Review of High Plains Drifter (1973) by John S — 01 Sep 2012

High Plains Drifter is simply astonishing. It's so good in so many ways that it just boggles the mind.

Clint Eastwood delivers a performance that's just to die for. He strikes on so many chords so brilliantly that you can't help but feel like bowing down to his talent in the middle of the movie. He takes his usual character performance to a whole other level. His eyes smolder right into your soul, his very presence and aura is mesmerizing in a way more intense than any of his other films. His character is such a mind-bending enigma that it's just a joy to take in his countless brilliant quips, brooding presence, and menacing fight scenes.

The way the story unfolds is so amazing. The sense of mystery is foreboding and establishes the film with a great tone. By the film's end, you're left with your jaw glued to the floor and with a consequent grin on your face a mile wide.

What's most interesting about High Plains Drifter is how it acts as a re-imagining of the classic formula made famous by the film Seven Samurai. High Plains Drifter is almost like a parody or satire of the film. The parallels between them are so wondrous to think about it. In a way, High Plains Drifter feels like a dark twisted version of Seven Samurai and it's glorious.

High Plains Drifter is one of the coolest films I've ever seen. Clint Eastwood's out-of-this-world performance, the story's brilliant mystery, and the film's parallels with Seven Samurai all make High Plains Drifter one of the best westerns of the era and one of the best of Clint Eastwood's career.