Mann then turned to Westerns, making a number of films that are often cited as among the genre's highest achievements. Classics such as "Winchester '73" (1950), "Bend of the River" and "The Naked Spur" (both 1952) are noted for their well-crafted screenplays (often by Borden Chase), effective use of landscape and gritty violence. Starring in all three of these was James Stewart, who also appeared in several of the director's non-Western movies, notably "The Glenn Miller Story" (1953).
Mann's final films were sprawling, big-budget productions such as "El Cid" (1961) and "The Fall of the Roman Empire" (1964), which remain among the more intelligent and absorbing period spectacles Hollywood has produced. He died during the filming of the spy thriller "A Dandy in Aspic" (1968), which was completed by the film's star, Laurence Harvey. Married to actress Sarita Montiel from 1956 to 1963.