High Plains Drifter

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High Plains Drifter

R

Released Apr 19, 1973

1h 45m

Western

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Popcornmeter

94%

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32 Reviews

86%

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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
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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