Animated western movies: Far West for the whole family

Animated westerns fuse the aesthetics of the Wild West with endearing animated characters, action-packed adventures, and values such as bravery, the fight for freedom and survival.

 

The Western genre is one of the most iconic in the history of cinema. With its depiction of intrepid pioneers, duels in the sun and the vast expanse of the Wild West, it has captivated generations of moviegoers, and continues to do so.

However, what you might not know is that the western genre also has a well-deserved space in the world of animation, and although these films are not very numerous so far, the truth is that they are little gems.

In this article, Corbeto’s will take a look at some animated westerns and how they have managed to revive the magic of the Wild West on the big screen, and for the whole family!

 

Animated westerns: “Lucky Luke: Daisy Town” (1971)

The classic “Lucky Luke: Daisy Town” is a French-Belgian animated film based on the popular comic book character Lucky Luke, created by Morris. The film was released in 1971 and focuses on the adventures of the famous lone cowboy as he battles outlaws in the Wild West.

The story is set in Daisy Town, founded by Lucky Luke, who is known for his superhuman skill with his revolver and his commitment to justice. The town has prospered under his leadership, and its inhabitants live in peace and security. However, this peace is threatened by the arrival of a band of outlaws led by the Dalton brothers, who are determined to plunder and rule Daisy Town.

Lucky Luke is forced to take on the Daltons and protect the town from the threat they pose. Throughout the film, duels, fights and comical situations ensue as Lucky Luke fights to restore peace to Daisy Town and defeat the outlaws.

 

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991)

This 1991 animated film was produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Phil Nibbelink and Simon Wells.

The film combines elements of the western genre with an immigration and adventure story starring mice. The film is known for its touching subject matter, endearing characters and focus on family values.

The film is the story of Fievel, a young mouse who, along with his family, emigrates to the United States from Russia in the late 19th century in search of a better life. After suffering various challenges and dangers on their journey, the Mousekewitz family arrives in New York, only to discover that the city is not the paradise they expected.

When Fievel learns that his idol, gunslinger Wylie Burp, lives in the Wild West, he decides to go in search of a better life and adventure in the West. There, he encounters characters like the villainous cat Cat R. Waul and a plucky cat named Tanya, who are involved in a scheme to trick the mice of the west. Fievel must join forces with new friends and face dangers to save his family and the mouse community.

 

“Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” (2002)

Although technically set in the American West, this animated film directed by Kelly Asbury and Lorna Cook captures the essence of the frontier and the relationship between man and horse. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is an animated film that combines elements of the western genre with an adventure story centred on an untamed horse and his quest for freedom. The film is known for its stunning animation and its message about the importance of freedom and determination.

The story stars a wild steed named Spirit, who lives freely on the plains of western North America. Spirit is an indomitable and proud horse who resists being tamed by humans. However, his life changes when he meets a young Lakota Indian named Little Creek, who captures him and takes him to his village.

In town, Spirit meets Rain, a mare with whom he falls in love. Together, Spirit and Little Creek plan to escape from the camp and return to the freedom of the plains. The film follows their exciting journey as they face obstacles and enemies, including U.S. cavalrymen.

“Home on the Range” (2004)

Home on the Range is an animated western film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures in 2004. Although it is not a classic cowboy-style film, it has elements of the western genre mixed with adventure, comedy and music.

The story is set in the Wild West and follows a group of cows living on the farm “Peace on the Prairie”. The owner of the farm, Pearl, is struggling to maintain her property due to financial problems, and the farm is in danger of being auctioned off. Cows Maggie, Grace and Mrs. Calloway, along with other farm animals, band together to save their home.

To do so, the cows decide to capture the dangerous outlaw Alameda Slim, who is known for stealing cattle. The reward for Slim’s capture is enough to save the farm. The three cows embark on an adventure to track Slim down, with the help of a horse named Buck and a pig named Jeb.

The film is full of humour and adventure, with the premise of saving the farm as the driving force of the story. “Home on the Range” is known to be one of the last traditionally animated films produced by Disney before its transition to computer animation.

 

 “Rango” (2011)

One of the most notable animated westerns is “Rango”. Directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Johnny Depp, who voices the title character, this film combines exceptional animation with western elements in a unique story and charismatic characters. Although it is not a traditional western, it captures the essence of the genre in a funny and touching way.

The story follows the wanderings of a chameleon named Rango, a lonely dreamer in search of adventure. Rango finds himself stranded in the Mojave Desert after falling out of his terrarium on the road. Seeking water and shelter, he arrives in the dusty town of Dirt, a place inhabited by desert animals, where water shortages are a serious problem.

Rango, seeking to fit into his new surroundings, invents a plucky cowboy persona and poses as the sheriff, which will lead him to face a series of challenges, including a group of bandits led by Jake the Turtle. Rango also becomes involved in a plot to uncover the cause of the town’s water shortage and unravel the corruption affecting the community.

 

The future of the animated western

As animation continues to evolve, we are likely to see more westerns in the future. The versatility of animation allows for the creation of visually stunning worlds and endearing characters that can more easily transport us to the golden age of the Wild West.

It is also important to highlight that the animated western is an opportunity for children to get to know this exciting genre, which is not only present in cinema, but also in music, literature… and fashion. At this point, it is inevitable to remember that at Corbeto’s Boots the youngest members of the family can also find genuine cowboy boots and authentic cowboy hats: because the western has no age, and it also has little fans who enjoy it just as much as the older ones. One way to get started is with animated westerns: dare to discover them yourself, no matter how old you are.