94 reviews
Sure, he's in the shadow here of his more famous Leone westerns, but this vehicle, amiably directed by Don Siegel and aided by a quirky Ennio Morricone score, is an entertaining little spaghetti western knockoff shot on location in Mexico. Story-wise, it's an old west Heaven Knows Mr. Allison with a comic twist, and with an offbeat nemesis in the French Army. The humorous chemistry between Eastwood's Hogan and MacLaine's Sara at times clicks so well it's hard to believe they reportedly didn't get along very well during production. Though when it comes to Shirley MacLaine nothing really surprises me.
As far as Eastwood's post Spaghetti movies, he's rarely been in better form than this. Essentially continuing his man with no name persona, he gets far more dialogue this time around which fleshes out his character and makes him a little more three dimensional. It's a nice change of pace from the Leone westerns to hear Clint spout a few humorous lines and have the odd hilarious facial expression in between his trademark squinting and snarling and cigar chomping.
Disciples of Leone's trilogy may never warm up to an admittedly hammier Clint in this, but as Clint's Hollywood westerns go, this is a fun and well made duster. Shouldn't be missed.
As far as Eastwood's post Spaghetti movies, he's rarely been in better form than this. Essentially continuing his man with no name persona, he gets far more dialogue this time around which fleshes out his character and makes him a little more three dimensional. It's a nice change of pace from the Leone westerns to hear Clint spout a few humorous lines and have the odd hilarious facial expression in between his trademark squinting and snarling and cigar chomping.
Disciples of Leone's trilogy may never warm up to an admittedly hammier Clint in this, but as Clint's Hollywood westerns go, this is a fun and well made duster. Shouldn't be missed.
Curious, unexpectedly talky western set in the Mexican desert. Drifter on horseback saves a nun from rape at the hands of bandits, she saves him by removing an arrow from his shoulder. The rapport between these two couldn't have looked very colorful on the printed page, but by God if stars Clint Eastwood and feisty Shirley MacLaine don't give it color and charisma. The writing isn't very expressive, and there's an odd drop-off in action after the opening sequence, but once you get attuned to the film's rhythm, it surprises you with its resonance. For action buffs, only the final shoot-out will please; for everyone else, a leisurely, though absorbing and entertaining, character-driven change-of-pace. *** from ****
- moonspinner55
- May 25, 2002
- Permalink
Don Siegel's "Two Mules For Sister Sara" starring Clint Eastwood and Shirley MacLaine is certainly not one of the brilliant Westerns with Eastwood, but it is a very well directed, greatly acted and very amusing little Western comedy with good wit that highly entertains. Eastwood, who is cool as always, and the lovable MacLaine match perfectly, and the plot has some nice twists (although it should be said that some of the 'twists' are not really too surprising).
After gunsling Hogan (Eastwood) saves a nun named Sara (MacLaine) from a bunch of guys who wanted to rape her in the middle of the desert by shooting them, he now has to take care of her, which annoys him. It's a time of revolution against the French in Mexico, and while Hogan, who is interested in quick money, will fight for whichever side pays well (which happens to be the revolutionaries), his new traveling companion Sara is very obviously an idealistic supporter of the revolutionary Juaristas...
As mentioned above, "Two Mules For Sister Sara" can in no way come up to the brilliance of Eastwood movies such as Leone's Dollar Trilogy (few movies can) or Eastwood's very own "High Plains Drifter" of 1973. Nevertheless, it is a good little western with a lot of charm and wit, which provides an exciting story, action and great entertainment as well as many good laughs. Clint Eastwood has always been the epitome of coolness, especially in his Westerns, and MacLaine is great in her role of the feisty sister Sara. Overall, "Two Mules For Sister Sara" is a highly entertaining Western Comedy, that will not leave anybody bored. Recommended! 7/10
After gunsling Hogan (Eastwood) saves a nun named Sara (MacLaine) from a bunch of guys who wanted to rape her in the middle of the desert by shooting them, he now has to take care of her, which annoys him. It's a time of revolution against the French in Mexico, and while Hogan, who is interested in quick money, will fight for whichever side pays well (which happens to be the revolutionaries), his new traveling companion Sara is very obviously an idealistic supporter of the revolutionary Juaristas...
