Sergio Leone's “Dollars Trilogy."

“A Fistful of Dollars” (1964, Tubi) spaghetti Western film, about an unnamed stranger who arrives at the little town of San Miguel, on the Mexico–United States border. That dude would be Clint Eastwood, wearing a poncho, is the dude with no name. Kickass!

       The first in Sergio Leone's “Dollars Trilogy,” this cowboy strutter has been identified as an unofficial remake of the Akira Kurosawa 1961 samurai film “Yojimbo,” which resulted in a successful lawsuit by Toho, Yojimbo's production company. For me, it doesn't really matter although I also saw the Kurosawa classic.

       As a boy to my teenage years (maybe up to now) I was hooked to spaghetti western and cowboy showtime such as Django, My Name is Nobody, Once Upon a Time in the West, The Magnificent Seven, Navajo Joe, The Wild Bunch, Sabata, and many more, including the comedy westerns by Bud Spencer and Terence Hill. And, of course, the parts 2 and 3 of the dollars trilogy, “For a Few Dollars More” and “The Good, the Bed and the Ugly.” Remember, Clint Eastwood had lots of those, too.

       There's really not much acting here. Nary a cinematic value that'd gain an Oscar or whatever. Just silliness of smirking gunslingers, grinning villains, pouting leading ladies, and macho horses. I loved it! 🎥💻📽

“For a Few Dollars More” (1965, Tubi) Spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone, stars Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef as bounty hunters, with German actor Klaus Kinski in supporting role as a secondary villain. The film was the second installment of what is commonly known as the “Dollars Trilogy.” 

       As expected, there are a lot of staring and close-ups of sweaty faces. And striking matches, on anything, to light a cigarette (placed between Clint’s thin lips, dangling). Of course, Mr Eastwood’ famous squint: He narrows his eyes, which critics say, to convey seduction, intimidation, mystery and more. Uh huh. 

       Plot: The man that many call Manco is a bounty hunter, a profession shared by a former army officer, Colonel Douglas Mortimer (Mr Van Cleef). They separately learn that a ruthless, cold-blooded bank robber, "El Indio,” has been broken out of prison by his gang, who slaughtered all but one of his jailers.

       So let’s go and ride at dawn to the kickass musical score by Ennio Morricone!  🎥💻📽

“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” (1966, Tubi) epic spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone. Final installment in the Dollars Trilogy, following “A Fistful of Dollars” (1964) and “For a Few Dollars More” (1965). Clint Eastwood as "the Good,” Lee Van Cleef is "the Bad,” and Eli Wallach as "the Ugly.”

       In those days, the sweeping widescreen cinematography, credited to Tonino Delli Colli, was enthralling already, especially as Ennio Morricone’s gallant score envelopes them. Then comes the stylized gunfights. That’s it.  

       The plot revolves around three gunslingers competing to find a fortune in a buried cache of Confederate gold amid the violent chaos of the American Civil War (specifically the Battle of Glorieta Pass of the New Mexico Campaign in 1862) while participating in many battles, confrontations, and duels along the way. And lots of sinister half-laughter and broken windows.

       But I must say this final installment in the trilogy is much better with a more compelling storyline and dramatic interlude. 🎥💻📽