Welcome to The Best Movies I’ve Never Seen! This is the part of the blog where I work my way through 100 films I’ve never seen that are generally considered to be great. You’re invited to watch along with me if you can find a copy or find it streaming. So grab some popcorn and let’s get started!

For a Few Dollars More

1965

Directed by Sergio Leone

In the blistering heat of the Wild West, where dust devils dance and men’s lives are valued in dollars, Sergio Leone’s For a Few Dollars More emerges like a vulture circling a dying town. It’s the second installment in the legendary “Dollars Trilogy,” and it’s nothing short of a cinematic treasure. Clint Eastwood, as the iconic Man with No Name, teams up with the formidable Lee Van Cleef to hunt down an elusive Mexican outlaw, and what unfolds is a gripping tale of vengeance, greed, and moral ambiguity.

Leone’s direction is a symphony of visuals and sound that demands attention from the first frame. The expansive, arid landscapes of Almería, Spain, are characters in their own right, their harsh beauty serving as a stark backdrop to the human drama that unfolds. The film’s haunting Ennio Morricone score, with its twanging guitars and piercing whistles, is instantly recognizable and elevates every scene to iconic status.

Clint Eastwood reprises his role as the enigmatic bounty hunter, and with his iconic squint and stoic demeanor, he embodies the essence of the Wild West anti-hero. Lee Van Cleef, as Colonel Mortimer, is a revelation. His gravitas and cold, calculating presence make him a formidable foil to Eastwood’s more laid-back Man with No Name. Their dynamic is magnetic, shifting between camaraderie and rivalry with the fluidity of a quick-draw duel.

The plot itself is deceptively simple: two bounty hunters on the trail of the ruthless El Indio (played with chilling intensity by Gian Maria Volontè), who has just busted out of prison and plans a daring heist. As they inch closer to their quarry, Leone masterfully weaves a narrative web filled with betrayals, double-crosses, and dark pasts that come back to haunt the characters. It’s a testament to Leone’s storytelling prowess that he can take a classic revenge plot and infuse it with such depth and intrigue.

One of the film’s standout sequences is the climactic duel between Mortimer and El Indio, which unfolds featuring a pocket watch with a haunting tune. It’s a masterpiece of tension and anticipation, and Leone’s meticulous direction turns every tick of the watch into a heartbeat, building to a cathartic crescendo.

For a Few Dollars More also touches on themes of morality and justice in a world where the line between good and bad is blurred. It challenges our preconceptions and leaves us pondering the characters’ choices long after the credits roll.

In the end, Sergio Leone’s For a Few Dollars More is not just a classic of the spaghetti western genre; it’s a timeless work of art. It’s a film that lingers in your thoughts, a cinematic journey that invites you to explore the shades of gray in its morally complex world. So, dear reader, if you haven’t experienced this masterpiece yet, do yourself a favor and set aside a few dollars for a ticket. And once you’ve seen it, come back here and share your thoughts in the comments. The Wild West awaits your verdict.