As mentioned above, "Two Mules For Sister Sara" can in no way come up to the brilliance of Eastwood movies such as Leone's Dollar Trilogy (few movies can) or Eastwood's very own "High Plains Drifter" of 1973. Nevertheless, it is a good little western with a lot of charm and wit, which provides an exciting story, action and great entertainment as well as many good laughs. Clint Eastwood has always been the epitome of coolness, especially in his Westerns, and MacLaine is great in her role of the feisty sister Sara. Overall, "Two Mules For Sister Sara" is a highly entertaining Western Comedy, that will not leave anybody bored. Recommended! 7/10
- Witchfinder-General-666
- Aug 2, 2007
- Permalink
- planktonrules
- Aug 16, 2006
- Permalink
Clint and Shirley have great chemistry together. The movie is light on action and works as a lighthearted comedy. The music by Ennio Morricone is cool . The movie is really funny in some places like the talk about the ass. The dialogue is often witty. There is no unnecessary violence. The movie has moments when it gets little serious , but not too serious . The plot is not quite predictable as one could suspect. The final battle is quite exciting.
Despite what IMDb tells you this is not really a war movie. It is set during war , but it's western. It's one of Eastwood weaker westerns , but still a good and enjoyable movie. I give it 7/10.
P.S. For those who don't understood the title - Eastwood is stubborn as mule , get it ? It's a joke.
Despite what IMDb tells you this is not really a war movie. It is set during war , but it's western. It's one of Eastwood weaker westerns , but still a good and enjoyable movie. I give it 7/10.
P.S. For those who don't understood the title - Eastwood is stubborn as mule , get it ? It's a joke.
- eaglejet98
- Nov 26, 2003
- Permalink
Well crafted Western with interesting and engaging screenplay written by Albert Maltz from a story by Bud Boetticher . It deals with a nun called Sara (Shirley MacLaine) and two mules (second mule was actually a burro) , as she is attacked by three outlaws , being rescued by a drifter named Hogan (Clint Eastwood) , who is on his way across Mexican desert and becoming wary of her religious nature . Gringo Hogan arrives in Mexico do some reconnaissance, for a next mission to capture a French fort , so he decides to help her in return for information about the defences . Inevitably both of them become good friends but Sara has a twisted secret . At the end takes place a needlessly violent slaughter against Maximiliano army . Hogan is the deadliest man alive , he takes on a whole army with two guns and a fistful of dynamite! .
This classic as well as diverting Western results to be a good fun that contains thrills , humor , slow and deliberating filming , elaborate shoot-outs , and portentous battles with bloodbaths included . It's a special following to original ¨Dollars trilogy¨ with Eastwood as ¨Man with no name¨ ; as this new role as Hogan bears remarkable resemblance . Clint returns his classic character of ¨The man with no name¨ and MacLaine is an unlikely nun in this amusing comedy Western . Shirley MacLaine did not get along during the shoot with director Don Siegel , with whom she openly fought . While in Austria filming ¨When eagles dare¨, Clint Eastwood was approached with the script by Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton's wife at the time, with the notion of starring together in the film ; however, Universal Pictures was unwilling to pay Taylor's high salary . Being a Mexico/USA co-production in the picture appears numerous Mexican secondary actors such as Manuel Fabregas , Enrique Lucero , Armando Silvestre , among others . Maestro Ennio Morricone composes a groundbreaking and streaking soundtrack , including some comic touches . Colorful and evocative cinematography in Panavision by excellent Mexican cameraman Gabriel Figueroa and uncredited Robert Surtees , being filmed in Cuaútla, Morelos, Jantetelco, Tlayacapan, Mexico .
