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"As you're aware, when two hunters go after the same prey they usually end up shooting each other in the back. And we don't want to shoot each other in the back."

1965 R / Western Action Directed by: Sergio Leone Starring: Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Gian Maria Volontč

Tagline

The Man with No Name is back... The Man in Black is waiting... a walking arsenal - he uncoils, strikes and kills!

Summary Capsule

Assuming that tagline is correct, apparently Clint Eastwood fights Johnny Cash. Should be fun.

Mutant Meter

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Amazon.com: DVD | Amazon.com: Soundtrack

Drew's Rating: Eastwood versus John Wayne in a poetry contest… who ya got?

Drew's Review: When it comes to movie franchises, the first film in the series is usually the best -- Rocky, Jurassic Park, The Matrix. In certain rare cases, a sequel comes along that arguably tops the original: X-Men 2, The Empire Strikes Back, The Godfather Part II. But realistically, how often is the third entry in a series the best of the bunch? Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade can maybe make a case for it, but the only indisputable example I know of is The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. It's the pinnacle of Sergio Leone's "Dollars" trilogy, while A Fistful of Dollars is well known for first introducing the Man with No Name, and for being adapted from an earlier samurai movie. But in the midst of that, the middle child of the family, For A Few Dollars More, is often forgotten. It shouldn't be.

"No, it isn't the best of the series… but then, it's a very strong series."

El Indio (Gian Maria Volente) is one bad, bad dude, leader of a gang of bandits who have just secured his, ah, "early release" from prison. After tracking down the guy who put him away and giving the poor bastard a stern but fair talking-to (I'm kidding, he totally kills his ass), Indio outlines his plan: robbing the Bank of El Paso and stealing a particular safe containing [Dr. Evil]one million dollars![/Dr. Evil] Alas, an honest thief just can't catch a break, as unbeknownst to Indio, Colonel Mortimer (Lee Van Cleef) and the infamous Man with No Name (Clint Eastwood) are both on his trail. Of course, it's always possible the two merciless bounty hunters will take each other out of the game; but when they instead team up and the Man infiltrates the bandit gang, can any force on earth save El Indio? And just what is Mortimer's personal stake in this quarry? Things are looking grim for Indio; but then, he's no mean draw himself, and with 13 of his friends backing him up, things just might get interesting…

Stylistically, For A Few Dollars More closely resembles its predecessor, as Leone continues to develop as a director and take chances with wide shots and unconventional angles. Composer Ennio Morricone is clearly growing in confidence as well with a bolder score that, it's fun to realize, contains elements of what will become the infamous theme for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. As for the acting, it's a little hard to grade that level of stoicism ("Okay, now in this scene, I want you to look like you haven't had any fiber in days. Yes, good. And try to squint."), but Van Cleef has the right mix of haughtiness and slight amusement at the antics of everyone who isn't him. Volente gives El Indio a shade more depth than the villains from Fistful, and Eastwood is… well, Eastwood. That is to say, he's the most self-assured, aloof individual in nearly any situation. Mildly interesting to note is that the Man with No Name is kind of a jerk this time around, displaying neither the sense of justice from Fistful nor the compassion of Ugly.

Not to skimp on the review, but there's little else to add that hasn't been said about the other two films in the trilogy. It's a rougher, grittier style of western with greater realism and more morally ambiguous "good" guys than audiences had seen before. Few doesn't have quite as many good lines as its predecessor (or sequel), and Clint has to share the spotlight with Van Cleef's more developed character, but it's still full of wry, subdued humor, tight editing, and excellent performances. No, it isn't the best of the series… but then, it's a very strong series.

Remember kids, smoking is bad. Unless you're Clint Eastwood. Little-known fact: before deciding on human actors, Leone entertained the notion of shooting his sequel with Legos. "What is it with men and guns?" "Well I think I speak for the both of us when I say, because they're metal penises."

Didja Notice? [some sources: IMDb]

• The "Man with No Name" actually goes by a different one in each film. This time it's Monco, which is Spanish for "one handed" or "one armed." Throughout the movie, Eastwood performs nearly all actions with his left hand, keeping the right always on the grip of his pistol.
• When Mortimer takes down the "Wanted" poster from the train station, Guy Callaway has added 2 zeroes to the reward money being offered for him. When Mortimer slips the poster under Callaway's door, the extra zeroes are missing.
• Also, Callaway looks nothing like his poster. Where'd the 'stache go?
• In the climax of A Fistful of Dollars, the Man with No Name's poncho was pierced by several bullets. In the sequel, he wears it backwards and the mended bullet holes can be clearly seen at times over his shoulder.
• I think you should always be able to walk into a hotel, cross out the name of whoever has the best room, say "It's free now," kick the dude out, and then give him back his pants like you're doing him a big favor.
• Famed German actor Klaus Kinski plays the hunchback member of El Indio's gang.
• It's weird how Eastwood and Van Cleef's characters are referred to as "bounty killers" instead of "bounty hunters."
• The final showdown is stylistically similar to (though not quite as cool as) the climax of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Is It Worth Staying Through End Credits?

You really can't, so don't worry about it.

Intermission! [some sources: IMDb]

In real life, Lee Van Cleef bragged about being faster on the draw than Clint Eastwood, claiming he could draw, cock, and fire in .125 of a second, while it took Eastwood .45 of a second.

Groovy Quotes

Red: Didn't hear what the bet was.
Mw/NN: Your life.

Innkeeper: He's nothing but a wild, vicious animal!
His wife [digging Clint's vibe]: He's tall, isn't he?
Innkeeper: You're just dirty!

Bank Manager: The truth is, Mr. Mortimer, to try robbing us would be so futile that only a complete fool would attempt it.
Mortimer: Yeah. Or a complete madman.

Mortimer: As you're aware, when two hunters go after the same prey they usually end up shooting each other in the back. And we don't want to shoot each other in the back.

Mw/NN: Tell me, Colonel, how do you propose that I join up with Indio? Maybe bring him a bunch of roses?

Mw/NN: Tell me, Colonel, were you ever young?
Mortimer: Yeah. And just as reckless as you. Then one day, something happened. Made life very precious to me.
Mw/NN: What's that? Or is the question indiscreet?
Mortimer: No, the question isn't indiscreet, but the answer might be.

Mw/NN: Ten thousand, twelve thousand, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, twenty-two… twenty-two. [Turns, shoots final bandit] Twenty-seven.
Mortimer: Any trouble, boy?
Mw/NN: No, old man. Thought I was having trouble with my adding. It's all right now.

DVD Review

Mine's pretty sparse, with nothing but a short informational booklet and the theatrical trailer, plus really scratchy picture quality. There's now a collector's edition out, completely remastered with deleted scenes, documentaries, an audio commentary, an interview with Clint Eastwood, and more.

Soundtrack Review

As described earlier, Morricone gets more experimental this time around, bringing in the woodwinds and heavy drums that would come to be synonymous with the final film in the series. At times you almost imagine it's about to break into those familiar Ugly strains, but it never quite does. Still good, though, and the music that accompanies El Indio's drug-induced hallucinations is quite haunting.

If you liked this movie, try these:

• Unforgiven
• A Fistful of Dollars
• The Good, the Bad and the Ugly