, tying into a revolution against the Mexican government, and clearly marking the end of the classic vigilante/outlaw dynamic, proving it with casual graphic violence and authentic crudeness along the way.

Epic and Iconic

“We’re gonna give ’em war” is one of the best-delivered lines in the film. When uttered by Pike Bishop (William Holden), audiences sense the bunch getting into rally mode as they take on the opposition led by Deke Thornton (Robert Ryan). A perfect title sequence for an epic Western face-off. This particular line is a terrific encapsulation of what The Wild Bunch is ultimately all about: bravery, helplessness, and feeling like one has nothing to lose anymore. It’s a film that is loaded with gunfights, camaraderie — and, as a plus, one of the best opening credit sequences of all time. Stream on Classix, or available to rent on Apple TV, Prime, and Vudu.

11 The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

“This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact? Print the legend.”

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is told as one long flashback. In the present, senator Ranse Stoddard (Jimmy Stewart) personally comes to the funeral of a layman, Tom Doniphan (John Wayne). When questioned why he is here, he goes on to tell their shared history. 25 years prior, Stoddard arrived as a young lawyer in an unincorporated territory and instantly started to suffer the bullying of local outlaw Liberty Valance and his band. He then develops a guarded friendship with Doniphan, full of mixed emotions and unfortunate events, which reaches its climax in Doniphan sacrificing his reputation for Stoddard.

A Triumphant Ending

Reporter Maxwell Scott (Carleton Young) realizes that Valance’s career is built on a lie, but eventually decides that it does not matter, and says the final line of the film: “This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact? Print the legend.” So it was in the West: distances are immense, word travels fast, information is not properly relayed, and many outlaws and vigilantes were probably overcelebrated over events that they may not have even been involved in. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a movie that wonderfully mixes political intrigue, genuine human relationships, and a slice-of-life pace. It has some of the most well-written characters in Western history with Stoddard and Doniphan. John Wayne directed by John Ford is always a winning combination, especially in their antepenultimate collaboration totaling 14 films between 1939 and 1963. Stream on Paramount+, and Prime.

10 The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)

“When you have to shoot, shoot, don’t talk.”

Timeless Italian Western classic The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly tells the story of three gunslingers, Clint Eastwood as “the Good”, Lee Van Cleef as “the Bad”, and Eli Wallach as “the Ugly”, who compete for a secret treasure of Confederate gold during the Civil War itself. It is the third installment of the “Dollars Trilogy”, after the slightly lesser successful A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More. Director Sergio Leone was praised for his trademark use of long shots and close-up shots, as well as his depiction of tension and graphic violence.

The Line We Were All Thinking

In this particular scene, Tuco is taking a bath when a man busts in, holding him at gunpoint. The man had been in pursuit of him for months, giving him a long speech about his hunt to capture him. Like most well-adjusted people would, Tuco lifts his gun up from underwater and shoots him dead, followed by this iconic line. “When you have to shoot, shoot, don’t talk,” is arguably one of the most cathartic lines ever uttered in film history. In fact, viewers who have seen the film will often hear it repeated in their heads whenever some villain starts monologuing instead of delivering the killing blow. This line was apparently improvised by actor Eli Wallach, who plays Tuco (the Ugly). It caught the cast and crew off guard, leaving them in stitches during the initial shoot. Stream on Max and DirecTV.

9 Hang ‘Em High (1968)

“When you hang a man, you better look at him.”

In Hang ‘Em High, Clint Eastwood plays Jed Cooper, a man who barely survives a mob lynching for a crime he didn’t commit, shown in the shocking first scene of the movie. After being saved, he is brought before a judge, who declares him innocent, but makes him promise not to enact revenge, and even offers him a job as marshal to arrest them instead. Cooper goes on a quest to find his tormentors and take care of them one by one — with some rocambolesque adventures and several more near-death experiences in the midst.

Vengeful and Ominous

The first man that Cooper finds is Reno. As he approaches him in a bar, he slowly undoes his neckerchief to show his scar from the lynching, making Reno instantly recognize him, all while saying: “When you hang a man, you better look at him.” It is the ultimate sentence announcing revenge, and with a visual that causes goosebumps. In just one phrase and one gesture, he manages to state who he is, who he is here for, and what he’s about to do. Chilling. Cooper eventually shoots Reno dead in self-defense. Hang ‘Em High has been praised for its impressive special effects for the time, which helped in depicting violence accurately. It was also a political commentary, as Judge Adam Fenton is inspired by the real-life Judge Isaac Parker, who ordered an unusually large number of hangings during his service in late 1800s Arkansas. Stream on Max and Kanopy.

