Friday, November 29, 2019

For a Few Dollars More (1965): Sergio Leone, Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef


     After completing principle production on A Fistful of Dollars (1964), Italian director Sergio Leone was eager to start filming a follow-up to kickstart his new stylized brand of Western films (now commonly referred to as "Spaghetti Westerns"). He wanted Clint Eastwood to return for the next film, as he was very happy with Eastwood's performance in the first. Eastwood would not immediately consent to a second role, however, as he had yet to see a rough cut of his work in the first film. Leone sent him an Italian language print (the English version had not been made yet, as Leone's films were shot silent, then recorded dialogue was added later) and Eastwood was so elated, even without understanding the words, that he agreed to work for Leone again. Eastwood required a heftier than usual salary, though, which cut into Leone's limited budget. Thankfully veteran Western villain actor, Lee Van Cleef signed on for a modest sum. The resulting film, For a Few Dollars More (1965) expanded on Eastwood's "Man with No Name" character and proved to be a defining film, the second in a trilogy. 
     The "Man with No Name" (Clint Eastwood) is back, now working as a bounty hunter, prowling the West and killing crooks (never taking them alive), and collecting reward money... 

For a Few Dollars More. 1965: Clint Eastwood

     He is not the sole practitioner of this profession in the Territory, however. Colonel Douglas Mortimer (Lee Van Cleef) makes his living tracking down and killing bad guys as well... 

For a Few Dollars More. 1965

     When they find themselves in pursuit of the same outlaw, El Indio (Gian Maria Volonte), they are placed at an impasse and decide to join forces... 

For a Few Dollars More. 1965: Clint Eastwood

     Killing El Indio and his 14 cohorts must become a team effort... 

For a Few Dollars More. 1965: Clint Eastwood

     Their prospective financial prize changes, however, when El Indio and his gang rob a bank in El Paso...

For a Few Dollars More. 1965: Clint Eastwood

     But one of the bounty hunters may have ulterior motives, beyond reward money, is desiring El Indio dead...

For a Few Dollars More. 1965: Clint Eastwood