Erbarmungslos

A cult western with Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman. It's definitely a solid piece of filmmaking, but it's probably not a film that made me fall on my ass. This western isn't about the action, as there's only one shootout at the end and it's still not worth much. It's more about the performances and the production design, which I can't fault, but I expected something more from it. I would definitely have liked a sleazy bad guy with thugs (no, a sheriff is not enough), at least one train robbery, a more spectacular shootout or a horse chase, and all of that is sadly missing here. Still, I'll give the film 70%, as I wasn't bored and it's quite good to watch, but I can't help being slightly disappointed. (11.09.2018)

Clint Eastwood has become one of the most respected American directors alongside his stellar acting career, not because he fascinated film critics and experts with his experimentation at film festivals, but because he has always been, and still is, a top-notch craftsman of the silver screen. First and foremost, he always cares about the audience and presents them with films with a strong story and interesting characters that somewhat transcend the boundaries of the given genre, but never abandon them. Therefore, both traditional genre fans and those who wanted to see film heroes and their actions more realistically or in a slightly different way found something in it for themselves. And that is precisely the case with Unforgiven. Eastwood partially demystifies the legends of the Wild West, but at the same time uses all the necessary genre props, accommodating both fans of traditional westerns and those who consider their laws naive, outdated, or not in line with historical reality. In terms of craftsmanship, there is nothing essential to criticize about the film. By the time this film came out, Eastwood was already so well-known and respected as a filmmaker that he could easily approach any top actor to act in his films. In addition, he had the doors open with producers because he was disciplined, adhered to the budget, and his films were usually highly profitable. While I'm not a big fan of traditional westerns, Unforgiven brought me joy and I have no problem giving it the highest rating. It is of high quality, professional, surprising, and atmospheric. Overall impression: 95%. (18.06.2011)

This is not the Wild West we know from old Westerns with John Wayne or the younger version of Clint. This is the stone cold reality of the late eighteenth century. The main heroes aren’t heroes at all, but ordinary people who might even miss, talk tough, fall off a horse or maybe their eyesight is just not as good anymore. Eastwood, Hackman and Freeman are great actors and the amazing finale which shatters all the Western movie clichés is just the icing on top of this extraordinary performance. (15.11.2009)

A nicely shot western that has entered history as one of the most genuine and raw in its genre. Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman deliver masterful performances, with the brutal Gene Hackman skillfully supporting them (Oscar). In addition to all of this, there is perfect camera work, brilliant editing, and a final epilogue at sunset. (08.11.2003)

A delight for all fans of western. An original story, a nice atmosphere and, in particular, excellent performances that result in a strong and rather unorthodox western in which man-to-man fights or insanely tough heroes are neither the main purpose nor the attraction. It relies mostly on the characters and their relationships, which of course is not everyone's cup of tea, and I also had rather awkward feelings throughout the film, but the great final part, when Clint Eastwood, driven by his desire for revenge, finally turns into that tough guy with damn quick reactions, cleared almost all doubts from my mind and showed me the true power of this genre. (16.09.2011)

I probably expected too much from it, but that definitely doesn't mean that it's an excellent western that stands on the border of modern understanding of western, but at the same time, it adheres to the tradition of Italian western. Clint's hero has his demons, but when it comes to the final reckoning, he is exactly the kind of badass you want. A very good western. (08.01.2016)