Review of High Plains Drifter (1973) by Danny R — 02 Dec 2011
A brooding, thought-provoking dark western by star/director Clint Eastwood, It begins with a scorched plateau then suddenly a shadow of a man on horseback emerges out of the wary distant heat vapors galloping towards the lakefront town of Largo, the mysterious stranger slowly rides through town with a hardened look on his face and unknown intentions, the townspeople are cowering weaklings who look upon the nameless stranger with fear especially after he has killed three hired gunmen single-handedly, when they foolishly try to pick a fight with him, Clint Eastwood delivers a compelling and memorable performance as the stranger who the townspeople have now hired to protect them from three revenge-seeking criminals who get out of prison in a few days and are responsible for the murder of the town's sheriff who they bull whipped to death in front of all the townspeople, various indications throughout this film suggest that the unstoppable stranger is some sort of reincarnation of the murdered sheriff an embodiment of pure deadly retribution.
Astute direction by Clint Eastwood and superb supporting performances by Verna Bloom, Marianna Hill, Mitchell Ryan, Jack Ging, Geoffrey Lewis, and Anthony James. Special kudos must go to Billy Curtis for his solid turn as Mordecai the town midget, the film is also accented by a haunting score by Dee Barton and excellent cinematography by Bruce Surtees.
An exceptionally entertaning motion picture and one of Clint Eastwood's finest early directorial achievements. Highly Recommended.
This review of High Plains Drifter (1973) was written by Danny R on 02 Dec 2011.
High Plains Drifter has generally received very positive reviews.
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