Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970)

[dave jenkins]

Just saw it again recently on AMC, and enjoyed it more than I ever have before. A really great Morricone score, and the closest performance by Eastwood post SL to the Man With 3 Names (he even smokes those little cigars). Best of all is probably the location work: the whole film was shot in Mexico and, crazy as it may seem, Mexico locations used for a Mexico setting works really really well. And of course, Don S knows a thing or two about directing action-adventure films, no?

[Dlanor]

And thinking Eastwood hated smoking cigares in SL westerns, and there he had to do it again... He has the poncho too.
 A very close attempt for the Americans to imitate SW.

[Beebs]

Best of all is probably the location work: the whole film was shot in Mexico and, crazy as it may seem, Mexico locations used for a Mexico setting works really really well.

In more of my reading of Eli Wallach's book, when he was doin The Mag seven Mexican censors got mad because the Mexicans were shown as poor little helpless pitiful cowards. Sturges made sure they were wearing clean white clothes. But an assistant director (nicknamed El Indio) had to over see the filming in Mexico. He was in charge of getting Eli a sombraro. He got a custom 4 ft brim hat.

[Beebs]

On the back of the Two Mules for Sister Sara DVD case there is a poster that says "The Man with No Name returns to take on an entire army with two guns and a fistful of dynamite"

Just thought it was interesting.

(discusion follows...)

[Tim]

  I guess just another way to capitalize on the success of the Dollars trilogy although you can tell that line might be a more recent addition/creation.  Fistful of Dynamite was released in 1971, while Two Mules for Sister Sara was released the year before in '70.

  And as for the guns comment, Hogan does use 2 guns, his rifle to blow the bridge with the help of Sister Sara and his ever-trusty pistol.

  Good movie and another great quirky Morricone score. 

[Sensei]

And as for the guns comment, Hogan does use 2 guns, his rifle to blow the bridge with the help of Sister Sara and his ever-trusty pistol.

That might explain it. On the cover of my DVD (which I bought in sweden) "guns" is translated to "pistols". Obviously that would then be wrong.

[JamesK]

I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but until just a couple of days ago, I'd never actually seen Two Mules for Sister Sara.  Sure, I knew all about it, including things that spoiled certain surprises for me, but I never sat down to watch the thing.  I was missing out.

A number of places describe the film as a comedy, but I don't think I'd go that far.  I'd classify it an action/comedy, with the contents tilted more heavily toward the action end of the spectrum.  All in all, I found the mixture quite satisfactory.

And it didn't hurt that Shirley MacLaine was a lot more appealing as an actress (and to the eyes) than she was to become later on.   

[The Firecracker]

I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but until just a couple of days ago, I'd never actually seen Two Mules for Sister Sara.  Sure, I knew all about it, including things that spoiled certain surprises for me, but I never sat down to watch the thing.  I was missing out.

dont be ashamed. Thats pretty much the only Clint Eastwood western I have yet to see. I think most here can say the same.
Its rather elusive isnt it? Never at the store, never on television...

[JamesK]

dont be ashamed. Thats pretty much the only Clint Eastwood western I have yet to see. I think most here can say the same.

Somehow I think the most most-neglected Eastwood western is probably Paint Your Wagon... but I know what you mean. 

What's the most surprising to me was how much I enjoyed the movie.  Sure, it's not a classic like many of Eastwood's forays into the genre, but it's still a lot of fun.

[The Firecracker]

Somehow I think the most most-neglected Eastwood western is probably Paint Your Wagon... but I know what you mean. 

Oh yeah...forgot about that one. I guess many want to forget that one.

you would be surprised the amount of times they show "Paint your wagon" on television.

[dave jenkins]

Easily Don Segal's best Western and his best work with Eastwood (even better than DH, IMHO). Of course, it's the Morricone soundtrack that makes all the difference.......

[cigar joe]

This film and High Plains Drifter are the closest Eastwood gets to his MWNN persona ever again, that and Morricone of course is icing on the cake.

Too bad that Segal didn't pay as much attention to Leone in firearm accuracy, but the more I've been paying attention to the AW's I've watched layely the more I realise that most AW directors didn't do any better.

[The Firecracker]

Easily Don Segal's best Western and his best work with Eastwood

Better than "The Beguiled"?

though I havent seen "Two Mules..." it will be hard to top TB (in my book anyways).

[Banjo]

A good movie but it still upsets me with what they did to Clint with those mushrooms etc
He'd have been better of in the Castle Anthrax from Monty Python & The Holy Grail 

[dave jenkins]

Better than "The Beguiled"?

though I havent seen "Two Mules..." it will be hard to top TB (in my book anyways).

Huh, you're the first person I've ever heard of who likes that film. I find it impossible to sit through.