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A Fistful of Dollars (1964) Reviews

A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
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By the time Sergio Leone made this film, Italians had already produced about 20 films ironically labelled "spaghetti westerns." Leone approached the genre with great love and humor. Although the plot was admittedly borrowed from Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo (1961), Leone managed to create a work of his own that would serve as a model for many films to come. Clint Eastwood plays a cynical gunfighter who comes to a small border town and offers his services to two rivaling gangs. Neither gang is aware of his double play, and each thinks it is using him, but the stranger will outwit them both. The picture was the first installment in a cycle commonly known as the "Dollars" trilogy. Later, United Artists, who distributed it in the U.S., coined another term for it: the "Man With No Name" trilogy. While not as impressive as its follow-ups For a Few Dollars More (1965) and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966), A Fistful of Dollars contains all of Leone's eventual trademarks: taciturn characters, precise framing, extreme close-ups, and the haunting music of Ennio Morricone. Not released in the U.S. until 1967 due to copyright problems, the film was decisive in both Clint Eastwood's career and the recognition of the Italian western. ~ Yuri German, Rovi

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Starring:
Clint Eastwood, Marianne Koch, (more)
Director(s):
Sergio Leone
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(17 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Robinson G.

Great movie. Though, when the description says it "borrowed" from Kurosawa's "Yojimbo" I think it was putting it mildly. It almost is Yojimbo but a bit more modernized. Still, I did enjoy the new things the director brought to the story. I don't want to give anything away. I was definitely not disappointed. I was surprised to see (as with Yojimbo) that I could enjoy an old movie. I've tried to sit through a lot of so called classics and usually found myself quite bored. Yet, both movies definitely stand the test of time. I look forward to the "sequels" to this film as I hear they're supposed to be even better.

Yes   |   No


Patty B.

overall a very exciting western. Eastwood gives a great performance and the film always keeps itself moving and the plot is very fascinating and with some great innovatie camera work and some strong performances and some witty dialouge and the pacing was well-balanced. definitely worth a rental very entertaining spaghetti western intro 8/10 very impressive and entertaining film definitely well worth the time.

Yes   |   No


Steve G.

I saw this movie in a Drive-In years ago...and it is still just as enjoyable today. Lots of action...bad guys...and of course, Sir Clint, who walks on water and can kill an army of bad guys with just one gun ! Ain't it beautiful ? !!

Yes   |   No


John G.

The story was indeed borrowed from Kurosawa but then again so were a lot of hollywood films particularly westerns. Nevertheless, this is a great example of the classic "spaghetti" western which in it's own right is a unique art form. Classic Clint Eastwood!

Yes   |   No


Brad M.

A timeless classic. Don't pass this one up.

Yes   |   No


Daniel Q.

Vintage Clint Eastwood. The music in this film is just awesome. The film benefits from a highly climactic ending. It's a classic western about love, loyalty, hatred, violence, greed, power, and ultimately respect. Overall, If your looking for a classic wester, look no further. 9.5/10

Yes   |   No


Pamela H.

It is hard to understand the plot with the heavy accents. I would suggest watching the film with the subtitles on. Really good movie!

Yes   |   No


Mary R.

The DVD was too dark . I could barely see it. Also was hard to understand. I didn't finish looking at it.

Yes   |   No


Melanie T.

This the first of the trilogy to feature Clint Eastwood as the "Man with no name". It is an interesting film but no match to the sequel, "A Few Dollars More". In fact I like "A Few Dollars..." best out of all three. In "Fistful", the plot gets really complicated, especially since you cannot understant half of what is being said due to heavy accents.

Yes   |   No


Cary B.

I really love Clint Eastwood, but this film comes across as pretty amateurish--a slapstick comedy trying to be a drama. Or perhaps a drama trying to be a slapstick comedy? The acting is mediocre, the plot is flat and the movie is filled with Mexican characters portrayed as fools and as villainous sterotypes. Not recommeded despite its iconic status.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (17)
     
    Robinson G.

    Great movie. Though, when the description says it "borrowed" from Kurosawa's "Yojimbo" I think it was putting it mildly. It almost is Yojimbo but a bit more modernized. Still, I did enjoy the new things the director brought to the story. I don't want to give anything away. I was definitely not disappointed. I was surprised to see (as with Yojimbo) that I could enjoy an old movie. I've tried to sit through a lot of so called classics and usually found myself quite bored. Yet, both movies definitely stand the test of time. I look forward to the "sequels" to this film as I hear they're supposed to be even better.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Patty B.

    overall a very exciting western. Eastwood gives a great performance and the film always keeps itself moving and the plot is very fascinating and with some great innovatie camera work and some strong performances and some witty dialouge and the pacing was well-balanced. definitely worth a rental very entertaining spaghetti western intro 8/10 very impressive and entertaining film definitely well worth the time.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Steve G.

    I saw this movie in a Drive-In years ago...and it is still just as enjoyable today. Lots of action...bad guys...and of course, Sir Clint, who walks on water and can kill an army of bad guys with just one gun ! Ain't it beautiful ? !!

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 17 Reviews
       

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