AniInterview
Sorry, this movie sucks
Stometer
Save your money for something good and enjoyable
Marketic
It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.
Devran ikiz
"High Plains Drifter" is a typical Western revenge film directed by Clint Eastwood. It is one of the earliest examples of Clint Eastwood as a director. He is also in the leading role as The Stranger. From the very beginning of the film, you get to understand the road it is going to follow. The Stranger rides into a sweet mining town near the sea called Lago. There is no talking in the first 6 minutes of the film. When he rides into the town, everybody watches him, and this is when we get to know a little bit the small town and its fearful people. During the first scenes you get to understand why Clint Eastwood has always been the symbol of masculinity in cinema. The character Clint Eastwood plays has a certain style that doesn't fail him. The same coolness of his characters in his other films is still here in the "High Plains Drifter". In Lago, people go on with their usual lives, but this sweet small town holds a terrible secret. Once upon a time, there was a marshal in this town and, when he finds out that the mine belongs to the government, he goes ahead and tries to reveal this secret. Three gunmen, hired by the townspeople, whip the marshal to death and the secret is hidden forever. When the film progresses, we get to understand that The Stranger is somehow related to the murdered marshal, and comes to this small town to take this revenge. Everything signals us that The Stranger is the ghost of the murdered marshal, Jim Duncan.It is said that "High Plains Drifter" is influenced by the works of film directors like Sergio Leone and Don Siegel. You see a lot of similarities between Eastwood's character in the "High Plains Drifter" and The Dollars Trilogy or in the films he worked with Don Siegel. Made in 1973, "High Plains Drifter" remains popular even today and represents one of the finest examples of the Western genre. This film is one of the best start points if you want to get familiar with Clint Eastwood's directing style. It hides its secret until the very last moment and reveals everything with its last scene. When the film opens with The Stranger killing three men and rapes a woman, I had no idea what was going on, but with the story developing, everything starts to make sense. He gets all the buildings painted in red and changes the name of the town from Lago to Hell for a reason which is held hidden until the very last scene.In order to understand the story, you need to pay attention to everything, because there are some scenes that reveal the truth about the revenge The Stranger comes to take. It is a very well made iconic film. Maybe the camera angles and the set don't create the necessary credibility, but overall image of the film is brilliant. Soundtracks keep the audience alert at all times and they fit the overall atmosphere of the film. Regarding the set, it is too obvious that it was recently built. In some scenes, camera angles are really bad and fails to focus on the bigger picture. In my opinion if camera was paying a little bit more attention to the reactions of people around, it would have helped to create a more credible atmosphere for the film. Other than the set, filming location is beautiful. Personally, I am sorry to see that this beautiful town of Lago is destroyed in the end of the film for good reason."High Plains Drifter" is a one-man film, but I can't say Eastwood's acting alone was enough for this film to be considered as a classic. The story behind justifies his reactions during the film. That's why both acting and the story are equally important and can't be separated. Even though before "High Plains Drifter", Clint Eastwood had this style, with this film he steps up and shows his talent as a director as well. All these years his contributions to cinema both as an actor and as a director can't be denied. Thanks to his early films like this one, he built a reputation and remained active until the present day. "High Plains Drifter" is a highly personalized Clint Eastwood film with a runtime of 105 minutes. Even though you are not a fan of Western, to understand the progression of Clint Eastwood, you need to watch this film.
beckr1
Critics and audiences made a huge deal over Unforgiven as being innovative and being a modern Western. Clint Eastwood did this in 1973 with High Plains Drifter. With set designs hearkening back to German Expressionism and filming techniques that employ Surrealism, this film was lost in the 70's cynical treatment of the Western as a genre and never got it's just dues. Those of us who love the Western will never pass up a chance to watch it in reruns. This was a Western that pulls no punches and all of the characters are despicable. Innovative, provocative, and uncompromising, High Plains Drifter was way ahead of its time for its filming technique, treatment of the anti-hero and the forerunner of many "revisionist" Westerns to come.
PimpinAinttEasy
I was completely taken aback by High Plains Drifter. This must be one of the most violent Westerns ever made. There are at least two prolonged scenes of torture. Clint's thoughts on female sexuality seems to mirror that of Charles Bukowski and Norman Mailer. I wonder whether the film created a furore when it first released. I am sure a film with the rape scene would not be made today. At least not in the mainstream.It is a relentlessly bleak Western with occasional moments of fun and scenes of kindness.I liked the small town by the sea. The background score was unremarkable at best. I read that Morricone refused to work with Clint because he feared that Leone would become jealous. This film needed a solid score by Morricone. Which would have taken it to another level.
nbthalia
The most controversial scene in this movie concerns the taking by Clint Eastwood of a "lady" and now referred to by many posters as a rape. These people should first of all consider the context, i.e. the "wild west" in the 19th century. This was not an epoch or location noted for gentility and good manners. Indeed, such attributes would have been ridiculed in a rough mining town such as this. Anyone being raised here would be influenced from a young age by ongoing situations and the general mores of the town. Let's not mince words here, this girl was a slut. Her initial approach to Clint was notable for its lack of finesse, but this girl knew no other way to approach a man. She had learnt from observation that this was the way to achieve her ends. This same approach, in a more modified form can even be seen today in some quarters. Rape? I don't think so. Her dubious character was accurately drawn. There is a strong and ironic comedic overtone to this movie and is very welcome considering some of the violence depicted. Never have so many craven cowards been assembled in one place. Of course, the movie is dated, but now takes its place as a classic of the genre. A great watch if you are in the mood for a simple plot which is brimming over with malice and satisfying revenge themes. Thank goodness Clint didn't ride off into the sunset followed by the departing unsatisfied wife who had simultaneously loaded up her buggy as Clint left town. That would have been unforgivably corny. On another note I thought the buildings in the outdoor set were unconvincing in some respects. The timber was too smooth and modern looking. Also the windows were obviously plate glass (not invented) and too sparklingly. clean considering the dusty street. And modern building materials could be seen, especially round the backs of the set.
