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High Plains Drifter

Play trailer Poster for High Plains Drifter R Released Apr 19, 1973 1h 45m Western Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 32 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 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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High Plains Drifter

High Plains Drifter

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member A cowboy comes from nowhere. And takes revenge of someone he definitely knew. Movie has some really funny scenes too. Amazing... Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/03/25 Full Review Kyle M An unprecedented approach in a form of an antihero judgmental gaze, glaring at societal corruption without much collective justifying depth to deter the involuntary sympathy as it’s become a conflicting ground for mere characteristic establishment. Critically routine upfront, but what Clint Eastwood pulled off story-wise is rather a unique injection that doesn’t disrupt his usual stance amid a typical showcase when uncovering a tangible meaning with elaboration. (B) Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/30/25 Full Review Karel D A classic Clint Eastwood western with a weird twist. Unique, if you will. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/22/25 Full Review Balakrishnan M One of Clint Eastwood's best directorals, in the western genre of course. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/01/25 Full Review Nick D A load of crap best left in the 70s. 1 star is a gross exaggeration Rated 1 out of 5 stars 05/24/25 Full Review Peter B A classic from another time. Stylish cinematography, an intriguing story where everyone is the bad guy, good performances, even from Clint's hat. Just loses half a star from me due to the bright red chilli ketchup used for blood. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/16/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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High Plains Drifter

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Whipped to Death High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Whipped to Death 2:15 High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Whipping the Outlaw High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Whipping the Outlaw 2:22 High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Blowing Up The Hotel High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Blowing Up The Hotel 1:45 High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - The Sheriff and the Mayor High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - The Sheriff and the Mayor 2:44 High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Shave and a Shootout High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Shave and a Shootout 2:52 High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Shooting Up Hell High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Shooting Up Hell 1:57 High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Killing the Outlaws High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Killing the Outlaws 3:05 High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Target Practice High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Target Practice 2:47 High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - The Stranger Rides Away High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - The Stranger Rides Away 2:30 High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - He Shot My Ear Off! High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - He Shot My Ear Off! 3:17 View more videos
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Movie Info

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
Producer
Robert Daley
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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