Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970)

[T.H.]

Uh, Grogs, where in your review do you mention . . . the authentic Mexican locations? You may not believe this, but a Western filmed in Mexico has a more interesting look than those innumerable ones shot at Spahn Ranch. And the Morricone score is better than you make out. The location shooting and the music alone lift this film above most other American Westerns of the period.

I really didn't think the movie was that visually impressive. the locations were sort of bland, certainly could have been better.

the score, while soid, is below average for morricone standards.

I guess I place my allegiances with team groggy on this one.

[Groggy]

Uh, Grogs, where in your review do you mention . . . the authentic Mexican locations? You may not believe this, but a Western filmed in Mexico has a more interesting look than those innumerable ones shot at Spahn Ranch. And the Morricone score is better than you make out. The location shooting and the music alone lift this film above most other American Westerns of the period.

I do mention the photography at one point, but I don't see what your point is. Pretty much all of Peckinpah's post-Ride the High Country Westerns were shot in Mexico, as were The Magnificent Seven and Vera Cruz and numerous others, many of rather drekky quality. A film is not significantly improved by simple virtue of its locations, anyway. It's how they're used.

[dave jenkins]

A film is not significantly improved by simple virtue of its locations, anyway. It's how they're used.

Surely, it's a combination of the two?

[Groggy]

Yeah, good thing Sergio didn't film all his Westerns in Spain or something - then they would have been shit. I'm really happy he used only authentic Mexican locations.

[dave jenkins]

Huh? The point is, SL filmed on locations that didn't look like the USUAL places (at least to American eyes). I get really tired of seeing Westerns that are supposed to be in different parts of the country but are all on Spahn Ranch (or wherever). I crack myself up every time (which isn't often)I see a MASH episode (filmed at the Fox Ranch) and imagine a couple of costumed extras wandering in from a Planet of the Apes movie. It's the novelty value of the locations I'm talking about. Mexico is great to film in because it doesn't look like those usual locations in American Westerns.

[Dust Devil]

I was never crazy about TMFSS (sounds like Typhus), but it has its moments.

The opening sequence is exquisite; I don't know if anyone ever mentioned how many animals Siegel used in it?

There's the horse (the real one, not Clint), the tarantula, the snake, the cougar (the real one, not Shirley MacLaine)...

Anything else? Birds of some kind probably, maybe vultures, can't recall...

[Dust Devil]

My mistake, no birds, it's a fish and two hares: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1XKZt5Nc5k

[drinkanddestroy]

This is the sort of movie that if it's playing on tv, you can keep the channel on and watch it.

I'd give it a 5.5/10

Morricone's main theme is funny

[The Firecracker]

After Maclaine pulls out the arrow from Clint's shoulder the movie becomes a snoozer.

[cigar joe]

It would be nice to see Boetticher's original screenplay of this.

[Dust Devil]

It would be nice to see Boetticher's original screenplay of this.

I almost wrote Randy Scott was dead already when he was doing it...

[dave jenkins]

The UK blu is apparently region free : http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BR1EZ48/

[drinkanddestroy]

Recent article in ESPN Magazine on Michael Jordan turning 50 years old. Says he is a huge fan of Westerns, and his 3 faves are The Outlaw Josey Wales, Two Mules for Sister Sara, and Unforgiven

[dave jenkins]

Blu ray in da haus!

[emmo26]

Maybe Sondra Locke for the part of Sister Sara....


Anyway I thought that Eastwood was miscast, because his drunk act wasn't really all that convincing.