The style and aesthetics of Western movies have been built on repeated tropes, creating a recognizable cinematic language in the process.

The all-time best performances in Western movies include unforgettable turns by Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven and John Wayne in The Searchers.

The Searchers, High Noon, and Unforgiven are among the best Western movies that can truly be called masterpieces.

Winner, Winner Eva Marie Saint with her Oscar in 1955. Getty She was all smiles at the 1955 Academy Awards with her gold statuette, beating out Nina Foch, Katy Jurado, Claire Trevor and Jan Sterling.