Texas Western Films & Series: 12 Movie and TV Scripts Worth Reading (Script Library)
The Alamo (2004)
2004 | Western | War | Drama | True Story | Feature Film
Based on the 1836 standoff between a group of Texan and Tejano men, led by Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, and Mexican dictator Santa Anna's forces at the Alamo in San Antonio Texas. [IMDb]
Written by Leslie Bohem and Stephen Gaghan and Joh Lee Hancock
Scripts (for educational purposes only)
- Revised Draft (written by Leslie Bohem, rewrite by John Sayles) - Photocopy, dated May 12, 2002
- Revised Draft (rewrite by John Sayles) - Photocopy, dated March 25, 2002
The Alamo (1960)
1960 | Western | War | Drama | True Story | Feature Film
In 1836, a small band of soldiers sacrifice their lives in hopeless combat against a massive army in order to prevent a tyrant from smashing the new Republic of Texas. [IMDb]
Written by James Edward Grant
Script version: Photocopy, Shooting Draft, dated August 3, 1959 (for educational purposes only)
The Outlaw Josey Wales
1976 | Western | Based on a Book | Feature Film
Missouri farmer Josey Wales joins a Confederate guerrilla unit and winds up on the run from the Union soldiers who murdered his family. [IMDb]
Written by Phil Kaufman and Sonia Chernus
Based on the book "Gone to Texas" by Forrest Carter
Script version: First draft by Phil Kaufman, photocopy, numbered scenes, dated September 10, 1975 (for educational purposes)
True Grit (2010)
2010 | Western | Based on a Book | Feature Film
A stubborn teenager enlists the help of a tough U.S. Marshal to track down her father's murderer. [IMDb]
** Oscar-Nominated Script **
Written by Joel & Ethan Coen
Based on the novel "True Grit" by Charles Portis
Script version: Dated June 12, 2009 (for educational purposes only)
The Searchers
1956 | Western | Based on a Novel | Feature Film
An American Civil War veteran embarks on a years-long journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches after the rest of his brother's family is massacred in a raid on their Texas farm. [IMDb]
Written by Frank S. Nugent
Based on the novel "The Searchers" by Alan LeMay
Scripts (for educational purposes only):
- Shooting script, undated
- Photocopy, marked, numbered scenes, undated
The Son
2017-2019 | Western | Based on a Novel | Television Series
A multi-generational epic telling of the story of America's birth as a superpower through the bloody rise and fall of one Texas oil empire. [IMDb]
Written by Philipp Meyer & Brian McGreevy & Lee Shipman
Based on the novel "The Son" by Philipp Meyer
Script version: Episode 1 "First Son of Texas", Second Revised Network Draft, dated October 14, 2015 (for educational purposes only)
Rio Bravo
1959 | Western | Based on a Short Story | Feature Film
A small-town sheriff in the American West enlists the help of a disabled man, a drunk, and a young gunfighter in his efforts to hold in jail the brother of the local bad guy. [IMDb]
Written by Jules Furtham and Leigh Brackett
Based on the short story "A Bull by the Tail" by B.H. McCampbell (pen name of Beatrice Hawks)
Script version: Photocopy, numbered scenes, dated February 26, 1958 - inserted revisions dated June 17, 1958 (for educational purposes only)
Hud
1963 | Western | Based on a Novel | Feature Film
Honest, hard-working Texas rancher Homer Bannon has a conflict with his unscrupulous, selfish, arrogant, egotistical son Hud, who sank into alcoholism after accidentally killing his brother in a car crash. [IMDb]
** Oscar-Nominated Screenplay **
Written by Irving Ravetch and Harriet Frank, Jr.
Based on the novel "Horseman, Pass By" (re-released as "Hud") by Larry McMurtry
Script version: Marked & numbered photocopy (no cover page), dated March 12, 1962 (for educational purposes only)
The Wild Bunch
1969 | Western | Feature Film
An aging group of outlaws in 1913 Texas look for one last big score, selling stolen Army rifles to a rogue Mexican general during that country's revolution, as the traditional American West is disappearing around them. [IMDb]
** Oscar-Nominated Screenplay **
Written by Walon Green and Sam Peckinpah (story by Walon Green and Roy N. Sickner)
Scripts (for educational purposes only):
- Continuity Script, dated 1969
- Photocopy, numbered scenes, revisions dated February 12, 1968
Texas Rising
2015 | Western | Drama | True Story | Limited Series
The story of how the Texas Rangers were created. [IMDb]
Written by Leslie Greif, Darrell Fetty, George NihilScripts
Scripts (for educational purposes only)
- Episode 1 "Night One: From the Ashes" (first draft by Ted Mann) - Production Draft, dated January 15, 2014
- Episode 2 "Night Two: Fate & Fury" - Working Draft, undated
- Episode 3 "Night Three: Blood for Blood" - Working Draft, undated
Giant
1956 | Western | Drama | Based on a Novel | Feature Film
Sprawling epic covering the life of a Texas cattle rancher and his family and associates. [IMDb]
** Oscar-Nominated Screenplay **
Written by Fred Guiol and Ivan Moffat
Based on the novel "Giant" by Edna Ferber
Script version: Photocopy, numbered scenes, dated April 4, 1955 (for educational purposes only)
News of the World
2020 | Western | Based on a Novel | Feature Film
A Civil War veteran agrees to deliver a girl taken by the Kiowa people years ago to her aunt and uncle against her will. They travel hundreds of miles and face grave dangers as they search for a place that either can call home. [IMDb]
Written by Paul Greengrass and Luke Davies
Based on the novel "News of the World" by Paulette Jiles
Scripts (for educational purposes only)
- Numbered script, undated
- Draft (written by Luke Davies), dated November 22, 2017
