High Plains Drifter
Universal Pictures | Release Date: August 22, 1973
7.7
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Generally favorable reviews based on 25 Ratings
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8
alejandro970Dec 16, 2022
Says the paradox: to save the just, you must make a pact with the Devil. Here Eastwood takes advantage of what he has learned in the spaghetti western with a plot that is fully attached to the genre. In some details they will seemSays the paradox: to save the just, you must make a pact with the Devil. Here Eastwood takes advantage of what he has learned in the spaghetti western with a plot that is fully attached to the genre. In some details they will seem inappropriate at the moment but it is not wasted.… Expand
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8
MoviezNPApr 7, 2020
Clint Eastwood became a star starring in Westerns, so it wasn't new to see him in this role. But being his second directorial movie, and his first Western, he worked quite safe, just doing what he learnt working as an actor in previousClint Eastwood became a star starring in Westerns, so it wasn't new to see him in this role. But being his second directorial movie, and his first Western, he worked quite safe, just doing what he learnt working as an actor in previous Westerns, especially "A Fistful of Dollars" (1964). .
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The opening sequence is a homage to (and not a bland ripoff of) the opening of A Fistful of Dollars. In fact, the entire movie uses the template of A Fistful of Dollars, but in a really loose manner. It's not really one of the greatest Westerns ever, it's very good though. The story unfolds quite interestingly, and Eastwood has always been great when is an eye squinting badass. His badass-ery and the dynamics between him and the characters elevated the material quite a bit. The movie doesn't feel quite ambitious, in fact, it feels kinda amateur compared to later Westerns, like "The Outlaw Josey Wales" (1976) and "Unforgiven" (1992), Eastwood directed. Everything felt pretty okay, until the final twist elevated the movie a bit more. It wasn't a Se7en or Usual Suspects or The Sixth Sense kind of twist, but was good enough to make the things we watched look better in the end. .
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The thing that was kind of stuck in my head was that the musical score and Eastwood's character - a mysterious messiah with unknown origins - in this movie was kinda "in you face" Dollars Trilogy reminiscence. Every Western before and after Sergio Leone's four absolutely great Westerns are bound to compared to the said four films. And, in my opinion, none of them are anywhere near those films. So, the music not being original isn't an issue, it could've been a little less obvious though. .
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I give it a 7.8/10 (A-).… Expand
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10
RobwinzJun 28, 2020
The scene where Clint Eastwood is about to get his clean shave is honestly cinema at it's best.
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7
r96skJan 26, 2022
I don't have much to say about 'High Plains Drifter'. It didn't thrill me or anything, but it did keep my attention from start-to-finish so it's evidently a good film.

Clint Eastwood is the only cast member worth talking about, he gives aI don't have much to say about 'High Plains Drifter'. It didn't thrill me or anything, but it did keep my attention from start-to-finish so it's evidently a good film.

Clint Eastwood is the only cast member worth talking about, he gives a commanding performance in the lead role. Geoffrey Lewis, a frequent castmate of Eastwood's, is the best of the rest, if I had to pick. The film does feature dark themes, which helps the film's pacing out a lot.

It's nothing special in my eyes, though there is entertainment there no doubt. It's a borderline 8* rating for me, but not quite.… Expand
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9
OriginalDangerJul 31, 2020
I've seen great Westerns such as El Dorado with John Wayne but this takes on a whole new meaning... Clint Eastwood stars as the man with no name in 1972's High Plains Drifter...... On the back of my DVD it says 72 even though it's supposed toI've seen great Westerns such as El Dorado with John Wayne but this takes on a whole new meaning... Clint Eastwood stars as the man with no name in 1972's High Plains Drifter...... On the back of my DVD it says 72 even though it's supposed to be in 1973 which is confusing.... Anyway Clint Eastwood stars in and directs HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER which is a mystery western and quite dark, bloody and cool. Geoffrey Lewis plays one of the badguys and the idea to paint a town red is strange but it worked well, the whipping scenes are great and the shootings and violence... Clint Eastwood's acting is faultless and perfect and the story never gets boring. Check this excellent film out.… Expand
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