High Plains Drifter

1973

Director: Clint Eastwood

Distributor: Universal Pictures

Key Elements: Lines – Characters – Concept - Music

My Review:

Forget John Wayne. Clint Eastwood is THE ultimate movie cowboy.

Though his signature work was done as “The Man with No Name” in Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Westerns, this movie, in which he directs and stars, is my favorite of his.

A story that could have been in the Twilight Zone, a stranger rides in and immediately takes control. He turns everything upside down, shifting power and transforming the town into a hellish nightmare. The music is fittingly creepy as well.

By the end of the movie, we realize the haunting purpose of his mission. Excellent spin on the classic western.

Spoiler: Clint Eastwood’s character is revealed to be the ghost of the town’s betrayed sheriff, returned from the grave to enact justice on his enemies. This parallel’s, in a sense, Christ’s triumphant return from the grave.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• What did you say your name was again?
  - I didn't.
• Somebody left the door open and the wrong dogs came home.
• Be careful. You're a man who makes people afraid, and that's dangerous.
  - It's what people know about themselves inside that makes 'em afraid.
• You're going to look pretty silly with that knife sticking out of your ass.
• They say the dead don't rest without a marker of some kind.

Still: