AFI described western films as "a genre of films set in the American West that embodies the spirit, the struggle and the demise of the new frontier. Brimming with subtext and mythology, westerns offer iconic images of a time gone by and perhaps a time that never was. A man of action with an unspoken code of honor, the western hero faces gun-toting opponents, hostile natives, lawless towns, the harsh forces of nature, and the encroachment of civilization. But the westerner keeps going, drawn to the freedom of the open plains and the promise of a new life."

Nominees: 11 of the 50 movies featured John Wayne; 10 of the 50 movies were directed by John Ford. Seven of these 21 movies featured both John Ford and John Wayne.

Winners: The Searchers (1956) (# 1), High Noon (1952) (# 2), Shane (1953) (# 3), Unforgiven (1992) (# 4), Red River (1948) (# 5), The Wild Bunch (1969) (# 6), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) (# 7), McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) (# 8), Stagecoach (1939) (# 9), Cat Ballou (1965) (# 10).

Comments: Cat Ballou (1965) doesn't belong in the top 10 - it's basically a comedy.