Clint Eastwood smokes a lot of cigars in A Fistful of Dollars, but the actor actually despised them. Directed by Sergio Leone in 1964, this film marked the beginning of the “Dollars Trilogy” and catapulted Clint Eastwood into international stardom. Its narrative, inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo, follows a cunning drifter, known as The Man With No Name, who pits two rival families against each other in a town torn by greed, pride, and revenge. Eastwood’s portrayal of the laconic gunslinger redefined the archetype of the Western hero, blending stoicism with a shadowy moral compass.
Before donning the iconic poncho and stepping into the dusty streets of San Miguel, Clint Eastwood was primarily known for his role as Rowdy Yates in the television series Rawhide. This role showcased his rugged charm and laid the groundwork for his persona as a taciturn outsider. However, it was A Fistful of Dollars that transitioned Eastwood from a television actor to a cinematic icon, despite the initial skepticism around the low-budget Italian production. His portrayal of The Man With No Name was distinct from the clean-cut figures that dominated the genre before, and the cigars helped form that mold.
Clint Eastwood Said The Cigars He Smoked In A Fistful Of Dollars Were “Vile”
The Actor Chose To Smoke Virginia Cigars Based On Their Appearance
The Man with No Name’s cigar smoking is one of the character’s defining traits, symbolizing his ruggedness and silent demeanor. However, Clint Eastwood was far from comfortable with this aspect of his character. Eastwood, a well-known non-smoker (via JR Cigars), found the experience of smoking cigars particularly unpleasant. He chose a specific brand of cigars for the role, aiming for visual authenticity in the Western setting, but was unprepared for their harsh taste. Eastwood’s choice, Virginia cigars, were selected for their appearance rather than their flavor, leading to an unexpectedly bitter experience for the actor. Eastwood revealed (via Independent):
“I also went out and bought a bunch of cigars that I thought would look good in a Western. I had no idea they’d taste so vile! But I brought those along with me and I gave them to props and we cut them all up. They were long cigars, called Virginia. I made a slew of them that I carried around in my pocket: different lengths to match up with different scenes.”
Advertisement
Eastwood’s commitment to the role meant enduring the “vile” taste of these cigars throughout filming. His preparation for the character extended to personalizing the lengths of these cigars to match various scenes, a testament to his dedication to authenticity. Yet, this experience underscored Eastwood’s aversion to smoking, highlighting the contrast between the actor’s personal preferences and his character’s iconic image. Eastwood’s discomfort with the cigars adds a layer of complexity to his portrayal of The Man with No Name, illustrating the lengths to which he went to embody the rugged gunslinger.
Sergio Leone Loved Eastwood’s Wardrobe Choices For A Fistful Of Dollars — Except The Poncho
Leone Sourced The Poncho Seen In The Movie From Spain
Clint Eastwood’s visual representation in A Fistful of Dollars was largely self-curated, reflecting his understanding of the character’s essence. Leone gave Eastwood the freedom to choose his wardrobe, a decision that contributed significantly to the creation of The Man with No Name’s legendary image. Eastwood’s selection included various hats and ponchos, the latter becoming an emblematic piece of the character’s attire. However, the original poncho selected by Eastwood was vetoed by Leone, leading to the selection of a different poncho sourced from Spain (via The Man with No Name).
This piece of wardrobe, though not initially chosen by Eastwood, played a crucial role in defining the character’s silhouette and adding to the mystique of the silent gunslinger. Leone’s decision to select a different poncho highlights the collaborative nature of the character’s visual design, blending Eastwood’s vision with Leone’s directorial oversight. The final look became iconic, contributing significantly to A Fistful of Dollars’ aesthetic. The success of this wardrobe choice highlights the importance of visual storytelling in cinema, illustrating how a single garment can encapsulate the essence of a character and leave an indelible mark on popular culture.