8 Big Jake (1971)

“You’re short on ears and long on mouth.”

John Wayne may not be everyone’s cup of tea nowadays, especially now that classic Westerns are more accessible than ever. However, this underrated John Wayne Western does introduce some unique ideas to the genre. Being set in the 1900s, the incorporation of automobiles gives Big Jake some extra novelty, and an additional dose of violence and grit feels in line with the advent of revisionist Westerns throughout this period. In the film, Wayne plays Jacob McCandles, the head of the McCandle clan, who returns to his estranged family to lead the search for his kidnapped grandson.

A Quote that Feels Like it Has History

Jake brings his two sons along with him to deliver the ransom to the kidnappers. The line “You’re short on ears and long on mouth.” is delivered to one of his sons in a very witty and grouchy manner. This quote means that his sons in the movie are too focused on talking, rather than listening. John Wayne is known for many tough-guy quotes similar to this one. Even in the twilight of his career, he’s still capable of convincingly delivering lines like this. This quote honestly has the potential to become a proper saying! Beyond just a witty one-liner, it holds a good piece of advice for anyone watching. Stream on Peacock and Paramount+.

7 Lonesome Dove (1989)

“It ain’t dying I’m talking about, it’s living.”

Lonesome Dove ran for four episodes in February 1989 as a TV miniseries. In this short-paced Western series, Academy Award winner Robert Duvall stars alongside Tommy Lee Jones as former Texas Rangers who renew their worn-down spirits on a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. The themes approached are rather unusual for traditional Westerns, dealing with old age, death, unrequited love, and friendship. The miniseries was based on the Larry McMurtry novel of the same name and saw a sequel in the form of Return to Lonesome Dove in 1993.

Short and Sweet

“It ain’t dying I’m talking about, it’s living,” is a line that encapsulates this dramatic miniseries in a nutshell and is delivered by Duvall. It perfectly describes the ideology of getting older in the Wild West. It’s a simple but effective line, showing that Duvall isn’t necessarily concerned about his pending death, but about living the life he can while he has it. Knowing how fraught with danger the life of a Texas Ranger is, he can’t be blamed for having this gloomy outlook. Stream on Peacock, Starz, and Roku.

6 The Hateful Eight (2015)

“We’re in the West, the West is where you make your luck.”

Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight tells the story of eight strangers who find themselves seeking refuge in the same stopover town during a blizzard. The movie helms an incredible ensemble cast with Tarantino’s favored actors as well as some others: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen and Bruce Dern. Originally planned to be a sequel to Django Unchained, Tarantino eventually decided to make it a standalone film, taking place sometime after the Civil War. Jackson’s performance as Major Marquis Warren in the film embodies the Wild West and the survivalist mode one must have during this period.

A Modern Classic Line

“We’re in the West, the West is where you make your luck,” is a bit of wisdom that Marquis shares with the others he is stranded with during a snowstorm. Though he’s currently stuck with several other gun-toting strangers, they’re all there for their own reasons. There are so many loner characters in Westerns due to the fact that, in order to last long in a world with minimal rules, you must go at it alone. It’s possible that this is referring to the multitude of reasons that brought people to the West as well, be it the California Gold Rush, the lofty promises associated with Westward Expansion, and so on. The idea of constant lawlessness over cooperation is more a product of the romanticized views of the West depicted by films like The Hateful Eight. That being said, the film was incredibly entertaining, so no complaints there. Stream on Netflix.

5 The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)

“Are you gonna pull those pistols or whistle Dixie?”

Clint Eastwood appears multiple times on this list, as he is the definitive Western hero whom all still admire to this day. In The Outlaw Josey Wales, Eastwood plays a Confederate soldier named Josey Wales, whose wife and child are murdered by Union soldiers led by Captain Terrill (Bill McKinney). After some time serving as a skilled gunman in a Confederate guerrilla, Wales eventually flees to Texas after gunning down McKinney’s men and becomes close with a family down there. Unfortunately, his past eventually catches up to him.

A More Poetic Way of Saying “Shut Up”

“Are you gonna pull those pistols or whistle Dixie?” is given during a standoff in the older western town. It’s one of the best put-up or shut-up lines in a Western, which Eastwood seemed to have a natural talent for delivering. After all, half a decade prior to The Outlaw Josey Wales, he portrayed Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry, where he gave the famous “do I feel lucky” speech. A sequel came out in 1986, titled The Return of Josey Wales, where Josey Wales was played by Michael Parks, who was also the director, not unlike Eastwood. Rent on Apple TV, Prime, and Vudu.

4 Unforgiven (1992)

“….and I’m here to kill you.”

