The Western genre is known for its poignant, thrilling, slow-burn adventures that explore the nature of morality and test the tenacity of characters forced to survive extreme circumstances. While the most common blueprint of classic-era Westerns was to follow a handful of characters, often just one protagonist, the scope of storytelling has since widened, allowing for multiple primary characters, hence the case with The Harder They Fall.
From the best John Ford movies to the best Robert Mitchum Western movies, the Frontier myth used to be a common subject of Western filmmaking before the ’70s and ’80s, when the genre went through a major revision. Since then, while the skeleton structure of Westerns has stayed the same, the themes and the settings have diversified considerably.
Excellent Asian Westerns fans of the genre must see, for instance, often seamlessly blend local Asian cultures and even martial arts action with the generic conventions of Westerns. However, the biggest change is perhaps the increased use of ensemble casts, which was much more rare in the past. Recently, a 2021 Western featured an ensemble cast that deserves more recognition.
The Harder They Fall Has A Loaded Cast
Even Minor Roles Are Played By Famous Actors
Directed by Jeymes Samuel, The Harder They Fall has one of the most impressive ensemble casts in recent Hollywood history. Jonathan Majors plays Nat Love, who rallies his gang to fight against recently released crime boss Rufus Buck, played by Idris Elba. With a stacked cast alongside the two leads, the movie recreates a real-life story with considerable creative freedom.
Despite an impressive 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Harder They Fall bombed at the box office.
Regina King stars as the villainous “Treacherous” Trudy Smith, who took over for Rufus when he was imprisoned. Zazie Beetz plays the role of the outlaw barkeep Stagecoach Mary, and Danielle Deadwyler is Cuffee, Mary’s bouncer and the latest member of Nat’s gang. The real-life main cast is rounded out by LaKeith Stanfield as the famous gunslinger Cherokee Bill.
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Among the minor characters is U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves, played by Delroy Lindo. He’s joined by Edi Gathegi and RJ Cyler as Bill Pickett and Jim Beckwourth, respectively. They rob gangs like the Crimson Hood Gang, led by Damon Wayans Jr.’s Monroe Grimes. Deon Cole is also present as Wiley Escroe, who betrayed Rufus Buck when he was in prison.
Other Westerns With Fantastic Ensembles
There Have Been Many In Contemporary Cinema History
Despite being buoyed by its ensemble cast that makes it one of the best modern Western movies, The Harder They Fall remains criminally underrated. However, many other Westerns have been more fortunate, and their ensembles have received the praise they deserve. Quentin Tarantino notably gathered eight famous actors for his Hateful Eight, often considered to be his most underrated film.
A 13-year-old Hailee Steinfeld, who won an Oscar nomination for her performance, rounded out the cast of the Coen brothers’ True Grit, which starred Josh Brolin, Matt Damon, and Jeff Bridges in minor roles opposite her. Genre legend Clint Eastwood’s final Western, Unforgiven, also features Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris, and Gene Hackman.
Almost everyone working in Hollywood at the time starred in How the West Was Won.
The most influential Western of all time, How the West Was Won, arguably has the best ensemble cast in a Western ever. Henry Fonda, James Stewart, Gregory Peck, Eli Wallach, John Wayne, Debbie Reynolds, and Lee Van Cleef are a few of the cast members. Almost everyone working in Hollywood at the time starred in How the West Was Won.
