High Plains Drifter

R

Released Apr 19, 1973

1h 45m

Western

List

94%

Tomatometer

32 Reviews

86%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

In this Western, a drifter with no name (Clint Eastwood) wanders into a small town, where his gun-slinging abilities are in high demand. When the drifter rides into Lago, he is met with incredulity and disapproval by the townspeople. But once he shows his skills with a pistol, the locals realize he may be able to help them fend off a band of criminals who have been terrorizing the town. He agrees to help the townspeople, but does so with his own secret agenda.

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Critics Consensus

Clint Eastwood's sophomore outing as director sees him back in the saddle as a mysterious stranger, and the result is one of his most memorable Westerns.

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Perry Stewart

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

The difference between this and all those “Dollars” pictures is that Clint has gone and refined the art of steel-eyed enigma. Eastwood directed this one himself and, like his earlier Play Misty for Me, it shows he has some savvy behind the camera.

Jun 14, 2022

Full Review

Noel Murray

The Dissolve

Eastwood holds fast to the rebel spirit of the spaghetti Westerns and revisionist "New Hollywood" Westerns of the previous decade, but packages it in a film that's slicker and more mainstream-friendly.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 28, 2013

Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

As a director, Eastwood is not as good as he seems to think he is. As an actor, he is probably better than he allows himself to be.

Oct 26, 2008

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

In High Plains Drifter, Clint Eastwood already shows off his promising talents as a filmmaker in only his second directing gig.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 5, 2023

Full Review

Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

A nasty, eerie Clint Eastwood Western...

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 11, 2023

Full Review

Robin Holabird

Robin Holabird

I admit Mono looks phenomenal in this memorable piece where Eastwood spins off his Spaghetti Western persona during a violent round of vengeance.

Aug 10, 2021

Full Review

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Crocodile D

This movie as a western horror story truly stands out, something like this could never be made in the modern day with current cancel culture making it a true once in a lifetime experience. Truly a gritty story that holds nothing back, if you're sensitive don't watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/12/24

Full Review

Ravenswood R

Very strange movie. Starts out great and very promising, but devolves into a loose story peppered with caricatures and cliches. Eastwood is in excellent form. On screen he does as expected throughout. As usual for these films he has very scant dialogue. But dialogue is not the point. The revenge aspect is muddled and in the end we get it, but it never earns the audience rooting for the hero. Vengeance is delivered, but without a compelling purpose. Not an essential western by any stretch, but good for fans of Clint Eastwood and the "mysterious gunman" trope.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/26/24

Full Review

Robert G

The Man with essentially No Name is back as a vengeful ghost. Dominating the town that allowed him to be killed, and paying back his killers. With the help of Mordecai, Lago fully pays for its sins. Even to the point of being rebranded as Hell.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/09/24

Full Review

Equitable T

A ham-fisted and vomitous peak into Clint Eastwood's degeneracy. Atrocious.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/03/24

Full Review

Michael W

This spaghetti western was great. Clint Eastwood, Verna Bloom, Marianna Hill, Billy Curtis, Geoffrey Lewis, Jack Ging, Mitchell Ryan, and the rest of the cast did a great job in this movie. The plot of the movie was thrilling and dramatic. It's about getting revenge for a town corrupted by outlaws. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a must see.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/24

Full Review

Eye C

The man with no name returns, to avenge. Damn this is a nice western.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/19/23

Full Review

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Clint Eastwood

Director

Clint Eastwood

The Stranger

Verna Bloom

Sarah Belding

Marianna Hill

Callie Travers

Mitch Ryan

Dave Drake

Jack Ging

Morgan Allen

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High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Whipped to Death

2:15

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Whipping the Outlaw

2:22

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Blowing Up The Hotel

1:45

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - The Sheriff and the Mayor

2:44

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Shave and a Shootout

2:52

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Shooting Up Hell

1:57

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Killing the Outlaws

3:05

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Target Practice

2:47

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - The Stranger Rides Away

2:30

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - He Shot My Ear Off!

3:17

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Synopsis

In this Western, a drifter with no name (Clint Eastwood) wanders into a small town, where his gun-slinging abilities are in high demand. When the drifter rides into Lago, he is met with incredulity and disapproval by the townspeople. But once he shows his skills with a pistol, the locals realize he may be able to help them fend off a band of criminals who have been terrorizing the town. He agrees to help the townspeople, but does so with his own secret agenda.

Director: Clint Eastwood
Screenwriter: Ernest Tidyman
Production Co: Universal Pictures, The Malpaso Company
Rating: R
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 19, 1973, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2015
Runtime: 1h 45m

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