Why Clint Eastwood’s 1973 Western Is Not For Beginners but a Must-See Classic

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For individuals eager to delve into the Western genre, there’s no shortage of choices; however, it’s advisable to steer clear of a Clint Eastwood masterpiece when starting out. While selecting actors for Western films offers a rich pool of talent in the realm of top-tier Western productions, featuring legends like John Wayne, Gary Cooper, and contemporary stars such as Clint Eastwood and Kevin Costner, it’s crucial to approach Eastwood’s Western films with caution. This is because his offerings may differ significantly from what most fans typically expect in the genre.

Clint Eastwood initially made a name for himself on television, but it was Sergio Leone and his spaghetti westerns that catapulted him to fame as a Western legend. Notably, Eastwood played the Man with No Name in the Dollars trilogy, commencing with A Fistful of Dollars. These films adhered to the traditional Western structure, but they were produced by an Italian filmmaker experimenting within a genre that Americans had refined. However, when Eastwood moved on to direct his own films, he ventured into the less conventional territory of blending the Western with a supernatural angle in movies like High Plains Drifter.

High Plains Drifter Isn’t A Great Introduction To The Western Genre

Clint Eastwood Brought Too Much Supernatural Aspects Into The Movie

Western stories typically revolve around settings in the American Frontier, showcasing narratives about ordinary folks and those who bravely confront villains to safeguard their communities. Occasionally, the genre introduces enigmatic characters who arrive in town, promising aid as citizens grapple with insurmountable challenges posed by outlaws, barons, and others. Clint Eastwood excelled at portraying this style of narrative, a skill evident in his spaghetti Westerns that culminated with the release of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

In addition, he portrayed a character with similarities in “High Plains Drifter,” but this film introduced elements not commonly seen in traditional Western narratives. The movie opens with unsettling scenes. Eastwood is depicted as The Stranger, a man who arrives in town and promptly executes three guards meant to safeguard it. He then forces himself upon a woman who makes advances towards him, and experiences a dream of a U.S. Marshal being brutally whipped by outlaws while the town’s inhabitants looked on impassively.

Initially, unlike typical Westerns, “The Stranger” portrays its title character as a murderer and rapist from the get-go. Yet, that’s not the sole reason this Clint Eastwood Western flick isn’t ideal for novices to the genre. By the finale, the movie subtly suggests The Stranger might not be human at all – perhaps a ghost of a U.S. Marshal granted a physical form to exact vengeance. With its supernatural twist, this Western is definitely an obscure one, appealing only to those who are already well-versed in the genre.

Why High Plains Drifter Is Still A Classic Clint Eastwood Movie

Clint Eastwood Even Made A Spiritual Successor

Although it’s not ideal for beginners in Western genre to start with “High Plains Drifter”, it’s still a film that everyone should watch at least once. The movie does open with some unsettling scenes, and the protagonist, The Stranger, isn’t exactly a hero. However, The Stranger embodies a classic Clint Eastwood character, much like The Man With No Name, and could even surpass him in terms of depth within this story. Just like other enigmatic characters from films such as “Fistful of Dollars” to the Japanese classics like “Yojimbo”, The Stranger is simply more ruthless.

The film “High Plains Drifter” leaves the identity of the enigmatic character, The Stranger, unclear, which adds to its intrigue. Some viewers believe his revelation in the final scene implies he is the ghost of U.S. Marshal Jim Duncan. This theory aligns with The Stranger’s wrath and vengeance towards the townspeople, as they had betrayed and killed Duncan. Notably, a later film, “Pale Rider,” also features a supernatural Western hero, played by Clint Eastwood himself, who admittedly was a ghost. Despite its eerie overtones and brutal themes, “High Plains Drifter” remains one of the most outstanding and gloomy Western films produced in the 1970s.

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2025-06-01 23:48