The motion picture was rightly produced by Martin Rackin and well directed by Donald Siegel . His first feature as a director was 1946's The Verdict (1946). He made his reputation in the early and mid-'50s with a series of tightly made, expertly crafted, tough but intelligent "B" pictures , among them : The Lineup (1958), Riot in Cell Block 11 (1954), Invasion of the body snatchers (1956)), then graduated to major "A" films in the 1960s and early 1970s. He made several "side trips" to television, mostly as a producer . Siegel directed what is generally considered to be Elvis Presley's best picture, Flamingo Star (1960). All of Eastwood's later Western and his ¨Dirty Harry¨ movies owe a considerable debt to Sergio Leone and Donald Siegel . As Donald directed Eastwood in various films , such as : Coogan's bluff , The beguiled , Dirty Harry , Escape from Alcatraz and , of course , this ¨ Two mules and sister Sara¨. He had a long professional relationship and personal friendship with Clint Eastwood, who has often said that everything he knows about filmmaking he learned from Don Siegel . ¨Two mules and sister Sara¨ is an enjoyable film for Clint Eastwood and Donald Siegel enthusiasts , including their usual trademarks , it's full of which made their films so memorable, others might find it a bit long but no one can deny its sense of style what achieved a great burst of world-wide popularity .
This classic as well as diverting Western results to be a good fun that contains thrills , humor , slow and deliberating filming , elaborate shoot-outs , and portentous battles with bloodbaths included . It's a special following to original ¨Dollars trilogy¨ with Eastwood as ¨Man with no name¨ ; as this new role as Hogan bears remarkable resemblance . Clint returns his classic character of ¨The man with no name¨ and MacLaine is an unlikely nun in this amusing comedy Western . Shirley MacLaine did not get along during the shoot with director Don Siegel , with whom she openly fought . While in Austria filming ¨When eagles dare¨, Clint Eastwood was approached with the script by Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton's wife at the time, with the notion of starring together in the film ; however, Universal Pictures was unwilling to pay Taylor's high salary . Being a Mexico/USA co-production in the picture appears numerous Mexican secondary actors such as Manuel Fabregas , Enrique Lucero , Armando Silvestre , among others . Maestro Ennio Morricone composes a groundbreaking and streaking soundtrack , including some comic touches . Colorful and evocative cinematography in Panavision by excellent Mexican cameraman Gabriel Figueroa and uncredited Robert Surtees , being filmed in Cuaútla, Morelos, Jantetelco, Tlayacapan, Mexico .
The motion picture was rightly produced by Martin Rackin and well directed by Donald Siegel . His first feature as a director was 1946's The Verdict (1946). He made his reputation in the early and mid-'50s with a series of tightly made, expertly crafted, tough but intelligent "B" pictures , among them : The Lineup (1958), Riot in Cell Block 11 (1954), Invasion of the body snatchers (1956)), then graduated to major "A" films in the 1960s and early 1970s. He made several "side trips" to television, mostly as a producer . Siegel directed what is generally considered to be Elvis Presley's best picture, Flamingo Star (1960). All of Eastwood's later Western and his ¨Dirty Harry¨ movies owe a considerable debt to Sergio Leone and Donald Siegel . As Donald directed Eastwood in various films , such as : Coogan's bluff , The beguiled , Dirty Harry , Escape from Alcatraz and , of course , this ¨ Two mules and sister Sara¨. He had a long professional relationship and personal friendship with Clint Eastwood, who has often said that everything he knows about filmmaking he learned from Don Siegel . ¨Two mules and sister Sara¨ is an enjoyable film for Clint Eastwood and Donald Siegel enthusiasts , including their usual trademarks , it's full of which made their films so memorable, others might find it a bit long but no one can deny its sense of style what achieved a great burst of world-wide popularity .
The most used formula for Westerns would have to be this: approximately two to five people thrown together by dire circumstances where they're forced to brave the wilds with only their wits, each other and maybe a couple rifles. They focus mainly on character development, character interaction and the bond that develops during these manliest of adventures. Now, given this, what better combination of people is there than a nun and a cowboy? You're right! There isn't any!
Now just because the leading lady is a nun, don't think there isn't any sexual tension. It's sexual tensions abound! Not only that but it's a fun, well-made movie. Shirley MacLaine was great and, lets face it, Clint Eastwood was born to make westerns. Well, maybe not "make" them ... but he's a great cowboy. Well directed, well paced, good story, good acting and it stars a nun and a cowboy. The opening music didn't "do it" for me but even that would probably grow on me. I fully endorse this movie. Look for "Two Mules for Sister Sara" T-shirts with myself in the background giving the thumbs-up.
Now just because the leading lady is a nun, don't think there isn't any sexual tension. It's sexual tensions abound! Not only that but it's a fun, well-made movie. Shirley MacLaine was great and, lets face it, Clint Eastwood was born to make westerns. Well, maybe not "make" them ... but he's a great cowboy. Well directed, well paced, good story, good acting and it stars a nun and a cowboy. The opening music didn't "do it" for me but even that would probably grow on me. I fully endorse this movie. Look for "Two Mules for Sister Sara" T-shirts with myself in the background giving the thumbs-up.
- classicsoncall
- Sep 7, 2007
- Permalink
With the intervention of Napoleon III of France, Archduque Maximilian was installed as emperor in Mexico but Mexican countrymen known as Juaristas (Juarez' resistance) were fighting to demonstrate that their country could act independently, that - as the reform contended - all men were equal under law, and that foreign monarchical adventures in Mexico were futile...
Sister Sara (Shirley MacLaine), presumably a nun, has adopted their cause and is being pursued by the French army for raising money to the Juaristas... Hogan (Clint Eastwood) is a wonder obliged to neither party... He appears unexpectedly when Sister Sara is about to be raped by three men... Fortunately for her, he kills them all...
But unlike the 'Man With No Name,' Eastwood doesn't turn and ride away... He escorts the good-looking nun in her mission...
But the nun's strange behavior intrigues his curiosity... She smokes cigars, she drinks whiskey and her language comes to be every day more profane...
Hogan's fascination with her arrives at its peak when she removes an Indian arrow from his shoulder, having rendering him half insensible by intoxicating him with shots of Whiskey...
After joining her to blow up a French supply train, he is persuaded to help a group of Juaristas led by Colonel Beltran (Manolo Fabregas) in a final attack on a French garrison...
The climax of "Two Mules for Sister Sara" displays the differences between Leone's conclusion which the 'Stranger' merely disappears into the mists of time... The change of image didn't excite the audience leaving the picture with enough nostalgia for the myth of the loner, the super hero, the 'Man With No Name.'
The film (beautifully shot in Color) is really a two-character story... The interesting team gives amusing and tender performances... The motion picture echoes "The African Queen," but is far away from being Hepburn/Bogart exciting adventure...
Sister Sara (Shirley MacLaine), presumably a nun, has adopted their cause and is being pursued by the French army for raising money to the Juaristas... Hogan (Clint Eastwood) is a wonder obliged to neither party... He appears unexpectedly when Sister Sara is about to be raped by three men... Fortunately for her, he kills them all...
But unlike the 'Man With No Name,' Eastwood doesn't turn and ride away... He escorts the good-looking nun in her mission...
But the nun's strange behavior intrigues his curiosity... She smokes cigars, she drinks whiskey and her language comes to be every day more profane...
Hogan's fascination with her arrives at its peak when she removes an Indian arrow from his shoulder, having rendering him half insensible by intoxicating him with shots of Whiskey...
After joining her to blow up a French supply train, he is persuaded to help a group of Juaristas led by Colonel Beltran (Manolo Fabregas) in a final attack on a French garrison...
The climax of "Two Mules for Sister Sara" displays the differences between Leone's conclusion which the 'Stranger' merely disappears into the mists of time... The change of image didn't excite the audience leaving the picture with enough nostalgia for the myth of the loner, the super hero, the 'Man With No Name.'
The film (beautifully shot in Color) is really a two-character story... The interesting team gives amusing and tender performances... The motion picture echoes "The African Queen," but is far away from being Hepburn/Bogart exciting adventure...
- Nazi_Fighter_David
- Sep 1, 2000
- Permalink
To tell you the truth, I expected 'Two Mules for Sister Sara' to be a mediocre movie, only trying to take advantage of Eastwood's success with Sergio Leone's film. However, it came to become one of my favourite westerns, even though I've seen a handful of them.
Despite its naivety, the film has a good screenplay. Eastwood played well, but MacLaine offered without a doubt the best performance. The music, composed by Ennio Morricone, was magnificent.
The movie was perhaps too talky for a western, giving us some memorable quotes though. Also, many goofs were present, including the dynamite usage, downgrading the overall result.
I definitely recommend 'Two Mules for Sister Sara' to Eastwood and western fans. From my point of view, it surely isn't a masterpiece, but it is good work, long forgotten.
Despite its naivety, the film has a good screenplay. Eastwood played well, but MacLaine offered without a doubt the best performance. The music, composed by Ennio Morricone, was magnificent.
The movie was perhaps too talky for a western, giving us some memorable quotes though. Also, many goofs were present, including the dynamite usage, downgrading the overall result.
I definitely recommend 'Two Mules for Sister Sara' to Eastwood and western fans. From my point of view, it surely isn't a masterpiece, but it is good work, long forgotten.
- geo-546-616925
- Aug 20, 2013
- Permalink
When the French army took control of the country we call Mexico, they counted on one factor to help them subdue the population, . . . fear! The use of Fear, through, intimation, torture, and outright execution worked, but not in the way they thought it would. The French brutality had an effect alright, it had the disastrous consequence of cementing the people, their friends and hundreds of mercenaries into an avenging force. Although there are many stories of the revolution, several stand out as movie classics. The Professionals, is one favorite, another is, "Two Mules for Sister Sara." In this story we have an American mercenary (Clint Eastwood) named Hogan who has bitter memories of the Civil War and decides to try for a quick Gold fortune in Mexico. He agrees to help Mexican Col. Beltran (Manuel Fabregas) take the French Garrison in exchange for half the treasury. Along the way, Hogan is joined by a traveling Catholic Nun, named Sister Sara (Shirley MacLaine) who has more secrets than just fear of being captured by the French. Innicially captured by three whiskey drinking rouges who strip, humiliate and threaten the beautiful Nun, she becomes a surprising and necessary ally. In their wondering, they save each other's life until the end, when Hogan is completely shocked with Sister Sara as she reveals her most guarded secret. I loved the movie, especially it's memorable and haunting theme at the beginning of the film. Superb! ****
- thinker1691
- Oct 9, 2007
- Permalink
'Two Miles For Sister Sara (1970)', the second collaboration between Eastwood and Siegel, sees a straight-shooting mercenary agree to escort a nun on the run to safety after rescuing her from a trio of thugs who thought they'd found an easy target. As the pair progress along their journey, they find that they have more in common than they may have first thought - including a shared destination, enemy and penchant for drinking. Indeed, the eponymous nun isn't necessarily all she appears to be (that's all I'll say for fear of spoiling things), which adds an interesting twist to her character and allows for several little surprises to amuse you as the piece moves towards its exciting shootout of an ending. The focal pair have a strained but consistent relationship that builds believably over the course of the narrative. Their comic interactions are pretty much as entertaining as the action set-pieces; this keeps the film enjoyable throughout, even when its plot starts to drag a little. In general, the movie is fun. It's a solid western with a strong cast and an even stronger central dynamic. 7/10
- Pjtaylor-96-138044
- Nov 17, 2020
- Permalink
Clint Eastwood stars as a mercenary named Hogan, who rescues a nun being attacked by three cowboys. After dispatching them, Hogan finds to his consternation that he can't get rid of the grateful nun Sara(Shirley MacLaine), though he discovers that she has information regarding a French fort he is doing reconnaissance on. He also learns that this nun has secrets of her own...
Reasonably entertaining film has some good action and comedy, though also some graphic violence in the climatic battle at the French fort, and an entirely predictable outcome of their romance. Marred by glaring changes of tone, but still passable.
Reasonably entertaining film has some good action and comedy, though also some graphic violence in the climatic battle at the French fort, and an entirely predictable outcome of their romance. Marred by glaring changes of tone, but still passable.
- AaronCapenBanner
- Sep 5, 2013
- Permalink
I was hesitant on watching this western although it has Clint in it because it just seemed really boring. Even the title seemed really boring like it's a movie about ranching. But surprisingly the movie starts out with a bang from the start. Clint plays a gunslinger once again but this time he is traveling with a nun. Which is interesting since it's a man that uses violence constantly to solve his problems and is with a nun who tries to go in a more peaceful direction and forgives those that wrong her. Although her naive and lazy manner gets annoying after a while. For a western that is overlooked it's actually a engaging western that is worth seeing. This isn't a western that has a bunch of stand offs and shootouts. Although it lacks the gritty western elements but backs it up with the intriguing combination of force and peace to make it through the journey. This is not a western that I am used to but it's still a good western journey that doesn't try too hard. The movie does have decent moments but sometimes the movie just seemed a bit dull and not all that entertaining. Overall despite some slow points this is a western that is well worth watching although it isn't for everyone that is into this genre.
6.7/10
6.7/10
- KineticSeoul
- Jan 8, 2012
- Permalink
It was a different kind of western with a surprising ending. Clint Eastwood and Shirley McClaine had great chemistry and gave great performances; especially Clint Eastwood. It was fun to watch with a good story line. Very entertaining!
This movie has been done due to a request of Clint Eastwood, who wanted a more brilliant role in order to show his acting capabilities, after his well known action and spaghetti western movies. He teamed up with a director of his trust, Don Siegel, who is not known for his skills in directing comedies. Further, Clint and Shirley MacLaine apparently did not match. So what came out of their effort? An "odd couple" movie that mixes action, war, western, comedy and some romance. Siegel is comfortable with action and you can see it when action comes to the screen. The rest does not really work. The script is not so funny, the different parts do not make a movie. Moreover, the western part is a quote from Sergio Leone, with its mix of venturers, Mexican revolution, etc. Anyway, I rated it 7 because I love Clint Eastwood and he is good in his role.
- noodles-13
- Apr 2, 2007
- Permalink
I am not a fan of Western films - generally speaking - but Two Mules for Sister Sara is a outstanding story. This movie really did get my attention from the beginning and held it until the very end. It is not a typical shot-them-up Western flick - yet it does have some gun-slinging action in it.
This is one of those films I do not want to talk about too much because I don't want to give it away - instead I will tell you to simply watch it because it is good! I can say it is a very interesting concept: The gunslinger helping a nun and vice versa - just watch the film and see how they meet and it plays out you will not be disappointed.
9/10
This is one of those films I do not want to talk about too much because I don't want to give it away - instead I will tell you to simply watch it because it is good! I can say it is a very interesting concept: The gunslinger helping a nun and vice versa - just watch the film and see how they meet and it plays out you will not be disappointed.
9/10
- Rainey-Dawn
- Oct 19, 2014
- Permalink
I love Clint westerns and Two Mules For Sister Sara is no exception. Clint is Clint and Shirley MacLaine is perfect for her role as "Sister Sara". The developing chemistry between Eastwood and MacLaine is fun to watch and the score outstanding. As usual, Clint has some classic one-liners. I've watched this DVD 5 times and have yet to be bored.
Clint is Clint. But this is really Shirley MacLaine's movie. She is terrific in the role of Sister Sara. At times funny, stern, sexy, pious. It's a real star turn. And I'm not even a fan of hers. In many ways this is an American Spaghetti Western. Enno Morricone did the score. Mexico substitutes for Spain and Clint is at his sharp shooting best. Very enjoyable.
- nelsonhodgie
- Jun 1, 2020
- Permalink
Well, Eastwood's rich career has its low points, too, and this 1970 bummer certainly qualifies as one of those. It's a dull and disappointing Western. The main problem is the thoroughly uninvolving story - so uninvolving, in fact, that it makes you wonder why exactly the filmmakers chose to tell it and if they thought it had any interest whatsoever. Eastwood himself is OK and occasionally enjoyable, but MacLaine is horribly miscast.
- rmax304823
- Sep 18, 2011
- Permalink