Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970)

"Every man's got the right to be a sucker once." Hogan

This forgotten classic marked the transition between Clint Eastwood's establishment as a Hollywood box office attraction following release of the smash hit Hang Em High and before his transition to the urban detective "Dirty Harry" that confirmed him as a superstar of the first order.

Two Mules for Sister Sara boasts an original story, great performances from Clint Eastwood and co-star Shirley MacLaine, a superb and insightful music score by Ennio Morricone, and brilliant direction by action master Don Siegel. Siegel and Eastwood would collaborate several times with their most notable success being the highly acclaimed Dirty Harry.

From an original story by Bud Boetticher, Two Mules brings cigar chomping Eastwood in familiar "man with no name" guise into contact with a nun, played with aplomb by Shirley MacLaine (Guarding Tess). He comes on her in the middle of the Mexican wilderness and saves her from being raped by a handful of thugs, whom he handily dispatches with his ever-ready Colt 45. Rather than riding off into the sunset as he usually would, Eastwood decides to escort the nun to her destination. He has an ulterior motive, also, and believes she may be the key to his success. The byplay between the two characters, punctuated by many adventures, makes for a memorable and delectable viewing experience.

We learn Eastwood is a mercenary, working to thwart the French's attempts to put down rebellion under the Juaristas. Sister Sara is also a secret agent on behalf of the Juaristas and is traveling incognito, masquerading as a nun. Much of the humor, and the movie has plenty, involves her attempts to remain aloof from the amorous Eastwood while secretly assuaging her craving for good old tobacco and alcohol, with a bit of profanity thrown in for good measure. She manages to maintain the deception and her purity until the final climactic scene, when Eastwood realizes he's been a sucker, not once but twice. :> Eastwood's legendary "man with no name" stoicism is notably lighter here under Don Siegel's masterly touch, with Clint providing several laughs of his own.

The dialogue sparkles in the many exchanges, like the following:

Col. Beltran: "This is better than killing each other, no?"
Hogan: "I only figured there was going to be one funeral... Catholic."
Col. Beltran: "Oh? I didn't know you were Catholic."

and

Sara: "Don't you want a woman of your own?"
Hogan: "What for?"
Sara: "To share your name, bear your children, be a companion."
Hogan: "To ask me to quit drinking, quit gambling and save money? And to b!tch about her aches and pains all day? No thanks!"

When she expertly cuts an arrow out of his shoulder he says, "I forgot your husband was a carpenter."

Cinematograpy, by Gabriel Figueroa, captures the beautiful Mexican wilderness in the widescreen presentation. Music, by Ennio Morricone, is fascinatingly complex and adds tremendously to the film experience. MacLaine is marvelously funny and poignant in her performance while Eastwood is the old reliable cowboy with a few well done twists on his normal character. The supporting cast are all unknowns who do their jobs well.

The Univeral DVD clocks in at 114 minutes, in color, and is presented in pristine 2.35:1 theatrical format. English, French, and Spanish language choices as well as subtitles are provided. The theatrical trailer is the sole extra. The only reason I can think why this film is not better known is the unusual title. The foreign versions are entitled "Fistful of Dynamite," which might make it a better seller. Whatever you call it, Two Mules for Sister Sara is a top notch western and a must to fill out your Clint Eastwood collection.

More Eastwood westerns for you viewing pleasure:

A Fistful of Dollars

For a Few Dollars More

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening