Clint Eastwood’s critically acclaimed Dollars Trilogy (A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly) is coming to a streaming platform. The movies will arrive on Tubi on Sept. 1, giving Western fans the chance to watch the classic films.
The trilogy is perhaps most famous for launching Clint Eastwood’s career as a leading man. Eastwood’s portrayal of the Man with No Name became iconic, characterized by his stoic demeanor, sharp wit, and efficient gunplay. Alongside Eastwood, the films featured a strong supporting cast, including Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach, whose performances in For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, respectively, are particularly memorable.
The Dollars Trilogy, directed by Sergio Leone, is one of the most iconic series in the history of cinema, often credited with revolutionizing the Western genre. The trilogy, comprising A Fistful of Dollars (1964), For a Few Dollars More (1965), and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), not only cemented Clint Eastwood’s status as a global star but also introduced a new, gritty style of Western that became known as the Spaghetti Western. These films are renowned for their unique blend of stylized violence, moral ambiguity, and memorable music composed by Ennio Morricone, which contributed to their lasting cultural impact.
The Dollars Trilogy Consisted of Three Hit Films
Despite their low budgets, the Dollars Trilogy achieved significant commercial success, particularly in Europe and later in the United States. A Fistful of Dollars was made for around $200,000 but grossed nearly $20 million worldwide, a remarkable return on investment. The success of the first film led to the production of the subsequent entries, each of which built on the financial success of its predecessor. By the time The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was released, the trilogy had grossed over $84 million collectively, making it one of the most successful film series of its time.
The Dollars Trilogy was initially met with mixed reviews but has since gained critical acclaim for its groundbreaking approach to the Western genre. A Fistful of Dollars was a bold departure from traditional Westerns, drawing inspiration from Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo and introducing a morally complex protagonist. As the series progressed, the films received increasing praise, with The Good, the Bad and the Ugly often cited as one of the greatest Westerns of all time. Critics have lauded Leone’s innovative direction, Eastwood’s iconic performance, and Morricone’s unforgettable score, which together redefined what a Western could be.
The success of the trilogy not only solidified Eastwood’s status as a major star but also established Leone as one of the most influential directors in cinema. Leone is widely recognized as the pioneer of the Spaghetti Western genre, a subgenre that redefined the traditional Western with its distinct style and tone. In addition to his groundbreaking work in Westerns, Leone is also celebrated for his Once Upon a Time films, which include Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), Duck, You Sucker! (1971), and Once Upon a Time in America (1984). These films further cemented his legacy as a visionary director, showcasing his ability to craft epic narratives that transcended genre conventions.
Check out all three chapters of the Dollars Trilogy on Tubi on Sept. 1.