The Long Riders (1980) ****

When Walter Hill finally got around to making his first actual western (as opposed to telling western-styled stories in other genres), it resulted in 1980's The Long Riders, a project that brothers Stacy and James Keach (who also star and co-wrote the story for) had been attempting to produce for nearly a decade. The casting of four sets of brothers (the Carradines, Keaches, Quaids, and Guests) in the film's main roles never feels like a gimmick—there's a natural quality to their interplay and the on-screen chemistry is palpable. This filmic interpretation of the James–Younger Gang legend features an engaging story, wonderful performances, fantastic editing, an authentically regional score by Ry Cooder, impressive stunts, and a bloody slow motion shootout to rival Sam Peckinpah.

Walter Hill Films Ranked