A Fistful of Dollars: Review By WiseGuy

A Fistful Of Dollars is a 1964 spaghetti western directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood in the leading role. This film not only launched the careers of Leone and Eastwood but was also the first film of its kind. And the first of the Dollars Trilogy (more commonly known as the Man With No Name Trilogy). When I first saw The Good The Bad and The Ugly I did not know that it was part of a trilogy as tremendous as this trilogy is. So I went out of order watching the three films. After watching The Good The Bad and The Ugly for the first time I feel in love with film and fully understood the appreciation for the art of cinema. Off topic, I watched this film a couple days ago for the first time and it soon became a favorite of mine. Then I would go on the watch For a Few Dollars More for the first time the following day and that also became a well deserved favorite. Finally seeing the three, they became my three favorite movies. With The Good The Bad and The Ugly being on top and this being on bottom. I am going to write reviews for all three of these films starting off, of course, with A Fistful Of Dollars. The other two will be up in a matter of time. I just wanted to let you know that so here we go. A Fistful Of Dollars Review By Me, WiseGuy.

Being a remake of the 1961 Japanese film, Yojimbo; this is regarded to be the weakest of the bunch in the trilogy. But it is still regarded as a classic. And it was the start of something new and creative. Spaghetti Westerns. A Fistful of Dollars starts off with a a gunslinger arriving at a small Mexican border town named San Miguel. We are introduced to the Man With No Name. The main character in the film. The Man With No Name, or in the film, refereed to as Joe, is quickly introduced to mafioso style families who are laying claim to the town. One is the family of town sheriff John Baxter who are trying to protect the citizens from the cruel and gruesome brutality of the Rojo Brothers, the other family. Consisting of Don Miguel Esteban, and Ramon the main antagonist of the film brilliantly played by Gian Maria Volontè, who would go on to play another villain in For a Few Dollars More.

The Man with No Name is very clever and calm. He is also a man you do not want to mess with. He is played by Clint Eastwood. Clint is fantastic as usual, and creates the coolest bad ass ever here. And one of the most memorable characters in the history of cinema. Clint went on to play the same role, The Man with No Name, in the two following prequels of the film. Gian Maria Volontè displays a brilliant villain, Ramon. He could not have been any better. And he really lets his character come to life.

While this may not be considered Leone's best achievement but you cannot deny the impact this film brought to the world of westerns and the art of cinema.

This film also marks the first brilliant soundtrack provided by the brilliant and talented Ennio Morricone who would go on to provide the brilliant soundtracks for the next two films in the trilogy and the new Quentin Tarantino film Inglourious Basterds. I am a sucker for westerns, more so spaghetti westerns, not only because of the story but because of the atmosphere and cinematography. The way that Leone captures all of the surroundings is just amazing.

And we are also introduced to Leone's signature style in the film. Close ups. This film certainly revolutionized the genre of westerns and oh man they were plenty more alike to follow. The ending scene is so full of tension and suspense that you will be cringing on the edge of your seat. This is also the same for For A Few Dollars More and The Good The Bad and The Ugly. Full of suspense, humor, tension, violence, and anger this film is and always will be timeless. It can be enjoyed and be fun to watch any day. This is without a doubt overlooked and underrated not receiving as much praise and recognition as it should. But all I can do is give you the same advice I was given. And that advice is what I hope you will also follow. I took the advice to go and see the film and the outcome was overwhelming.