#5: A Fistful of Dollars

When A Fistful of Dollars hit screens in the 1960s, critics were quick to criticize nearly every aspect of the film. But what some found to be cliché or corny proved to resonate with other audiences who appreciated the satirical humor and stylistic shooting of Sergio Leone. The never-before-seen utilization of close-ups, tension, and music became defining characteristics of Spaghetti Westerns.

Ultimately the film would usher in a new wave of American cinema, and along with the rush of Westerns came the rise of the antihero. Starkly different from the generations of cowboy stars before, Clint Eastwood as the “Man with No Name” kept audiences thinking about his character long after the closing credits.