Sierra torride

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.

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.

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.

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! ****

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