1972
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Is it too much to ask to have a movie that doesn't involve some sort of horrific rape scene? Apparently so in the seventies.
A stranger rides into town, kills some people, and rapes a woman. Evidently impressed, the townsfolk ask the stranger to protect them against gunmen that they believe are going to attack the town for revenge. The stranger agrees, as long as he can have access to all the goods and services the town has to offer for free and can make absurd decorating choices for absolutely no reason whatsoever (see above picture).
I have absolutely no idea what the point of this film was. On the one hand, we are obviously supposed to think he is heroic. He saves a town and gives to Native American children. On the other hand, he is a goddamn rapist. I think the only reason the rape was put in the film was to show that he was flawed. I am sorry, but that is completely absurd.
Seriously, wake me up when the seventies end.
RATING: *----
Interesting Facts:
Eastwood wrote to John Wayne, asking him to make a western together. Wayne wrote back an angry reply, denouncing this film for its violence. Do I actually agree with John Wayne on something?
OK, a slighty less agree, but still decidedly leaning towards you on this one.
ReplyDeleteYes, unececarly violent and brutal..and not an enjoyable watch by any means, but not a hated it.. Missable is as far as i'd go.
As a person who loves Westerns, I am used to absurdity but this movie was not good. That's it. And the rape thing...just STOP IT!
ReplyDeleteWhat was the point of painting the town red? Glad we at least agree that this is not a "must see".
ReplyDeleteAmanda.. It's bee a while since I saw this .. but I seem to recall thinking that the 'paint the town red' thing, was him sending the town to hell, it a visual manner..
ReplyDeleteWell, I am going to disagree big time on this one. To me this made quite a lot of sense. We do not need to know exactly who the stranger is, but that he is vengeance, come to demand payment for the crime the townsfolk did to the former marshal. According to early seventies activist morality standing back and doing nothing is as much a crime as actually perpetrating it and in this they are all guilty. The stranger has almost superpowers because he is almost super natural. the villagers fate is unavoidable and they will be hurt on what they value the most, money, pride, virginity etc.
ReplyDeleteAlso this is iconic Clint Eastwood.