The film was directed by Sergio Leone and based off “Yojimbo” by Akira Kurosawa and Ryuzo Kikushima.
“The Man With No Name” (Clint Eastwood) takes advantage of a smuggling war in the Mexico-United States border town of San Miguel between the Baxters and Rojo Brothers to make some money.
SPOILERS ahead
The Pros:
The Cinematography – This film was made with $200,000 dollars and it looks amazing. Massimo Dallamano’s cinematography captures tension really well in standoffs and Leone is fantastic and keeping the focus on “The Man With No Name” as he passes between the different camps.
The Soundtrack – Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack is iconic and does such a great job capturing the adventure and feel to the characters and film. I love how gunshots and chants are mixed in so well with the instruments. I shall definitely be listening to this soundtrack again.
The Action – Sergio Leone does action really well. Every shootout in this had clear geography on where it was taking place and the characters taking part in it so they all had stakes. It really made me excited for the action in the rest of the “Dollars Trilogy.”
The Rojo Brothers – The Rojo Brothers aren’t as good as Ushitora’s faction in “Yojimbo” as none of their men are as distinct as Ushitora’s men and or his brothers. Ramón is meant as the Unosuke connection but isn’t scary like him though he does at least carry threat with his winchester rifle. Don Miguel is also clever enough to figure out that “The Man With No Name” saved Marisol. So they work as a threat even if none of them are as distinct, developed or interesting as Ushitora’s faction in “Yojimbo.” Their defeat is still great and they are the greater threat from the beginning setting danger for “The Man With No Name” working with them.
“The Man With No Name” – Unlike Mifune’s wandering ronin who has a past we never learn about so is defined by his protecting of the innocent and others Eastwood’s “Man With No Name” is inspired by the death of a woman in his past, which he tells Marisol after he rescues her and gives them the Rojo Brother gold to start their own life. He is also much more mercenary than Mifune’s wandering ronin as Mifune’s ronin always gives away the money he owns where “The Man With No Name” keeps his, showing that he isn’t entirely a good guy as he still plays both factions. I also like how after he escapes Rojo imprisonment with help of the coffin maker he makes body armor in a mine to get around the winchester rifle and to defeat the Rojo brothers and their men.
Okay:
The Baxters – The Baxter’s are Seibei’s faction from “Yojimbo” with the matriarch ruling and there being a father and son. In this case Mr. Baxter is also the sheriff but doesn’t do anything and they never seemed to be a threat to the Rojo Brothers. We see them fight at one point but never any of their power or threat or even how bad they really are. We got to see how cruel Seibei’s family was and their disregard for life in how they treated others. With the Baxters we don’t really get that and they should have been built up better. Still are okay though as all the performances work.
The Cons:
Derivative Scenes and Shots – So much is taken from “Yojimbo” and it is sad. The burning of the Baxter home and “The Man With No Name” watching from a coffin, the kidnapping of the Baxter son, and the alliance with the tavern keeper and coffin maker as allies in the conflict. Some were just there because “Yojimbo” did it and not done as well as they only seemed to exist because of the core source material.
Lack of Economy – Part of what made “Yojimbo” work was the competing economies of the Sake Maker and Silk Merchant who both claimed ownership as mayor. They funded the crime gangs and it was the destruction of their economies that came right before their own destructions. It was a powerful detail that this film completely lacks. There is no economy, just gold randomly passing through.
This is a good film that I recommend, just know if you haven’t watched “Yojimbo” you should see that first. It is the better film and tells this story better. I do still recommend this film though as the action and cinematography are beautiful and I’m looking forward to where “The Man With No Name’s” story goes from here as it has been a very long time since I saw the “Dollars Trilogy.”
Final Score: 8.6 / 10
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