The Tragic End: Great Western Movies That Killed the Hero

The Tradition of Tragic Endings

Great Western movies that killed the hero at the end leverage the emotional connection established between viewers and the protagonist. Like many of the tropes co-opted by Revisionist and anti-Westerns, killing off the hero in the finale began as a classic Western movie tradition. Whatever a film's overarching message may be, the death of its hero in the third act highlights the unrelenting dangers of the American frontier.

Jeff Bridges as Deputy U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn on horseback in True Grit

Indeed, many of the best Western protagonists died in the finales of their movies. It's actually quite common for Western films to defy the conventional trope of a triumphant hero, opting for a more somber conclusion that underscores the sacrifices inherent to the label. Offering a poignant and reflective exploration of morality, justice, and the impermanence of the hero in the rugged landscapes of the Old West, great Western movies that killed the protagonist in the end remind viewers that heroism often comes at an ultimate cost. While this type of ending is typically heartbreaking, it also offers a more realistic perspective on life on the frontier.

Silhouette of Ruth Morris as 40-year-old Mattie in the ending of True Grit

The Demise of Iconic Heroes

The tragic endings of iconic Western heroes have left an indelible mark on the history of cinema. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, for instance, concludes with a dramatic and fatal confrontation for the charismatic outlaws. Fleeing from unending pursuit, Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid find themselves cornered in Bolivia. Despite their legendary escapades, the duo's luck runs out in a fierce gun battle. The film leaves an indelible mark with the iconic freeze-frame of Butch and Sundance facing overwhelming odds. The abrupt yet powerful ending underscores the inevitability of their demise and captures the essence of the changing era in the Old West. The characters' fate remains one of the most memorable and impactful conclusions in the history of Western cinema.

The Ending of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) and Sundance Kid (Robert Redford) running and shooting guns in black and white

Similarly, in True Grit, the narrative builds to a tense confrontation between Rooster Cogburn and the antagonist, Tom Chaney. During the confrontation, the determined young protagonist, Mattie Ross, intervenes and saves Cogburn. However, the recoil puts Mattie in the path of a rattlesnake - surviving but losing an arm. The film concludes 25 years later, revealing the poignant fate of the characters. These tragic endings not only highlight the sacrifices inherent to the label of heroism but also serve as powerful commentaries on the harsh realities of survival and the inevitable passage of time.

Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) and LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) argue in True Grit

The Wild Bunch's ruthlessly violent but poignant conclusion serves as a powerful commentary on the harsh realities of survival and the inevitable passage of time. As the titular outlaw gang faces overwhelming odds against a ruthless Mexican army, the leaders of the gang, Pike Bishop and Dutch Engstrom, meet their deaths in a hail of bullets, symbolizing the end of an era for these outlaws in the changing landscape of the Wild West.

Pike Bishop (William Holden) with a stern look in The Wild Bunch

The Harsh Realities of the Old West

The tragic conclusions of great Western movies underscore the unrelenting dangers and harsh realities of the Old West. The Ox-Bow Incident, for example, culminates in a tragic miscarriage of justice in a small frontier town. Donald Martin and his friends find themselves wrongly accused and are hanged without a fair trial. The devastating climax reveals the destructive power of mob mentality and the erosion of justice in the unforgiving Old West. Similarly, in McCabe & Mrs. Miller, John McCabe's ambition clashes with a powerful mining company, leading to a fatal outcome. Shot and wounded by the mining company's hired guns, McCabe meets a painful end in the cold, unforgiving landscape. These films present a gritty and unromantic portrayal of the Old West, emphasizing the harsh consequences of individualism and the complexities of ambition and survival in a changing frontier.

Henry Fonda as Gil Carter looking serious in The Ox-Bow Incident

No Country for Old Men concludes with a stark and unsettling resolution for the protagonist, Llewelyn Moss. After stumbling upon a drug deal gone wrong and becoming the target of a relentless hitman, Moss is fatally wounded in a tense confrontation, underscoring the unpredictability and brutality of the film's world. The ending serves as a reflection of the harsh realities and the inevitable consequences of actions in the Old West.

Josh Brolin as Llewelyn Moss looking weary after discovering millions of dollars in 2007's No Country for Old Men