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Spaghetti Westerns were low-budget Western films made in Italy in the 1960s, with violent themes that were seen as a necessary part of life. Sergio Leone’s “The Man with No Name” trilogy had a significant impact on the genre, with his unusual camerawork and Ennio Morricone’s score becoming iconic. Clint Eastwood starred in the trilogy and was influenced by the films, creating more self-reflective violence in his later work. Other frequent participants were Lee Van Cleef, Jason Robards, Eli Wallach, Charles Bronson, and Henry Fonda.
Spaghetti Western is a term used to describe Western films made mainly in the 1960s by Italian directors. As it was often cheaper to work in Europe, these films became a popular alternative to Westerns made in the United States. Furthermore, the filming techniques, plot devices, and stark violence of films eventually redefined the western film genre.
Some critics have argued that the key difference in Spaghetti Westerns in regards to violence is that it is seen as a necessary and vital part of the West. This contrasts with previous films, where violence tends to erupt and disturb an otherwise peaceful community. Bloodshed is a necessary evil in films directed by Western greats like John Ford, but in Spaghetti Westerns it is often “just a part of life” and treated casually or in a way that revels in death. The body count in some films is quite large and the references to death, through scenes in graveyards and the use of symbols of death, are many.
A few key directors, composers and actors stand out as part of this cinematic tradition. Of these directors, most feel that Sergio Leone has had the greatest influence on the modern western. His “The Man with No Name” trilogy, A Fistful of Dollars, A Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly are considered to have brought about a fundamental shift in the genre.
While spaghetti westerns were often dismissed as a mere way to make a few bucks at the box office, Leone’s trilogy is considered by some critics to be an example of timeless cinema. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, filmed mainly in Spain, is often considered a milestone. The film is extremely violent, something Clint Eastwood would echo in films like Unforgiven.
It’s no surprise that Eastwood was influenced by these films, since he starred as “The Man with No Name” in the Leone trilogy. Eastwood’s film, while violent, is more self-reflective of the violence that occurs, however, acknowledging that violence does indeed have an effect on the characters. Most Spaghetti Western types were violent with no self-reflection on the part of the characters. Some argue, however, that Eastwood’s character, particularly in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, only uses violence as a last resort.
Leone’s work introduced unusual camerawork, from panning to extremely tight close-ups. This is especially true in the final moments of the last film in his trilogy. Seeing this scene is a must for any movie buff.
Ennio Morricone’s score to the last film in the trilogy would go on to become one of the most relatable scores ever. Morricone would go on to compose scores for American films such as the 1980s The Untouchables.
In addition to Eastwood’s participation in many Italian-directed films, other frequent participants were actors such as Lee Van Cleef, Jason Robards, Eli Wallach, Charles Bronson and Henry Fonda. Other well-known directors are Enzo Castellari and Sergio Corbucci.
