@immatthewj Spaghetti and Macaroni Westerns.
The Japanese called the Italian westerns “Macaroni Westerns”
Clint Eastwood was in the first 3 Sergio Leone (all co productions with other countries) westerns. A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The first was a huge success and the Italian Cinecitta Studios in Rome churned out so many in Europe. Clint Eastwood’s career finally took off “after” these films.
You mentioned Lee Van Cleef. He had retired from acting before Leone convinced him to return for the second film in the “Dollars” trilogy. He then became a bankable leading man internationally, something he never achieved in Hollywood. The Big Gundown was the first followed by Death Rides a Horse (with John Philip Law) Day of Anger, and later two of the SABATA Trilogy amongst many others.
Over 500 European co-produced spaghetti westerns were made and only a select few distributed into the US. In the UK they were more popular with the best becoming supporting films as part of a double bill. Most of the output was criticised and demonised as too violent and broke all the traditional Hollywood rules. “Django” (1966) was refused a certificate in the UK because of the ultra- violence. The west was shown dirty, ruthless and crude. Tarantino remade the Franco Nero “Django” and even reused some original music. Franco Nero was also invited back playing a cameo role.
Most Italian westerns gravitated towards a Mexico boarder area theme which reflected some European understandings and culture (for the Spanish) and became quite political in narrative.
Off topic, but you asked for more info ✔️