Unforgiven is not only a masterpiece of a Western film; it’s an overall classic film. It was the Best Picture winner at the Oscars that year, a rarity for the Western genre, while also taking home Best Director for Clint Eastwood and Best Supporting Actor for Gene Hackman. Some would even argue that it’s one of the last “true” Westerns. It tells the story of William Munny, an aging outlaw who takes on one last job after giving up his murderous lifestyle for a quiet life of farming.

The Perfect Monologue-Ender

Munny (Eastwood) enters the scene on a rainy night in a saloon with his rifle raised at Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman), giving him a speech that acknowledges the awful things he did as an outlaw years ago. But Munny was there for vengeance due to what had happened to his friend, Ned (Morgan Freeman), earlier in the film — hence ending his monologue with “….and I’m here to kill you.” It’s an incredible performance, and it’s no surprise that Eastwood thinks highly of Unforgiven when looking back on his previous films. Stream on Tubi.

3 Tombstone (1993)

“I’m your Huckleberry.”

Tombstone is also known as one of the last great Westerns ever made. A film with an ensemble cast featuring the likes of Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Michael Biehn, and Sam Elliott, Tombstone is an amalgamation of several historical events stitched together into a surprisingly cohesive narrative. It primarily focuses on Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell), who travels alongside his brothers, Morgan (Bill Paxton) and Virgil (Sam Elliott), as he’s forced to don his lawman badge once again. Though the film is loaded with other memorable quotes, we had to highlight this one in particular.

Strangely Charming

Though the film is loaded with other memorable quotes, this one in particular is worth highlighting. It’s Val Kilmer’s delivery of the simply said line, “I’m your Huckleberry,” that takes the cake. For those confused, the strange, often misinterpreted sentence means “I’m the one you want” or “I’m the man for the job.” It’s a line that goes hand in hand with the character of Doc Holliday and his wit and sharp tongue. He utters it as he prepares for a duel against Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn), before ultimately winning in dramatic fashion. Kilmer’s performance in Tombstone would go on to be one of his career-defining acting performances. Stream on Hulu and DirecTV.

2 Johnny Guitar (1954)

“Boys who play with guns have to be ready to die like men.”

Johnny Guitar is unusually early in its time, as it centers around Vienna (Joan Crawford), a saloon owner and extremely strong-willed woman. She does not get around well with the townspeople, due to her support of urban developments that most of the town does not want, letting Confederates frequent her saloon and her overall aggressive character. She is in an on-and-off relationship with The Dancin’ Kid (Scott Brady) opposite another influential woman in town, Emma (Mercedes McCambridge), whose only goal is to get Vienna out of town. Things escalate to the point of no return when a new troublemaker and former lover of Vienna’s reenters her life: Johnny Guitar (Sterling Hayden).

Conveying Frustration, Sadness, and Wit All in One

Although Vienna has an endless number of iconic lines throughout the movie, especially about her place as a woman of her time and her love-hate relationship with men, no quote encapsulates it better than “Boys who play with guns have to be ready to die like men.” It truly expresses how she thinks about all those men who fight seemingly for no reason around her, to the point that she loses two of her most important things. It is a bittersweet line, as she is both frustrated and saddened by everything that is happening around her. All-in-all, Johnny Guitar is a quintessential Western with a strong female lead, a rarity even today. Stream on PlutoTV.

1 True Grit (1969)

“Fill your hands, you son of a b**ch.”

In True Grit, 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) hires disheveled U.S. Marshall Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne) to track down the man who murdered her father. Soon after they go on the hunt, they are joined by a Texas Ranger by the name of La Boeuf (Glen Campbell), who inserts himself into their mission, as he is after the same man who is wanted for killing a Texas senator. The three clash over bringing the same man to justice as they soon venture into Indigenous territory. The film culminates in one of the most major moments in movie history.

The Ultimate Declaration of Defiance

Cogburn takes a stand against the gang of outlaws, all of them on horseback. He gives them an ultimatum; he shoots them now or captures them and brings them in to be hung. In true outlaw fashion, they are defiant. “Fill your hands, you son of a b**ch!” is shouted by Rooster Cogburn, and a duel ensues. It’s a climactic moment of great cinema. Wayne’s mannerisms and how he reloads his shotgun during the shootout were later mimicked in Terminator 2: Judgment Day by Arnold Schwarzenegger. The role earned John Wayne an Oscar late in his career and life, and some argue it was his last truly great movie. Stream on MGM and Paramount+.

Tired of exchanging words? Are you the type to prefer exchanging bullets instead? If so, check out our video chronicling the best Western shootouts below.