muons
If I didn't see the director's name, I'd think this is another Sergio Leone movie, but after having starred in quite a few of them, no wonder C. Eastwood's first directing project is heavily influenced by his master's style. I write this review after seeing this movie maybe the fourth or fifth time. Not that I like it a lot but I stumble upon it on tv channels and not having anything better to do I sit and ask myself what the heck this is about every time. The movie opens with a stranger riding into a sleepy western town. After the usual scuffle with the local troublemakers, he kills three of them with indemnity and rapes a woman who harasses him on the street for no apparent reason. Then, the story drags on in a similar irrational fashion.One thing is clear that the movie is all about hate and vengeance. There's not a single likable character including the would-be protagonist. Indeed there's no real character at all but all caricatures of evil. The plot is ludicrously unrealistic. Almost everything goes against the logic and nothing makes sense. The raped women hug the aggressor with lust after a few seconds (apparently, Eastwood thinks he has an irresistible charm even as a raper); the whole town shakes in terror against three men, etc. The whole project looks more like Eastwood tried to parody the previous spaghetti westerns but without humor. Indeed, there are some attempts for humor, like the midget's appointment as a sheriff, the three villains being fed with their horses in prison, etc. but they are all bland. To top it all, the pace is crawling and the whole story is plain boring.Perhaps, the worst comes at the end, when the anti-hero explains why he acted so obnoxiously throughout the story. Apparently, he thinks his reasoning is enough to vindicate his rape and murders; and expects a belated blessing for his actions. What a puerile finale...
Uriah43
This movie begins with a cowboy (played by Clint Eastwood) riding out of the desert heat into a small town called "Lago". He then goes into the only saloon in town where he encounters a problem with three cowboys but rather than get into it with them he decides to go to the barbershop for a shave. The three cowboys follow and upon provoking him they get shot for their efforts. Minutes later a woman named ""Callie Travers" (Marianna Hill) deliberately bumps into him on the street and then starts and berating him for no particular reason. One thing leads to another and eventually he drags her into a barn and proceeds to rape her. After that he heads to the local hotel to get a room where he immediately falls asleep on the bed and has a nightmare of being whipped to death in this same town while all of the townspeople look on. The next day "Sheriff Sam Shaw" (Walter Barnes) comes to see him and with the blessing of the town council offers him anything he wants if he will protect the town from three outlaws who are due to be released from prison and plan to ride into town in the next couple of days. But what the sheriff and the townspeople don't realize is that this particular cowboy has his own way of doing things and doesn't particularly care whether they like his methods or not. Not only that but he has a secret agenda of his own. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a very good—albeit highly unusual—type of Western with definite paranormal overtures. Again, this film is not a typical Western but I found it to be quite entertaining and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.
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.
staven600
Rewatched it just now, excellent, cathartic, funny, ultra-violent, eerie sort of black comedy western starring Clint Eastwood as a nameless avenging angel who brings some cleansing to a town of corrupt and fearful people who each carry a share of guilt and shame after they allow a marshal to be tortured to death at the hands of bandits. The soundtrack by Dee Barton is very eerie and shrill, often composed of wild animal-like howling that compliments the primal violence. The film is funniest when Clint Eastwood offhandedly rapes a woman without a second thought and takes over the town as if it were his right. The kindly smile he wears as he implies sexual assault to the wife of the hotel owner is priceless. You can tell Eastwood had fun making this film and also starring in it. The pyrotechnics and action are spectacular, especially the finale. Refreshingly simple and fun film.
AD
