Perhaps some explanation is required here. Drifter is indeed the best Clint film, because it is the finest example of a film that could be fairly described as being a "Clint film". Clint directs and stars through a plot that concentrates almost entirely on him. The "acts" in which he is not the main focus of attention could be counted on only two fingers (if memory serves). Other examples of "Clint films" include "Dirty Harry", "The Outlaw Josey Wales", "Pale Rider", "Honkytonk Man", "The Unforgiven", "Every Which Way But Loose" et al. The indisputably finest film that Clint is in must be "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" wherein Clint had to share the credit with the infallible Lee Van Cleef, an inspired performance from Eli Wallach and of course the renowned directing by Sergio Leonne.
Featuring one of the most moody and atmospheric openings in any film (a feat made all the more commendable considering that it was filmed in broad daylight) and managing to convey instantly The Stranger's dislike of the town. For an excellent example of perfect timing you need look no further than the first five lines of dialogue, where it is quite clear who has the upper hand and who is running scared (while standing still). This is Clint at his very best. Comparable only with Sabata in ability, The Stranger goes on to display his Herculean talents time and time again in the ill fated Lago as he razes it to the ground.
As he goes about his systematic destruction of the town, The Stranger displays again and again, with an acerbic wit, his hatred of all things Lago: a sneer here, a toss of the match there. Perfect. Funny in a very clever way yet still able to maintain its integrity as it conveys this jaundiced view of the old west. We see the town's residents being portrayed as a group of deceitful and cowardly egotists. The Preacher is a hypocrite, the Sheriff a coward, Lewis Belding is a traitor, his wife an open adulterer and the barman is just plain stupid. The only member of the town who we like is Mordecai and that is simply because his diminutive stature has left him out of favour among the other residents, which perhaps leads him to see this stranger in a different light (he lights Clint's cigars from the very beginning even after he has witnessed the rape).
Meanwhile, as this picture is being built up we also see Clint acting in a less than saintly fashion. He himself is depicted as being a drinking womaniser (though the women supposedly come round to enjoying the time he spends with them). And why does he hate the residents so much? They had him killed because he refused to back down after discovering that their mine was on Government land. Fair enough. Turning them into the Government for that would have ruined them though, and he should have understood the danger that he was in. And what of the men who had killed him, and had then been arrested under false pretences, something that he didn't seem to approve of? Well sure enough, they had been arrested for something that they didn't do, but they were bad cookies, so what was the quibble. Sure enough, what Lago did to him was not right, but he must have been pretty stupid to let himself get killed over such a thing. I can imagine it now, the classic "I'm telling on you" scene, immediately followed by the "Oh no you wont" scene.
These minor flaws aside, the picture includes a great wealth of varied characters, and very interesting events. Though the film has a slow feel to it, with Clint's slow drawl, a surprising amount happens. Almost everyone in the town is made to appear like a real person, and this creates a good feel for this unfortunate town stuck in the middle of the desert. As the plot develops we really do become curious as to what exactly will happen if and when Marshall Duncan's killers return. This itself is handled quite well, though it is not the films strongest point. The best bits are where Clint lets himself roam free to just "be Clint".
An excellent movie and possibly one of the funniest westerns out there, while not sacrificing anything as a serious film in it's own right. It does upset me though when people watch this film and fail to see the humour because it is too subtle for them.
Featuring one of the most moody and atmospheric openings in any film (a feat made all the more commendable considering that it was filmed in broad daylight) and managing to convey instantly The Stranger's dislike of the town. For an excellent example of perfect timing you need look no further than the first five lines of dialogue, where it is quite clear who has the upper hand and who is running scared (while standing still). This is Clint at his very best. Comparable only with Sabata in ability, The Stranger goes on to display his Herculean talents time and time again in the ill fated Lago as he razes it to the ground.
As he goes about his systematic destruction of the town, The Stranger displays again and again, with an acerbic wit, his hatred of all things Lago: a sneer here, a toss of the match there. Perfect. Funny in a very clever way yet still able to maintain its integrity as it conveys this jaundiced view of the old west. We see the town's residents being portrayed as a group of deceitful and cowardly egotists. The Preacher is a hypocrite, the Sheriff a coward, Lewis Belding is a traitor, his wife an open adulterer and the barman is just plain stupid. The only member of the town who we like is Mordecai and that is simply because his diminutive stature has left him out of favour among the other residents, which perhaps leads him to see this stranger in a different light (he lights Clint's cigars from the very beginning even after he has witnessed the rape).
Meanwhile, as this picture is being built up we also see Clint acting in a less than saintly fashion. He himself is depicted as being a drinking womaniser (though the women supposedly come round to enjoying the time he spends with them). And why does he hate the residents so much? They had him killed because he refused to back down after discovering that their mine was on Government land. Fair enough. Turning them into the Government for that would have ruined them though, and he should have understood the danger that he was in. And what of the men who had killed him, and had then been arrested under false pretences, something that he didn't seem to approve of? Well sure enough, they had been arrested for something that they didn't do, but they were bad cookies, so what was the quibble. Sure enough, what Lago did to him was not right, but he must have been pretty stupid to let himself get killed over such a thing. I can imagine it now, the classic "I'm telling on you" scene, immediately followed by the "Oh no you wont" scene.
These minor flaws aside, the picture includes a great wealth of varied characters, and very interesting events. Though the film has a slow feel to it, with Clint's slow drawl, a surprising amount happens. Almost everyone in the town is made to appear like a real person, and this creates a good feel for this unfortunate town stuck in the middle of the desert. As the plot develops we really do become curious as to what exactly will happen if and when Marshall Duncan's killers return. This itself is handled quite well, though it is not the films strongest point. The best bits are where Clint lets himself roam free to just "be Clint".
An excellent movie and possibly one of the funniest westerns out there, while not sacrificing anything as a serious film in it's own right. It does upset me though when people watch this film and fail to see the humour because it is too subtle for them.