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Summary: Ride out west into the Twighlight Zone
Review: The Twighlight Zone meets the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. I like this movie on many different levels. First, there is no one better at playing mean than Clint Eastwood. The level of mean here almost equals his output in Dirty Harry. Second, there's a midget in this movie, and it isn't some ten second cameo either. This midget, who knows how to act, plays a major role throughout the movie. As far as midget performances go, this guy ranks right up there with the Wizard of Oz and anything Joe Pesci has done. Finally, the supernatural feel of the movie is accentuated by an unnerving soundtrack and irregular camera angles. If you're hungry for DVD extras, this release will leave your stomach growling. There's a trailer, notes, and bios to snack on, but no commentary tracks or interviews to gorge on.
Rating:
Summary: A bear-classic fable of the Old West
Review: High Plains Drifter is a superior Eastwood Western that takes "The Man With No Name" characterone step further into the realm of myth. Is Eastwood's character the returned spirit of the betrayed sheriff or an avenging angel? You'll have to make up your mind yourself. An impressive tale of revenge and atonement. Four stars.
Rating: 
Summary: UNAPOLAGETIC EASTWOOD.
Review: I HAVE TO WONDER IF THE ONE TIME STAUNCHLY CONSERVATIVE EASTWOOD HASN'T TURNED 'LIBERAL.' BACK IN HIS CLEAR HEADED NIXON SUPPORTING DAYS, EASTWOOD CHURNED OUT SOME GREAT FILMS, THIS WAS ONE OF THEM. EASTWOOD'S SILENT STRANGER RIDES INTO THE SEA SIDE TOWN OF 'LAGO'
UNEXPECTED AND UNWANTED. HE QUICKLY DISPATCHES A FEW LOCAL 'TOUGHS' AND IS RECRUITED BY THE GUTLESS, HYPOCRITICAL TOWNSFOLK TO SAVE THEM FROM GUNMEN WHO ARE TO BE RELEASED FROM PRISON. THE GUNMEN WERE DOUBLE CROSSED BY THE LAGO CITIZENRY AND WILL NO DOUBT RETURN AFTER THEIR RELEASE FOR REVENGE. EASTWOOD IS SEEMINGLY THE GHOST OF A ONE TIME 'LAGO' MARSHAL WHO WAS WHIPPED TO DEATH BY THE SOON TO BE PAROLEES AND UN HELPED BY THE LAME TOWN'S SPINELESS POPULATION. AT ANY RATE EASTWOOD IS HAUNTINGLY VENGEFUL HIMSELF. HE TURNS THE TOWN INSIDE OUT AND UPSIDE DOWN AS HE READIES FOR THE RETURN OF THE BADDER BAD GUYS. IN THE FINALLY THE STRANGER GETS WHAT HE CAME FOR. THE DIALOGUE IS GREAT AND INTELLIGENT. IN ONE SCENE A WOMAN ADVISES EASTWOOD THAT "YOU MAKE FOLKS AFRAID AND THATS DANGEROUS." TO WHICH THE STRANGER ANSWERS PHILISOPHICLY "ITS WHAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEMSELVES INSIDE THAT MAKES EM AFRAID." THIS IS A THINKING MAN'S WESTERN AND ONE OF EASTWOOD'S UNAPLOGETIC BEST.
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Summary: Last of the Spaghetti Westerns
Review: Once again Eastwood does it with great style. The man with no name rides into town and wreaks havoc on the bad guys. An unusual dream of a sheriff that was whipped to death haunts him. As the story unveils itself we are drawn further into the past of the towns people. Not quite like his previous spaghetti westerns but still a hint of his character remains like a ghost that has come to see that justice is metered out. The fact that he rapes and kills does not seem to make us hate him, just accept him and know his final goal is as close to justice as we will see. The supporting cast is very good and the sets and music are great. Well worth adding to anyones western DVD collection. The quality of the picture and sound is excellent. Extras include notes, bios, highlights, and theatrical trailer.
Rating:
Summary: "Faster than you'll ever live to be ..."
Review: Once again, Eastwood offers up a smorgasbord of courage, daring, and confrontation of the criminally compromising. He leaves us once again, with a token reference of what an honest ethos of machismo really ought to be... Eastwood intelligently and sublimely assumes responsibilty and effectively takes control in HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER, a compelling and unforgettable film. Action, and the consistent holding of a moral high-ground to base ones' use of force on, combine to hold your attention all the way through this great film. There would be less need for 'Twelve Step' programs, and fewer cases of the needy 'walking wounded' among us, if more would assimilate the spirit of Clint Eastwood's generous and strong character in this, and other, Eastwood action and western films. Strength, courage, bravery, and brains combine in HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER to offer us an alternative to dangerous apathy, meek compliance, self-belittling submission, frustrating compromise, and fashionable self-deprecation. The classic human frailty of an 'unwillingness to get involved' gets a new and noteworthy analysis, and reversal, here. Notice how Eastwood winces during the scene in the bar as the diminutive Mordecai relates how he has been abused. This is strength expressing concern and humanity, not brutality. Watch how Eastwood compels a town to defend itself, all the while working in the retribution and revenge on that same town for fostering an honest Sheriff's death. See what it means to be cautious and alert to any attack, while only meteing out appropriate and suitable revenge. This film is not to be ignored just because it isn't 'The Unforgiven,' or because it isn't one of the classic spaghetti westerns. HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER holds its ground with the best Westerns. It even holds with the best films. Like Clint, it stands foursquare on the ground; like Clint, it does this with a calculated firmness derived from experience and intuition; and, like Clint, it does all this with a balancing admixture of grace and humor. The spirit of Eastwood lives on in HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER. All those who are receptive to the message here know this. Pity those who have yet to assimilate it. You'll need to get VHS copy of this to see the whole film. HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER is always severly edited for television, losing much of its spirit because of such tampering. In fact, like me, you will want to own your own copy. I wouldn't want to be without it. HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER is a 'keeper.' The punishments fit the crimes in HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER. And it would be a crime not to see this film. Ignore it at your peril. (note: I cannot comment on the DVD edition of HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER, as I have not viewed it.)
