- The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
- The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
- The Wild Bunch (1969)
- McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)
- The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
- Unforgiven (1992)
- The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
- True Grit (2010)
- The Hateful Eight (2015)
The Wild West, with its lawless expanses and rugged individualism, often brings out the best and worst in people. Envy, a powerful human emotion, can drive characters to extreme actions, making for compelling stories. This curated collection of ten Western films explores themes of jealousy, greed, and the destructive nature of envy, providing a unique lens through which to view the genre. Each film showcases how envy can lead to betrayal, conflict, and ultimately, the shaping of the West's legendary tales.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
Description: While not a traditional Western, this film captures the essence of greed and envy as three prospectors search for gold, only to find their friendship tested by their own desires.
Fact: Humphrey Bogart's performance as the paranoid Fred C. Dobbs earned him his only Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.


The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
Description: This classic Western delves into the myth-making of the West, where a humble man's accidental heroism is overshadowed by envy and the desire for recognition.
Fact: The film was one of the last Westerns directed by John Ford, and it was shot in black and white despite color being standard by that time.


The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Description: Envy plays a subtle yet crucial role in this epic, as the characters' pursuit of hidden Confederate gold leads to a complex web of alliances and betrayals.
Fact: The film was shot in Spain, not Italy, despite being part of Sergio Leone's "Dollars Trilogy."


The Wild Bunch (1969)
Description: Envy among outlaws and the changing times leads to a violent confrontation, highlighting the end of an era and the personal conflicts within the gang.
Fact: The film was controversial for its graphic violence, which was quite shocking for its time.


McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)
Description: This revisionist Western explores the envy and ambition of a small-time gambler who builds a brothel, only to face corporate greed and personal betrayal.
Fact: The film was shot in sequence, which is unusual for movies, allowing the actors to develop their characters naturally over time.


The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
Description: Envy and revenge intertwine as Josey Wales seeks justice against those who wronged him, showcasing the darker side of human nature in the post-Civil War West.
Fact: Clint Eastwood directed and starred in this film, marking a significant point in his transition from actor to filmmaker.


Unforgiven (1992)
Description: The film examines the consequences of envy and the myth of the "good" outlaw, as a retired gunslinger is drawn back into violence by a bounty.
Fact: It was the first Western to win the Academy Award for Best Picture since "Cimarron" in


The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Description: This film is a deep dive into the psyche of Robert Ford, whose envy of Jesse James leads to one of the most infamous betrayals in American history.
Fact: The film's title is taken from a book by Ron Hansen, which itself was inspired by a headline from the time of the assassination.


True Grit (2010)
Description: While primarily a tale of revenge, the film subtly explores themes of envy as characters vie for recognition and justice in their own ways.
Fact: This was the second adaptation of Charles Portis's novel, following the 1969 version starring John Wayne.


The Hateful Eight (2015)
Description: Envy and mistrust among a group of strangers during a blizzard lead to a tense and violent showdown, showcasing the darker aspects of human nature.
Fact: The film was originally intended to be a limited series for Netflix before being released as a feature film.
