FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE (Theatrical Release USA 1967)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

For a Few Dollars More—the movie that follows the release of A Fistful of Dollars—keeps intact the iconic creation of the poncho-wearing, bandit killing, cigarillo smoking, squint-eyed main character with no name that defines the series. The film easily moves into the center ring with the best of the best of western movies. While many western movies perform in the B-grade class, this film moves the genre up a notch, keeps interest, and moves from event to event smoothly with its teaming of Lee Van Cleef with Eastwood, an unbeatable casting choice that works just as well in the last film of the trilogy, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1967). All three films are classic westerns that should be a permanent part of the western film fan’s permanent home library collection. It’s worth a re-watch. Sergio Leone does it again. Great work by all involved.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Two bounty hunters, Monco (Clint Eastwood) and Colonel Douglas Mortimer (Lee Van Cleef), target the same bounty fee on El Indio (Gian Maria Volontè).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sergio Leone for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Alfredo Fraile and Producers Arturo Gonzalez and Alberto Grimaldi for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Nino (Mario Brega), Groggy (Luigi Pistilli), Cuchillio (Aldo Sambrell), Juan Wild (Klaus Kinski), Luke ‘Hughie’ (Benito Stefanelli), Manuel (Luis Rodríguez), Sancho Perez (Panos Papadopulos), Mary (Mara Krupp), Tucumcari Station Clerk (Roberto Camardiel), Old Prophet (Joseph Egger), Tucumcari Sheriff (Tomás Blanco), Tomaso (Lorenzo Robledo), Tucumcari Bank Manager (Sergio Mendizábal), Carpenter in Cell (Dante Maggio), and Callaway’s Girl (Diana Rabito).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Unbeatable viewing for the western movie fan; definitely worth the watch for its fresh, stylistic approach to western stories as Sergio Leone interprets the genre. Great work by all involved.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers