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    High Plains Drifter

    • 19731973
    • RR
    • 1h 45min
    IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    51K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,158
    1,673
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter (1973)
    Trailer for High Plains Drifter
    Trailer0:44
    1 Video
    96 Photos
    DramaMysteryWestern

    A gun-fighting stranger comes to the small settlement of Lago and is hired to bring the townsfolk together in an attempt to hold off three outlaws who are on their way.A gun-fighting stranger comes to the small settlement of Lago and is hired to bring the townsfolk together in an attempt to hold off three outlaws who are on their way.A gun-fighting stranger comes to the small settlement of Lago and is hired to bring the townsfolk together in an attempt to hold off three outlaws who are on their way.A gun-fighting stranger comes to the small settlement of Lago and is hired to bring the townsfolk together in an attempt to hold off three outlaws who are on their way.A gun-fighting stranger comes to the small settlement of Lago and is hired to bring the townsfolk together in an attempt to hold off three outlaws who are on their way.

    • Director
      • Clint Eastwood
    • Writers
      • Ernest Tidyman
      • Dean Riesner(uncredited)
    • Stars
      • Clint Eastwood
      • Verna Bloom
      • Marianna Hill
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Clint Eastwood
    • Writers
      • Ernest Tidyman
      • Dean Riesner(uncredited)
    • Stars
      • Clint Eastwood
      • Verna Bloom
      • Marianna Hill
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 218User reviews
    • 100Critic reviews
    • 69Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Videos1

    High Plains Drifter
    Trailer 0:44
    High Plains Drifter

    Photos96

    Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter (1973)
    Walter Barnes and Marianna Hill in High Plains Drifter (1973)
    Verna Bloom in High Plains Drifter (1973)
    Marianna Hill in High Plains Drifter (1973)
    Verna Bloom in High Plains Drifter (1973)
    Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter (1973)
    Clint Eastwood and Billy Curtis in High Plains Drifter (1973)
    Clint Eastwood and Billy Curtis in High Plains Drifter (1973)
    Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter (1973)
    Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter (1973)
    "High Plains Drifter" Clint Eastwood 1973 Universal
    Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter (1973)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Clint Eastwood
    Clint Eastwood
    • The Strangeras The Stranger
    Verna Bloom
    Verna Bloom
    • Sarah Beldingas Sarah Belding
    Marianna Hill
    Marianna Hill
    • Callie Traversas Callie Travers
    Mitchell Ryan
    Mitchell Ryan
    • Dave Drakeas Dave Drake
    Jack Ging
    Jack Ging
    • Morgan Allenas Morgan Allen
    Stefan Gierasch
    Stefan Gierasch
    • Mayor Jason Hobartas Mayor Jason Hobart
    Ted Hartley
    Ted Hartley
    • Lewis Beldingas Lewis Belding
    Billy Curtis
    Billy Curtis
    • Mordecaias Mordecai
    Geoffrey Lewis
    Geoffrey Lewis
    • Stacey Bridgesas Stacey Bridges
    Scott Walker
    Scott Walker
    • Bill Bordersas Bill Borders
    Walter Barnes
    Walter Barnes
    • Sheriff Sam Shawas Sheriff Sam Shaw
    Paul Brinegar
    Paul Brinegar
    • Lutie Nayloras Lutie Naylor
    Richard Bull
    Richard Bull
    • Asa Goodwinas Asa Goodwin
    Robert Donner
    Robert Donner
    • Preacheras Preacher
    John Hillerman
    John Hillerman
    • Bootmakeras Bootmaker
    Anthony James
    Anthony James
    • Cole Carlinas Cole Carlin
    William O'Connell
    William O'Connell
    • Barberas Barber
    John Quade
    John Quade
    • Jake Rossas Jake Ross
    • Director
      • Clint Eastwood
    • Writers
      • Ernest Tidyman
      • Dean Riesner(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A Stranger (Clint Eastwood) rides into in the dusty mining town of Lago, where the townspeople are living in the shadow of a dark secret. After a shoot-out leaves the town's hired-gun protectors dead, the town's leaders petition the Stranger to stay and protect them from three ruthless outlaws who are soon to be released from prison. The three have their sights set on returning to Lago to wreak havoc and take care of some unfinished business. A series of events soon has the townspeople questioning whether siding with the Stranger was a wise idea, as they quickly learn the price that they each must pay for his services. As the outlaws make their way back into Lago, they discover that the town is not exactly as they had left it, and waiting in the shadows is the Stranger, ready to expose the town's secret and serve up his own brand of justice. —bob-oconnor1964
    anti herorevisionist westernoutlawrevengerape262 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Welcome to Hell
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Western
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Shortly after this movie's release, Clint Eastwood wrote to John Wayne, suggesting that they make a western together. Wayne sent back an angry letter in reply, in which he denounced this movie for its violence and revisionist portrayal of the Old West. Eastwood did not bother to answer his criticisms, and consequently they did not work together.
    • Goofs
      When the Stranger is first sipping his beer at the saloon, the bottle of whiskey is placed on the bar to the left of his glass of beer. When he reaches for his beer while saying the line "Faster than you'll ever live to be" to the one gunfighter, the bottle of whiskey "jumps" to the right of his glass of beer so he can pretend to draw his gun yet reach for the bottle of whiskey instead.
    • Quotes

      Sarah Belding: Be careful. You're a man who makes people afraid, and that's dangerous.

      The Stranger: It's what people know about themselves inside that makes 'em afraid.

    • Crazy credits
      The closing shot of The Stranger disappearing into the heatwaves plays out over the end credits.
    • Alternate versions
      When originally released theatrically in the UK, the BBFC made cuts to secure an 'X' rating. All cuts were waived in 1987 when the film was granted an '18' certificate for home video.
    • Connections
      Featured in Earthquake (1974)

    User reviews218

    Review
    Top review
    An entertaining and well thought out western
    I really had no idea what to expect when I grabbed High Plains Drifter from the video store shelf. I recently saw The Outlaw Josey Wales, and really enjoying that film, I figured I couldn't go wrong; I was right. High Plains Drifter is more than just another western with the standard assortment of gun fights, bar scenes, and shots of horseback riding on wide-open prairie. To be sure, it does have its share of the said events, it is a western after all, but what I particularly liked was the film's character development and well thought out story.

    I don't want to ruin any of the film's enjoyment for any potential viewers, so I won't go into describing any of the characters. Suffice it to say though that they all have a very realistic quality to them, especially Clint Eastwood's character. No stereotyped good guys/bad guys here, thank you very much.

    As I mentioned, the story is also very nicely developed. It has multiple layers which are peeled away as the movie progresses, remaining entertained throughout.

    High Plains Drifter is an excellent western. If you're a fan of the genre, you'll no doubt find it to be an entertaining watch.
    helpful•75
    27
    • Plaided
    • Apr 9, 2000

    FAQ8

    • It seems the residents are the only ones in town. How do the stores make any money if strangers keep getting driven out?
    • What is 'High Plains Drifter' about?
    • Is 'High Plains Drifter' based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 7, 1973 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ein Fremder ohne Namen
    • Filming locations
      • Mono Lake, California, USA
    • Production company
      • The Malpaso Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $15,700,000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $15,706,540
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 45min
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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