High Plains Drifter

Play trailer

High Plains Drifter

R

1973

1h 45m

Western

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

33 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In this Western, a drifter with no name wanders into a small town, where his gun-slinging abilities are in high demand. When the drifter rides into Lago, he is met with incredulity and disapproval by the townspeople. But once he shows his skills with a pistol, the locals realize he may be able to help them fend off a band of criminals who have been terrorizing the town. He agrees to help the townspeople, but does so with his own secret agenda.

Critics Consensus

Clint Eastwood's sophomore outing as director sees him back in the saddle as a mysterious stranger, and the result is one of his most memorable Westerns.

Read Critics Reviews

Perry Stewart

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

06/14/2022

The difference between this and all those “Dollars” pictures is that Clint has gone and refined the art of steel-eyed enigma. Eastwood directed this one himself and, like his earlier Play Misty for Me, it shows he has some savvy behind the camera.

Go to Full Review

Noel Murray

The Dissolve

10/28/2013

4/5

Eastwood holds fast to the rebel spirit of the spaghetti Westerns and revisionist "New Hollywood" Westerns of the previous decade, but packages it in a film that's slicker and more mainstream-friendly.

Go to Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

10/26/2008

As a director, Eastwood is not as good as he seems to think he is. As an actor, he is probably better than he allows himself to be.

Go to Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Apr 25

1.5/4

...a well-worn yet promising setup that is, for the most part, employed to uninvolving and rather tiresome effect by Eastwood...

Go to Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

04/05/2023

4/5

In High Plains Drifter, Clint Eastwood already shows off his promising talents as a filmmaker in only his second directing gig.

Go to Full Review

Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

02/11/2023

2.5/4

A nasty, eerie Clint Eastwood Western...

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Blake- N

@PBSAniDom Apr 19

High Plains Drifter is the best western movie in my opinion, and it stands out because it is so harsh, dark, and violent compared to a lot of other films in the genre. Clint Eastwood is terrific in the lead role, bringing a cold, mysterious presence that fits the film perfectly. The atmosphere is eerie and tense, and the small town setting gives the whole movie a strange, unforgettable feeling. What really makes it work is how it mixes classic western style with brutal violence and moral darkness. Nothing here feels clean or heroic in a traditional way, and that is what makes it so powerful. The action is brutal, the characters are flawed, and the story keeps you hooked from start to finish. Overall, High Plains Drifter is a bold, memorable, and exciting western that deserves a 10/10.

See more

Scott M

@RT75128960 Feb 20

Clever movie about a town of cowards who have a horrible secret. Really well made. Eastwood plays the man with no name again and is great. But its really his direction that is what I loved. All of the characters have memorable parts. Even the town tart.

See more

Per S

@RT83737705 Jan 16

High Plains Drifter is a different and obviously still controversial western with Clint Eastwood directing Clint Eastwood, the edgeless people of a high plains village, and the continuous myth about the Man With No Name, which probably would have been a better title.

See more

Rob H

@Devilsmetsjets Dec 29

Clint Eastwood is amazing!

See more

razvan p

@n1mr0d Dec 24

cool built, and non explanatory. the romance was gratuitous. best cut out.. can see a great remake for it

See more

Daniel C

@RT79233068 Dec 7

One of the best films of all time especially given it's age. I like most of Clint Eastwood's western films but this one is in the top 3. Mysterious stranger turns up at Lago to the dismay of the Town's people but why is he there? Revenge movie with an eerie atmosphere but it does have some comic moments too.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Clint Eastwood

Director

Clint Eastwood

The Stranger

Verna Bloom

Sarah Belding

Marianna Hill

Callie Travers

Mitch Ryan

Dave Drake

Jack Ging

Morgan Allen

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Whipped to Death

2:15

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Whipping the Outlaw

2:22

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Blowing Up The Hotel

1:45

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - The Sheriff and the Mayor

2:44

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Shave and a Shootout

2:52

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Shooting Up Hell

1:57

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Killing the Outlaws

3:05

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - Target Practice

2:47

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - He Shot My Ear Off!

3:17

High Plains Drifter: Official Clip - The Stranger Rides Away

2:30

View more videos

Ulzana's Raid

90%

65%

Ulzana's Raid

Watchlist

The Hired Hand

81%

75%

The Hired Hand

Watchlist

Pale Rider

94%

83%

Pale Rider

Watchlist

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

97%

97%

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

In this Western, a drifter with no name wanders into a small town, where his gun-slinging abilities are in high demand. When the drifter rides into Lago, he is met with incredulity and disapproval by the townspeople. But once he shows his skills with a pistol, the locals realize he may be able to help them fend off a band of criminals who have been terrorizing the town. He agrees to help the townspeople, but does so with his own secret agenda.

Director: Clint Eastwood
Producer: Robert Daley
Screenwriter: Ernest Tidyman
Production Co: Universal Pictures, The Malpaso Company
Rating: R
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 19, 1973, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2015
Runtime: 1h 45m