A Fistful of Dollars (Per un pugno di dollari)
Directed by Sergio Leone
Written by Victoria Andres Catena, Jaime Comas Gil, Sergio Leone et al from Akira Kurosawa’s screenplay for Yojimbo
1964/Italy/Spain/West Germany
Constantin Film/Jolly Film/Ocean Films
First viewing/Amazon
[box] Joe: When a man’s got money in his pocket he begins to appreciate peace.[/box]
The Spaghetti Western is born.
The man with no name (Clint Eastwood) is referred to as “Joe” here so I’ll call him that. He wanders into a Mexican town that is plagued by the violent feud between two corrupt families, the Baxters and the Rojos. Strangers are not welcome but Joe earns respect by quickly dispatching four of the Baxters. He also befriends the local innkeeper and undertaker.
Joe is smart and enjoys playing the two sides against each other for fun and profit. He rescues a damsel in distress while he’s at it.
The story comes almost straight from Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo and translates well to the Western setting. I enjoyed the film, especially Eastwood’s iconic performance and the music. Recommended for Western lovers.
Clip
Awesome rendition of Ennio Morricone’s themes for the film
Awesome is the earring on the whistler’s right ear.
Yes, indeed!
that quote in the opening is so true, also beyond this movie.
As I am nearing the close of 1964 I am starting to this that this movie will my top movie for the year and it is not even on the list.
I have two or three weeks to the end and I can’t begin to imagine what my favorite will be.
You just know it’ll be Woman in the Dunes deep down. heh heh
I just realised there has been no mention of Onibaba in 1964…yet to come or one that has eluded you?
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058430/
I always confuse it and Woman in the Dunes.
Actually its the very next movie on my list! Will be reviewing it tomorrow!
Hmmm well timed or badly timed question LOL