A Fistful Of Dollars (1964) ****

A Fistful Of Dollars (1964) is another western based on a Kurosawa film (much like The Magnificent Seven four years earlier)—in this case Yojimbo (1961)—itself influenced by westerns (John Ford in particular). This one is great, but can't top the source. Sergio Leone made a bang with his second film, but would certainly hone and improve his style across his remaining five films (not including films for which he did not receive a directing credit).

This is also the film that propelled Ennio Morricone into the spotlight as an in-demand composer of Italian films (particularly the yet to be dubbed "Spaghetti Western," which this film, for better or worse, helped launch). His score is unique, memorable and perfectly compliments Leone's style.

The first film in the Dollars Trilogy (I prefer to refer to the films this way, as opposed to the Man With No Name Trilogy, as Clint Eastwood’s character is called Joe here) is my least favorite, but is thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless.

Clint Eastwood's