Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970)

Nun Sara (Shirley MacLaine) is on the run in Mexico and is saved from cowboys by Hogan (Clint Eastwood), who is preparing for a future mission to capture a French fort. The pair become good friends, but Sara never does tell him the true reason behind her being outlawed.

Director:

Don Siegel

Writers:

Budd Boetticher (story), Albert Maltz (screenplay)

Stars:

Clint Eastwood, Shirley MacLaine, Manolo Fábregas

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shirley MacLaine	...	Sara
Clint Eastwood	...	Hogan
Manolo Fábregas	...	Colonel Beltran (as Manolo Fabregas)
Alberto Morin	...	General LeClaire
Armando Silvestre	...	1st American
John Kelly	...	2nd American
David Povall	...	Juan (as David Estuardo)
Ada Carrasco	...	Juan's Mother
Pancho Córdova	...	Juan's Father (as Poncho Cordoba)
José Chávez	...	Horacio (as Jose Chavez)
Pedro Galván	...	(as Pedro Galvan)
José Ángel Espinosa 'Ferrusquilla'	...	(as Jose Angel Espinosa)
Enrique Lucero	...	3rd American
Aurora Muñoz	...	Sara's Friend
Xavier Marc	...	Yaqui Chief

Storyline

Set in Mexico, nun Sister Sara (Shirley MacLaine) is rescued from three cowboys by Hogan (Clint Eastwood), who is on his way to do some reconnaissance for a future mission to capture a French fort. The French are chasing Sara, but not for the reasons she tells Hogan, so he decides to help her in return for information about the fort defenses. Inevitably, the two become good friends, but Sara has a secret.

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Plot Keywords:

nun | mexico | franco mexican war | 1860s | man with no name | 

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Taglines:

CLINT EASTWOOD...the deadliest man alive...takes on a whole army with two guns and a fistful of dynamite!

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Genres:

Adventure | Romance | War | Western

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Certificate:

GP

Did You Know?

Trivia

During a Q&A at the TCM Film Fest in 2015, Shirley Maclaine had this to say about Clint Eastwood: "Quite brilliant, and funny, because he's so laconic and doesn't know it. I adore him. I remember when we were doing Two Mules for Sister Sara, his horse was acting up. This is when I knew he's a true Republican. He got off the horse, looked at the horse, and socked him."

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Goofs

In a brief scene, when Hogan and the guerrillas enter a church, there is a view of the cloister and altar from above, possibly the choir veranda. The movable altar is seen between the main altar and the benches, but that sort of altar was not in use before 1965, when christian communities installed that so that the priest could celebrate the Mass looking at the people.

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Quotes

[first lines]
One of Sara's molesters: Look at that! Look at it!

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Alternate Versions

A 2020 BluRay edition includes both the 113:32 international cut as well as a 104:40 US domestic cut

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Connections

Featured in Stars of the Silver Screen: Shirley MacLaine (2016)

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Soundtracks

Sam Hall
(uncredited)
Traditional
Performed by Clint Eastwood
Sung by Hogan when the arrow is removed

User Reviews

What a good movie!

It was a different kind of western with a surprising ending. Clint Eastwood and Shirley McClaine had great chemistry and gave great performances; especially Clint Eastwood. It was fun to watch with a good story line. Very entertaining!

Details

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English Spanish French Latin

Release Date:

16 June 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Two Mules for Sister Sara

Filming Locations:

Bavispe, Sonora, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$5,050,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,050,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, The Malpaso Company, Martin Rackin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1