Movieweb
By Adam Symchuk
November 10, 2025
The action genre continues to evolve, whether through the
continued growth of CGI and AI, or those daring filmmakers who aim to deliver
fisticuffs and shootouts with stuntpeople and practical effects in new and
authentic ways. Looking back, many of the hit action films of yesteryear seem
somewhat dated, but like any genre, some classics remain timeless and continue
to pack a punch. Of course, it does not hurt when you have an icon like Clint
Eastwood in the lead, whose cool and calm veneer has long made him the
quintessential action hero. Building on the success of Rawhide (1959–1965),
Eastwood's impact on action and Western genres was not immediately apparent.
However, his subsequent success cannot be understated, starting with a series
of movies that remain among his best.
The action genre continues to evolve, whether through the
continued growth of CGI and AI, or those daring filmmakers who aim to deliver
fisticuffs and shootouts with stuntpeople and practical effects in new and
authentic ways. Looking back, many of the hit action films of yesteryear seem
somewhat dated, but like any genre, some classics remain timeless and continue
to pack a punch. Of course, it does not hurt when you have an icon like Clint
Eastwood in the lead, whose cool and calm veneer has long made him the
quintessential action hero. Building on the success of Rawhide (1959–1965),
Eastwood's impact on action and Western genres was not immediately apparent.
However, his subsequent success cannot be understated, starting with a series
of movies that remain among his best.
All the movies in the "Man With No Name" or
"Dollars" trilogy — A Fistful of Dollars (1964), For a Few Dollars
More (1965), The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) — will always be in
discussion for the best Westerns ever made, which often takes precedent over
the truth that they are also among the best action films ever made. Originally
released on December 18, 1965, the middle movie, For a Few Dollars More, may
not get as much praise as the final entry in the trilogy. It is, nonetheless,
deserving of praise, as 60 years after its release, it remains a work of
cinematic beauty and intensity.
'For a Few Dollars More' Is a Quintessential Western
Out of a Unique Time in Cinema
The second entry in the "The Man With No Name"
trilogy, For a Few Dollars More, placed Clint Eastwood in a familiar role: that
of a quiet, plotting, and mysterious gunslinger navigating a brutal world of
outlaws. Alongside Eastwood are Lee Van Cleef as Colonel Douglas Mortimer and
Gian Maria Volonté as the bandit El Indio. Here, Eastwood and Van Cleef are
bounty hunters tracking El Indio, both working separately to try to claim the
bounty on his head. With different motivations (Van Cleef being a man of the
law), the two team up when El Indio retreats into the protection of his gang.
The film was directed by Sergio Leone, one of the primary
progenitors of the "Spaghetti Western." The Western sub-genre is
named after its country of origin, Italy. These productions were filmed almost
entirely in Europe, featuring a diverse cast from various countries; it was not
uncommon for actors to work together who did not share the same language. The
movies were not shot with live sound and received English dubs in
post-production; besides Westerns, a slew of action, exploitation, and horror
movies were also made in the same way.
Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef spoke English, but the
rest of the cast spoke primarily Italian or Spanish. While this sort of
production is now unheard of, it is a testament to the work of Sergio Leone and
Eastwood's acting chops, which make every element come together perfectly
despite language barriers and an international cast.
'A Few Dollars More' Remains One of the Best Action
Movies of All Time
It's One of the Best Westerns Ever Made
Clint Eastwood's sharp figure is perfectly framed within
the harsh desert landscape of El Paso (not to be confused with the real Texas
City, as the film was shot entirely in Spain). This image of Eastwood has
become iconic, presenting a cinematic masculinity that would come to define a
whole generation of actors (sometimes for the best, sometimes for the worse).
It remains a cultural reference point that goes beyond just those who have seen
the film. Eastwood would also be paired with Van Cleef, an icon in his own
right, who was the perfect quiet menace, a man who could play a bandit and a
strict authoritarian figure. The two are the very definition of cool in the
world of action and Westerns.
Sergio Leone’s direction was revolutionary for the time,
providing a grand operatic visual style that captured both the beauty and
brutality of the Western frontier, where moral ambiguity favored those willing
to make the boldest choices. Leone’s work flowed at a deliberate pace, taking
moments to highlight the landscape or the expressions of his actors. Serene
moments were punctuated by sharp, sensational violence. In For a Few Dollars
More, notably, the build-up to the duel between Colonel Douglas Mortimer and
the bandit El Indio is marked by deep psychological intensity and moral
righteousness, punctuated by a devastating final shot. Where modern action
directors often focus on abundance and spectacle, Leone’s Spaghetti Westerns
were about building tension toward an explosive moment of release.
Music is so integral to the success of the “Man With No
Name” trilogy that it cannot go unmentioned. Ennio Morricone, a consistent
collaborator of Leone and one of the most influential composers of all time,
delivered an iconic score. While the most famous Western track may come from
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in “Inseguimento (Chase),” the score of For a
Few Dollars More is pure atmospheric perfection.
Along with the other entries in the iconic Western
trilogy, For a Few Dollars More is best experienced firsthand to appreciate its
brilliance and brutality, which have cemented it as one of the most enduring
action Westerns ever made.
Where To Watch 'For a Few Dollars More'
When it comes to the "Dollars" or "Man
With No Name" trilogy (both are used and acceptable among the fandom),
much of the time, an emphasis is placed on The Good, The Bad and The Ugly as an
essential watch, for good reason. Yet, fans should note that the movies don't
need to be viewed in order. Essentially, those who have seen The Good, the Bad,
and the Ugly previously can watch For a Few Dollars More as a standalone. At
the same time, to fully appreciate the scope and adoration of Sergio Leone's
Western trilogy, it is ideal to watch all three films in order.
The action genre continues to evolve, whether through the
continued growth of CGI and AI, or those daring filmmakers who aim to deliver
fisticuffs and shootouts with stuntpeople and practical effects in new and
authentic ways. Looking back, many of the hit action films of yesteryear seem
somewhat dated, but like any genre, some classics remain timeless and continue
to pack a punch. Of course, it does not hurt when you have an icon like Clint
Eastwood in the lead, whose cool and calm veneer has long made him the
quintessential action hero. Building on the success of Rawhide (1959–1965),
Eastwood's impact on action and Western genres was not immediately apparent.
However, his subsequent success cannot be understated, starting with a series
of movies that remain among his best.
All the movies in the "Man With No Name" or
"Dollars" trilogy — A Fistful of Dollars (1964), For a Few Dollars
More (1965), The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) — will always be in
discussion for the best Westerns ever made, which often takes precedent over
the truth that they are also among the best action films ever made. Originally
released on December 18, 1965, the middle movie, For a Few Dollars More, may
not get as much praise as the final entry in the trilogy. It is, nonetheless,
deserving of praise, as 60 years after its release, it remains a work of
cinematic beauty and intensity.
For a Few Dollars More is available to stream on MGM+,
Kanopy, Philo, or Fubo. The other two films in the trilogy, A Fistful of
Dollars and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, are also available to stream on the
same platforms.
