Where was A Fistful of Dollars filmed?
1964
City Locations
Almeria, Madrid (Spain); Rome (Italy)
Location Types
Ranch, Film Studio
Location Styles
Southwestern, Dilapidated/Neglected, Building Dated/Retro, Colonial, Desert, Ranch Style
About A Fistful of Dollars
A Fistful of Dollars is a classic Spaghetti Western movie from 1964, directed by the famous Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone. It features Clint Eastwood's debut as a leading actor. Set in the 19th-century American Southwest, it follows a mysterious stranger who arrives in a small border town and offers his services to two rival gangs. This innovative film kickstarted the immensely popular “Dollars” trilogy, which also features For a Few Dollars More (1965) and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966).
The plot of A Fistful of Dollars draws heavily from Akira Kurosawa's 1961 film Yojimbo. It follows an enigmatic outsider as he takes on both gangs simultaneously, outwitting them by manipulating their mutual distrust for his gain. Although not as action-packed or grand-scaled as its sequels, A Fistful of Dollars features all the stylistic hallmarks that define Leone's particular brand of Western filmmaking: extreme close-ups, ominous music from Ennio Morricone, and a deceptively simple story made complex by silence and subtlety.
A Fistful of Dollars received immense commercial success upon its release and has since gone on to become one of cinema's most iconic films. During its time in theaters, the film received several nominations and won one award. The Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists recognized Ennio Morricone's score as the Best Score. In 1989, the United States Library of Congress deemed the film "culturally significant" enough to be selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
A Fistful of Dollars Locations
The iconic 1964 Spaghetti Western A Fistful Of Dollars gave viewers some of the most memorable cinematic moments in movie history. But without its unique and captivating backdrop, the film wouldn't have achieved such widespread success. Most scenes in A Fistful of Dollars were filmed in various locations across Spain, including Hoyo de Manzanares near Madrid, the Tabernas Desert in Almería, and Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park in Almería.
These regions serve as a stunning backdrop for the film's action, lending a classic Wild West vibe to the movie that was hard to find anywhere else. The film captures different areas, including Rojo House (Casa de Campo) and San Miguel town (which features Los Albaricoques). The duel scenes were filmed on a western street set located at Hoyo De Manzanares, which is situated north of Madrid, and San Miguel main street (filmed in Hoyo de Manzanares). Each location contributes a unique ambiance that adds to the movie's overall style.
The Tabernas Desert is particularly noteworthy; this barren landscape makes for a perfect Western movie set that has featured prominently in many famous films over the years, making it a popular destination among movie buffs eager to soak up some of that cinematic atmosphere for themselves. Its towering rock formations that contrast with flat sand stretches provide plenty of visual interest and add an extra layer of authenticity to many scenes.
It goes without saying that taking a trip to Spain and retracing these locations from A Fistful Of Dollars would be an absolute must if you're looking for an unforgettable experience. From its breathtaking backdrops to its selection of small villages and cities, each one offering something new and exciting, this is undoubtedly one journey worth embarking on.
Interior scenes in A Fistful of Dollars
Cinecittà Studios, Via Tuscolana, 1055, 00173 Roma RM, Italy
In April 1964, the film production started filming at Cinecitta Studios in Rome. The entire movie took 11 weeks to make, with approximately eight or nine days spent shooting the interior scenes of the pub, hacienda, and some house scenes at the studio.
As the first Spaghetti Western, it encountered some challenges during production, especially with managing the actors' schedules. However, they successfully resolved these issues while filming the interior scenes and later moved to Spain to shoot the outdoor scenes. As a visitor, you can explore three exhibitions at Cinecitta Studios that showcase the process of film production.
To visit Cinecitta Studios in Rome, Italy, one can easily take a train or bus from Termini Station and arrive there within 40 minutes. If traveling by car, one needs to take Via Casilina and follow it until reaching Cinecitta Station, where you will find parking nearby.
The Man with No Name arrives at the Mexican town scene in A Fistful of Dollars
Cortijo El Sotillo, Carretera Entrada San José, s/n, 04118 San José, Spain
The opening scene in A Fistful of Dollars is set in the little Mexican border town of San Miguel. The tension between two powerful families, the Rojo brothers (Antonio Prieto, Sieghardt Rupp, and Gian Maria Volontè) and Sheriff John Baxter (Wolfgang Lukschy) is palpable as they vie for control of the town. The Man with No Name (Clint Eastwood) appears seemingly out of nowhere to add another layer to the tense atmosphere. He stands tall amid the small town streets, an imposing figure who quickly draws attention from both sides of the conflict.
This scene was filmed at Cortijo El Sotillo, located in Cabo de Gata nature preserve near San José Beach in Spain. It is a refurbished 18th-century country house situated 700 meters from the beach and blends harmoniously into its environment thanks to its traditional architecture.
Cortijo El Sotillo is easily accessible from San José Beach by car or bus. Expect your journey from San José to this filming location to take less than five minutes.
