“Best of the West” A Celebration of Western Film

On Saturday, March 24th, “Best of the West” a celebration of the western film genre and fundraiser for the Nevada City Film Festival, will screen some of the most iconic and influential western films ever made, at the Nevada Theatre, one of the most iconic and historic venues west of the Rockies.

Film Screenings:

Nevada City (1941)
Showtime 11am, Doors 10:45am

Stagecoach (1938)
Showtime 1pm, doors 12:45pm

The Magnificent Seven (1960)
Showtime 3pm, doors 2:45pm

Fistful of Dollars (1964)
Showtime 5:30pm, Doors 5:15pm

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (Director’s Cut) (1973)
Showtime 7:30pm, Doors 7:15pm

Unforgiven (1992)
Showtime 9:45pm, Doors 9:30pm

From John Wayne’s breakthrough performance in John Ford’s Stagecoach (1939) and B-Westerns like Nevada City (1941) starring Roy Rogers to the birth of the spaghetti western with Sergio Leone’s A Fistful of Dollars (1964) starring the formidable anti-hero Clint Eastwood and Sam Peckinpah’s star-studded revisionist masterpiece Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1974), this collection of Westerns aims to not only entertain the die-hard film lover, but introduce a new audience to the genre.  “There is no denying it, Westerns are super fun to watch,” says Jesse Locks, Festival Director, Nevada City Film Festival.  “It’s hard to not get caught up in all of the action, drama, beautiful locations and of course, unforgettable soundtracks. And for so many, it will be the first time they’ve seen these films on the big screen with proper projection and sound.”

Helping to breathe new life into these classic films are digitally remastered prints.  Audiences at Best of the West will enjoy enhanced quality of the sound or of the image, or both, from the original versions of these films.  

The all-day event is a fundraiser for the Nevada City Film Festival, coming to Nevada City later this fall (September 7th-14th), an independent and international film and filmmakers to Nevada County for the last 18 years.  Each year the festival screens nearly 100 award-winning short and feature length films at historic locations throughout Nevada City.  The festival also produces the popular Movies Under the Pines outdoor summer film series, student film workshops, filmmaker residencies, local screenings with other non-profits, and comedy shows.

“One of our goals this year is for the local community to become more involved with the festival,” explains Locks. “Best of the West is a fun way to support the film festival and learn more about how each and everyone can be part of, and proud of, this legacy of filmmaking, broadcasting, and media making in Nevada County.”

You can buy tickets online or post a comment here and I have 2 full day passes to giveaway.  Winner will be announced on Thursday, March 22nd. *Edited to say the winner is Ruth Chase.

© 2018 InnSide Nevada City, Photos © by Kial James Photography/Nevada City Scenics