Kevin Costner Raves Over Clint Eastwood’s Western Masterpiece: A Must-Watch!

Last year, celebrating his 70th birthday, Kevin Costner, a dedicated fan of westerns, took the opportunity to discuss his favorite films within the genre. The actor and director, known for classics like “Dances with Wolves” and “Open Range,” had previously shared his picks in an interview recently revisited by the website Letterboxd. Among his top four westerns, one choice is particularly striking.

When asked to name his four essential westerns, Costner starts with two undeniable masterpieces directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne. He mentions “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” “for its script,” and “The Searchers.” These films, iconic within the genre, naturally hold a special place in his list.

A Modern and Acclaimed Western

For his third pick, Costner chooses a more recent western, released in the early 1990s. “I really enjoyed Unforgiven,” he admits. “Actually, it was a project I tried to make when it was titled Whore’s Gold. (…) I always knew Unforgiven [eventually directed and starred in by Clint Eastwood, NDLR] had the potential to be a great film for one reason, its script. It had a spectacular script.“

Kevin Costner and His Own Works

Lastly, with a nod to modesty, Kevin Costner rounds out his top four with one of his own films. Contrary to what some might expect, he does not pick Dances with Wolves.

“I really loved making Open Range, and I still enjoy watching it today,” he reveals. Released in 2004, Open Range, in which he stars alongside Robert Duvall, portrays four friends bound by a strong code of honor as they traverse the vast plains of the West with their cattle. Their journey brings them to Harmonville, a town under the control of a corrupt sheriff and a tyrannical rancher, where they must defend their honor.

Speaking of his own directorial efforts, the third chapter of Horizon: An American Saga is planned by Kevin Costner, initially intended to be a four-film project. Although filming began in May 2024, the future of the project is now uncertain due to disappointing box office results from chapter 1, leading to funding issues and the postponement of chapter 2, which has not yet been scheduled for release.

To rewatch, among others, Open Range, his own creation that he lists among his favorite westerns, head to VOD.

Check out the trailer for the first chapter below:

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