For a Few Dollars More (1965)

The second Dollars film perfected the action-western formula by pairing Eastwood's Man with No Name with Lee Van Cleef's Colonel Mortimer to hunt the psychopathic El Indio, introducing the bounty hunter theme that became a genre staple. Made for $600,000 and grossing $15 million in the US, it was the most commercially successful spaghetti western upon release—30% cheaper than #1's budget yet earning a higher domestic gross than its predecessor. Its runtime of 132 minutes is 28% shorter than #2 Once Upon a Time in the West, delivering tighter pacing while retaining Morricone's exceptional score. With a 92% audience approval rating, it balances artistry with entertainment better than the average genre film.