Stranger observes the Mexican soldiers at the river scene in A Fistful of Dollars
El río de aldea del fresno, 28620 Aldea del Fresno, Madrid, Spain
In the river scene, the Stranger (Eastwood) watches as a group of Mexican soldiers guard a shipment of gold. However, they are suddenly attacked and killed by the Rojo gang. The Rojo gang is wearing American uniforms, and Ramon Rojo is seen leading his men. This iconic scene has been cited as an early example of Eastwood’s Spaghetti Western style, which would go on to become synonymous with him. His character in this movie also marked the start of his ‘Man with No Name’ persona and helped cement Eastwood’s status as an icon in American cinema.
The filming location for the scene was at Aldea Del Fresno near Madrid, Spain, on the banks of the River Alberche. It is located about 30 miles from Madrid, making it quite accessible for visitors who wish to pay homage to this classic Western movie. Visitors can easily access the location and experience the ambiance of the area.
To get there, head southwest from Madrid via the A-5 and M-507. Expect the journey to take around 45 minutes.
The duel between the stranger and the four Baxter gunmen scene in A Fistful of Dollars
Hoyo de Manzanares, 28240 Madrid, Spain
The scene depicting the duel between Eastwood and the four Baxter gunmen is truly iconic. In this sequence, Eastwood’s character is dressed in his trademark poncho with a white cowboy hat to match. This scene has been referenced multiple times over the years due to its fascinating visuals and Eastwood’s now-famous “My mule don’t like people laughing” line.
The duel scenes were filmed on the western street set at Hoyo De Manzanares, north of Madrid, Spain. This area is known for its beautiful landscapes that add an atmosphere of classic Spain to any movie. This picturesque area features rolling hills and perfectly captures the essence of a traditional Western setting. Fans of the film can take guided tours through Hoyo De Manzanares and visit historical sites associated with A Fistful of Dollars. It was also used as a filming location for many other films, such as Django Kill (1967) and For a Few Dollars More (1965).
To get there, visitors can fly into Madrid Airport and then catch a taxi or rent a car for their journey to Hoyo de Manzanares—approximately 40 minutes away, depending on traffic.
The Rojos’ hacienda scene in A Fistful of Dollars
Casa de Campo, 28011 Madrid, Spain
A crucial scene takes place at the Rojos' hacienda. As the Rojos and Baxter gangs are busy, the Stranger takes this opportunity to search inside the hacienda. This is where he finds Marisol (Marianne Koch), an unwilling mistress of Ramon Rojo (Gian Maria Volonté), and accidentally knocks her out when she unexpectedly surprises him. To make up for his mistake, the stranger arranges a prisoner swap between the Rojos and Baxters, which facilitates Marisol's release.
The location chosen to film this memorable scene was the Casa De Campo property in Madrid, Spain. Built in the early 16th century mostly for use by Spanish royalty and nobility, it is now open to everyone as a public park and green space. It offers visitors attractions such as an amusement park, a lake called Lago de la Casa de Campo, and a zoo. In addition to these attractions, it also features several cafes, restaurants, and picnic areas, making it ideal for weekend getaways or day trips.
To get to this location from Madrid city center, you can easily take the road and head to the northwest. The approximately six-mile journey can be completed in around 25 minutes.
Marisol is taken hostage scene in A Fistful of Dollars
Tabernas Desert, Almería, Spain
The scene where Marisol is held captive by her cruel brother-in-law in a pub and incessantly harassed by him was filmed near the town of Almeria. Amid the commotion, Marisol's son Jesús (Nino del Arco) rushes to her aid, followed by her husband Julio (Daniel Martín). As the family reunites, one of Ramón's henchmen, Rubio (Benny Reeves), is instructed to kill Julio for disobeying Ramón's order to leave town.
The canyon scenes in the movie were filmed in the Tabernas Desert, while the indoor scenes were filmed with great attention to detail. This is because technical elements like lighting and sound were essential to filming. Aside from its rich cinematic history, the Tabernas Desert boasts breathtaking views of rocky formations and mountainous terrain, making it an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
To get to the Tabernas Desert, you can take a flight to Almeria Airport, which is about 30 minutes away. From there, you can take a bus or hire a taxi to take you directly to the desert.
Conclusion
A Fistful of Dollars is a Spaghetti Western classic featuring Clint Eastwood at his finest. The film is widely regarded as one of the most influential productions in movie history, spawning numerous imitators and inspiring other filmmakers such as George Lucas and Quentin Tarantino.
Eastwood was perfectly cast for his role as the mysterious anti-hero that rides into San Miguel on his mule. His character is icy and cynical but still manages to connect with viewers. With his unique style of talking, intense stares, and smoldering expressions, he remains an iconic presence in cinema today. The script was also engaging, telling a simple story about justice, greed, and revenge without being too formulaic or preachy.
The film's visual presentation was also impressive, especially for its time. Everything from the barren landscape to colorful costumes was captured beautifully. The cinematography often creates a sense of tension that fits perfectly with the story's tone. So if you’re planning a Spanish vacation, it’s well worth including trips to a few A Fistful of Dollars filming locations in your travel itinerary.