The film of the week this time is HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068699/

High Plains drifter is a very dark western. Much darker than most before it. I think it is one of Clint Eastwood's best westerns, but it doesn't seem to get the appreciation of his other more popular films like Unforgiven. When it came out it was critisized by John Wayne who said that "the townspeople did not represent the true spirit of the American pioneer, the spirit that made America great" which to me is a bit of a dumb statement of his. That's why I respect Eastwood more than Wayne. His westerns tend to have a bit more depth than Wayne's. Anyway though, back to the film. The story in Drifter sounds a bit generic at first since it is the typical western setup of a stranger arriving in a town who is soon hired to protect it.

What makes this film stand out is how the people in the town are not good people. They are hiding a grim secret that you find out later. Eastwood's character does some pretty messed up stuff later on too. The film also has some really great atmosphere with the constant feeling of dread mixed with the music. I highly recommend this if you like westerns. It's not a typical one, but it's one of the best of the 70's. It's a shame that not many people seem to know about it. Eastwood also directed it and even know he is clearly influenced by others like Don Siegal, and John Ford he manages to establish his own look and feel without ripping off those who influenced them.