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List Of Richard Harris Western Movies

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Updated April 22, 2024 8 items

Celebrated Irish actor Richard Harris starred in numerous films throughout his career, but his performances in Westerns are particularly noteworthy. The best Harris Western movies establish his extraordinary acting prowess, as well as offering the thematic depth, memorable characters, and riveting storytelling often associated with this genre. This article delves into the realm of Harris Westerns.

The exceptional Harris Western movies explore various themes, ideologies, and narratives against the backdrop of the Wild West. Harris's powerful presence helps bring to life complex characters and intriguing stories. Through these films, audiences can witness Harris's ability to captivate viewers while embodying the mythology of the West. 

Notably, some of the best Harris Western movies include Man in the Wilderness, A Man Called Horse, and Unforgiven. In Man in the Wilderness, Harris delivers a gripping portrayal of a man left for dead, battling the forces of nature and his own demons to survive. Similarly, in A Man Called Horse, Harris captivates as an English aristocrat who becomes embroiled in the world of Native American tribes and ultimately adopts their culture. Unforgiven showcases Harris's talent for breathing life into morally complex characters. These are just a handful of examples that highlight the diverse range of Harris Westerns available for audiences to explore. 

The best Harris Western movies offer viewers a chance to immerse themselves in the world of the Old West, brought to life through the dynamic talent of this renowned actor. Whether it's a harrowing survival story, a tale of  cultural fusion, or the thought-provoking themes of Unforgiven,, each of these films showcases Harris's ability to captivate viewers. 

 

  • A Man Called Horse

    A Man Called Horse

    Richard Harris, Judith Anderson, Jean Gascon

    For Fans Of: Western, Drama, Adventure
    Reasons to Watch if you Love Richard Harris: An essential part of the Richard Harris filmography, this 1970 classic showcases his ability to convey the struggles and determination of an English aristocrat who becomes a Native American warrior. Harris's raw intensity and fierce commitment to his role are palpable throughout, offering a fascinating insight into tribal life and rituals. His compelling performance elevates this film from its contemporaries, making it a must-watch for fans.

    In 1825, English big game hunter John Morgan (Richard Harris) is captured and enslaved by a Sioux tribe, forced to labor for tribal matriarch Buffalo Cow Head (Judith Anderson) as a common pack animal. Slowly, with the help of fellow slave Batise (Jean Gascon), Morgan learns his captors' language, and then proves his bravery in a battle with a neighboring tribe, earning their respect. Losing his associations with his previous life as a British aristocrat, Morgan becomes one with the Sioux.
    • Released: 1970
    • Directed by: Elliot Silverstein
  • Major Dundee

    Major Dundee

    Charlton Heston, Richard Harris, Jim Hutton

    For Fans Of: Western, Action, Adventure, War
    Reasons to Watch if you Love Richard Harris: This Sam Peckinpah-directed western features Harris in a complex role as an Irish Confederate officer who clashes with Charlton Heston's Union Cavalry captain during the Civil War. Showcasing excellent chemistry with Heston, Harris delivers a multi-layered performance that injects depth and humanity into his character. Western enthusiasts will enjoy seeing these two acting titans square off in a tense tale of rivalry, loyalty, and redemption.

    During the end of the Civil War, Major Dundee guards Confederate prisoners, Union deserters and ordinary hard-bitten criminals in a remote fort. When Apaches attack the fort and make off with three children, Dundee must set up a posse including Confederates, who face a choice between joining up or being shot. The feud between Dundee and Tyreen is also heated up by a sultry Mexican widow.
    • Released: 1965
    • Directed by: Sam Peckinpah
  • Man in the Wilderness

    Man in the Wilderness

    Richard Harris, John Huston, Henry Wilcoxon

    For Fans Of: Adventure, Western, Drama
    Reasons to Watch if you Love Richard Harris: A gripping survival drama set in the early 19th century wilderness of North America, this film sees Harris take on the physically demanding role of Zachary Bass, left for dead by his fellow fur-trappers after being mauled by a bear. The gritty determination displayed by Bass as he battles nature and himself is expertly portrayed by Harris, providing viewers with an exhilarating journey against all odds. Fans will appreciate how he fully commits to encapsulating Bass' unwavering spirit amidst adversity.

    When an expedition of early 1800s fur trappers in the American Northwest encounters a bear while hunting, their scout, Zach (Richard Harris), is unfortunately mauled. Although Zach's wounds are treated by the medic, the leader of the troop, Henry (John Huston), believes he will die and orders the troop to continue on while Zach is left behind. But Henry has underestimated Zach's will to live -- he survives and manages to regain his strength, in order to track the troop and exact revenge.
    • Released: 1971
    • Directed by: Allen Smithee
  • Silent Tongue

    Silent Tongue

    River Phoenix, Richard Harris, Dermot Mulroney

    For Fans Of: Horror, Western, Drama
    Reasons to Watch if you Love Richard Harris: Directed by the legendary Sam Shepard, this atmospheric western delves into themes of love, loss, and obsession as Harris plays Prescott Roe – a grieving father seeking retribution for his son’s mistreatment by a traveling circus troupe. His nuanced performance brings depth and sensitivity to the role, as he battles inner demons and external threats alike. This haunting and visually striking film offers viewers an opportunity to witness Harris in one of his most introspective roles.

    Silent Tongue is a Western written and directed by Sam Shepard. It was filmed in Spring 1992, but not released until 1994. It was filmed near Roswell, New Mexico and features Richard Harris, Sheila Tousey, Alan Bates, Dermot Mulroney and River Phoenix. The film is about a young man named Talbot Roe, who's gone insane over the death of his wife. Talbot's father, Prescott Roe feels his son's pain and wants to find him a new wife. He goes back to the place where he bought Talbot's first wife, from Eamon McCree. He finds the dead wife's sister, who is a champion horse rider and Mr. McCree's daughter, which makes her only half-Indian. Roe asks McCree if he could have his last daughter for his son, but McCree refuses. Then, Roe kidnaps her and tries to get her to help him, and she takes the deal for gold and four horses. But Talbot isn't taking any chances for her—he's too afraid that she'll try to take his wife's corpse from him. And for the last few nights, he sees the ghost of his dead wife, who wants him to destroy her corpse, but he won't.
    • Released: 1994
    • Directed by: Sam Shepard
  • The Deadly Trackers

    The Deadly Trackers

    Richard Harris, Rod Taylor, Al Lettieri

    For Fans Of: Crime, Drama, Western, Thriller
    Reasons to Watch if you Love Richard Harris: Featuring a captivating performance by Harris as a sheriff seeking revenge on the brutal outlaw who murdered his wife and son, this 1973 western provides ample opportunity for him to exhibit both his physical prowess and emotional range. As Sheriff Sean Kilpatrick, Harris exudes raw determination that is sure to captivate viewers from start to finish. His intense screen presence acts as the driving force behind this dramatic tale of vengeance.

    Sean Kilpatrick (Richard Harris), a pacifist border-town sheriff, has used some unconventional methods to keep order in his tiny Texas town. But Kilpatrick's belief system is rocked when the villainous Frank Brand (Rod Taylor) and his gang murder Kilpatrick's family following a bank robbery that goes wrong. An enraged Kilpatrick trails the gang into Mexico, where he partners with local police officer Gutierrez (Al Lettieri) to bring down Brand once and for all.
    • Released: 1973
    • Directed by: Barry Shear
  • The Return of a Man Called Horse

    The Return of a Man Called Horse

    Richard Harris, Gale Sondergaard, Geoffrey Lewis

    For Fans Of: Adventure, Western, Drama
    Reasons to Watch if you Love Richard Harris: Reprising his iconic role from the original A Man Called Horse, Harris delivers another outstanding performance as John Morgan, returning to the Sioux tribe after being unable to readjust to English society. Demonstrating growth in character development since the first film, Harris’ portrayal of Morgan’s internal struggle and loyalty towards his adopted tribe is nothing short of enthralling. Fans will find this sequel enriching due to its intricate exploration into cultural identity and personal growth.

    In this sequel to "A Man Called Horse," Lord John Morgan (Richard Harris) returns to the American West after feeling out of place in England. When he finds his Sioux friends who adopted him as one of their own, Morgan learns that white fur-trappers are murdering the Sioux and forcing them from their ancestral lands. While the Sioux initially believe that divine intervention will save their tribe, Morgan convinces them that the only way to regain their land is to fight back.
    • Released: 1976
    • Directed by: Irvin Kershner
  • The Triumphs of a Man Called Horse

    The Triumphs of a Man Called Horse

    Richard Harris

    For Fans Of: Western, Biography, History
    Reasons to Watch if you Love Richard Harris: In this final installment of the Man Called Horse trilogy, Richard Harris returns once again as John Morgan with an increased sense of responsibility towards protecting his Sioux family from encroaching settlers and gold prospectors. Showcasing his commitment to the role through intense action sequences and emotionally charged moments, Harris breathes life into a story centered around courage, sacrifice, and leadership. This fitting conclusion will be treasured by those who have followed Morgan's journey throughout all three films.

    Triumphs of a Man Called Horse is a 1983 American Western film directed by John Hough and starring Richard Harris, Michael Beck and Ana De Sade. Harris reprised his role as British aristocrat John Morgan, 8th Earl of Kildare, who becomes a member of the Lakota Sioux. It was the final film of the trilogy after A Man Called Horse and The Return of a Man Called Horse.
    • Released: 1982
    • Directed by: John Hough
  • Unforgiven

    Unforgiven

    Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman

    For Fans Of: Western, Drama
    Reasons to Watch if you Love Richard Harris: Despite not being in a lead role, Harris steals the show with his portrayal of English Bob, a flamboyant and arrogant gunslinger in this Clint Eastwood-directed masterpiece. His magnetic screen presence and skillful delivery of witty dialogue make every scene he's in absolutely riveting. As part of an all-star ensemble cast, Harris brings depth and charisma to a memorable character that will have viewers eagerly anticipating his next appearance onscreen.

    When prostitute Delilah Fitzgerald (Anna Thomson) is disfigured by a pair of cowboys in Big Whiskey, Wyoming, her fellow brothel workers post a reward for their murder, much to the displeasure of sheriff Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman), who doesn't allow vigilantism in his town. Two groups of gunfighters, one led by aging former bandit William Munny (Clint Eastwood), the other by the florid English Bob (Richard Harris), come to collect the reward, clashing with each other and the sheriff.
    • Released: 1992
    • Directed by: Clint Eastwood