High Plains Drifter (1973)

“It’s what people know about themselves inside that makes ’em afraid. ” – The Stranger

Number of Times Seen – 1 (10 Apr 2016)

Brief Synopsis – A stranger shows up at a frontier town and is hired to keep the town safe from 3 deadly men on their way to enact revenge.

My Take on it – This movie was Clint Eastwood’s first foray into directing a Western.  Yes, he spent many years in front of teh camera in that genre, but this was only his second time directing and he does an excellent job here.

He is able to perfectly set up the story and characters to a point where we aren’t quite sure who to like and who to dislike.

The buildup is at a pretty slow pace and even characters we like do things we can’t say we are proud of along the way.

The entire cast of characters are all quite different and we get to know each of every one of them  by learning of their past and watching how they act now in the present for fear of the future.

Parts of this film feel like a copy of The Magnificent Seven (1960), but after a double take, it’s easy to see the vast difference between them.

The bottom line of this movie tho (and what sets it apart) is that it really is a morality play set in the Old West.  The message is quite clear and it really shines through very clearly for all to see and learn from.

Bottom Line – Slow moving Western that was the perfectly set up by first-time Western Director Clint Eastwood. The cast of characters in the town are interesting and eclectic. I liked the ambiguity of who the main character could be.  Such a great message about morality that shines through. Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Shortly after the film’s release, Clint Eastwood wrote to John Wayne, suggesting that they make a western together. Wayne sent back an angry letter in reply, in which he denounced this film for its violence and revisionist portrayal of the Old West. Eastwood did not bother to answer his criticisms, and consequently they did not work together. (From IMDB)

Rating – Globe Worthy

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