Rating:
Summary: A DEMON FROM THE DESERT
Review: As I watched this movie again I began to wonder if Stephen King used Clint's character as a prototype for Roland in his Gunslinger epic. Both characters are both brutal enigmas, equally caring and ruthless, often at the same time - and both possess a shooting acumen that is nearly god-like. To say that this movie is a "western" really is second to what it's about. In other words, to recommend this movie as a "good western" I think is missing the point. The world (Mid World for SK fans) in which Lago, soon to be Hell, exists is a world where a spirit can appear from the sun scorched desert to exact revenge on the town that had watched him die.
Bottom Line: Of all Clint's movies this one has always been my favorite. The originality and harsh brutality seemed to be ahead of its time. There is no last minute effort to create a morality tale or message or moral - it is what it is. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Best Eastwood Western
Review: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" is a slightly better film than "High Plains Drifter." However, Eastwood is almost upstaged by Eli Wallach in that classic Spaghetti Western. In "High Plains Drifter," what you get is the quintessential, undiluted "Man with No Name" character, with all the mayhem and intimidation that comes with it. The story is interesting and contains an important moral point about cowardice and conformity. The film ends with a ghostlike eerieness, which Eastwood used again in "Pale Rider" several years later. In summary, "High Plains Drifter" offers an excellent alternative to the countless run-of-the-mill westerns produced over the years.
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Summary: High Plains Drifter - Another great Eastwood western!
Review: In this classic western, Clint Eastwood performs admirably as producer, director and of course starring in the lead role. High Plains Drifter is an excellent tale that highlights Eastwood's talents in this genre, whether it's his "Stranger" type aura or the clipped but poignant lines. This great western has a superb script and exceptional performances by Eastwood and the other actors. Its surreal style, unexpected plot twists and great camera angles serve well to enhance this movies overall appearance. I do not normally comment on the soundtrack for films however, in this case I feel compelled to because I felt the soundtrack for this one is a perfect accoutrement to the overall feel of the movie! The premise: A lone stranger rides into town and is immediately set upon by some of the locals. Unfortunately for these rough locals, they've picked the star of the movie in Clint Eastwood to aggravate and they receive his quick six shooter justice for their efforts. The locals, being a cowardly bunch, eagerly set out to appease him in every way in order to secure his loyalty and protection from a group of criminals who are soon to be released from the territorial prison. The "Stranger" agrees to be their benefactor and immediately sets out to do so in some strange ways. Through humiliation, misogyny and the threat of immediate "justice," he begins to prepare the town for return of the criminals. As a surreal side note, the Stranger and some of the locals are having waking nightmares about the brutal killing of the former marshal by the criminals who are expected to return. What follows is a western that is one of the best and a benchmark for all westerns to follow. I highly recommend this great Eastwood western to any and all die hard or casual fans of the genre or the actor. It is a classic western that deserves a spot on the DVD rack. Special features: Not unlike many of the other movies of the time, this one isn't jam packed with special features because there just aren't many to throw in. It does have a great trailer and some production notes that are quite interesting to read through on the screen. {ssintrepid}
Rating:
Summary: "Flea-bitten range bums don't usually stop in Lago"
Review: A man no one knows rides into a town with a shady present and past. People in Lago seem paranoid and some are guilt ridden. As the show continues you start finding out why. Three men are hired to protect the town, especially from the three outlaws the town double-crossed who will be getting out of prison soon. Strangers aren't welcome here. But Eastwood is here to settle a score, that's why the sound of whips make him flinch. After Eastwood guns down the three men who are "protecting" Lago, they need someone else to take their place. Eastwood is reluctant to accept their offer until the appointed sheriff tells him he can have anything he wants that the town has to offer. Before it's all over he makes them sorry they asked. But he does accomplish what he came to town to do. Watch for Geoffrey Lewis, who's been in other Eastwood movies and played his brother in "Every Which Way But Loose".
Rating:
Summary: Comedy or Tragedy?
Review: The many perceptive reviews here cover the film well, but I would suggest that much of the film, especially the first part, is really comedy. The opening scene is amazing. The Stranger rides into town. The populace gazes on him in apprehensive terror. He rides on. More fear and shuddering. On he rides, and on. Even more frightened glances from doors and windows... This goes on for EIGHT MINUTES, until the viewer has to either start giggling or stop watching. ...This is certainly a great and and thought-provoking film, worthy of all the other analyses found in the reviews; but I suggest that the comic/satirical element is not to be overlooked.
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