High Plains Drifter

Dir: Clint Eastwood (Unforgiven, Pale Rider, Letters from Iwo Jima)
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Billy Curtis, Stefan Gierasch, Walter Barnes, Verna Bloom, Marianna Hill
USA, 1973

Seen: November 10, 2007 thanks to Toronto Public Library

Reason to see: For Western month, I also tend to like Clint Eastwood films

This is one of the type of westerns that I was wary of when I first posted at the beginning of the month re: the Bad and the Ugly. I didn't know that this one would be an example of it, I just though - cool! Clint Eastwood flick! The level of dispassion and selfishness in the majority of the characters makes this quite a hard film to watch, although it does have it's moments. The music is spectacular and eerie, giving it an otherworldy feel. The protagonist is a highly skilled and adept individual which can be compelling to watch. But on the flip side, the sexual violence was not compelling to watch and was quite disturbing. I did feel that on the whole, the film was worth sticking through seeing it to the end, but I would not watch it again.

Warnings: Violence, sexual violence

Shannon's Overall View:
I was surprized by it
I'd not watch it again
I'd recommend it to die hard western fans, or those who enjoy an exploration of the dark side of human nature.

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