This movie leaves me with very mixed feelings. I can understand those who call it one of the best Westerns ever. In fact, it is quite well made and well acted. It really gripes the audience. But don't forget to look at the negative side: this movie really is excessively violent! Within the first quarter of on hour, the protagonist, played by Clint Eastwood himself, kills three men and rapes a woman. A devils advocate might argue that this is no celebration of gratuitous violence, that the protagonist is no hero, but an anti-hero. But I am afraid the protagonist might well be considered as a role model by some people. Especially testosteron tormented juveniles who are still in the process of consolidating their moral value system, might conclude - after seeing this film - that it is quite `cool' to massacre and rape. The ambivalent attitude of the raped young lady towards the protagonist might contribute in letting them believe that only those women get raped who really like it. I therefore conclude: this movie is technically good, but morally wrong.
Review of High Plains Drifter
