15 films starring Clint Eastwood - Hollywood's last cowboy

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

From The Man with No Name and Dirty Harry to the old drug courier.

Clint Eastwood is a major figure in American cinema. Acting fame came to him after 30, a director's career developed after 40, but Eastwood made the best films in his life when he was already over 70.

At the words "Clint Eastwood," the imagination immediately draws the classic hero of American Westerns. Although the actor began by starring in a low-standard movie for those times. At that time, these films seemed like a silly parody of the great American cinema, and they were contemptuously nicknamed Spaghetti Westerns. And now they have become classics.

The hero of these pictures is a lone cowboy with a difficult fate, jokingly defeating the villains. This is how the famous Man without a Name once appeared in the films of Sergio Leone.

An equally important contribution to the formation of Eastwood's acting role was made by another wonderful director - Don Siegel, who gave the world Dirty Harry and thereby influenced all police action films of the following decades.

1. For a handful of dollars

• Germany, USA, Italy, Spain, 1964.
• Western film.
• Duration: 99 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

A mysterious and silent lone cowboy (Clint Eastwood) arrives in the small town of San Miguel on the border of America and Mexico. He soon learns that the city is run by two constantly rival gangs - the Rojo and the Baxters. Then the shooter decides to rock the situation and play off the warring factions.

The history of the famous spaghetti westerns began when Italian director Sergio Leone decided to create a film in a truly American spirit. Inexperienced Leone at that time managed to shoot only the historical drama Colossus of Rhodes. Therefore, neither Henry Fonda, nor James Coburn, nor Charles Bronson - the famous stars of Hollywood Westerns - did not want to appear in this project. Leone could afford only Clint Eastwood, behind whose shoulders was perhaps the filming of the cowboy series "Rawhide".

The film, which later became legendary, was shot on a tiny budget. The music for the picture was written by Leone's classmate, whose name still did not say anything to the audience and music lovers - Ennio Morricone. And Clint Eastwood bought black jeans, a hat and cigars for his character himself.

After the tremendous success of the film - only in Europe, since the release was banned in the United States - the following parts of the trilogy, later called "dollar", were released: "A few dollars more" and "The Good, the Bad, the Ugly." By the way, Eastwood's hero is usually called a Man without a Name. Although in each picture of the trilogy, he has different nicknames - Joe, Monko (One-armed) and Blondie.

2. Play me before I die

• USA, 1971.
• Crime film, drama, melodrama, thriller.
• Duration: 102 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 0.

A favorite of women, disc jockey Dave (Clint Eastwood) has an affair with one of the regular listeners of his radio show (Jessica Walter). But when it turns out that Dave has a permanent girlfriend, the offended fan begins to pursue her intractable lover everywhere.

When Clint Eastwood became a sought-after actor, in the wake of popularity he ventured to try his hand at directing. His debut tape is a psychological thriller "Play it Vague for Me", which tells about manic, destructive love.

The episodic role of the bartender was played by a very important person in Eastwood's life - the cult director Don Siegel. It was Siegel who created such famous films with Eastwood's participation as Dirty Harry, Deceived, Two Mules for Sister Sarah and Escape from Alcatraz. Fun fact is known: before starting filming, Clint jokingly made Siegel "work" by doing 11 takes.

3. Dirty Harry

• USA, 1971.
• Thriller, crime.
• Duration: 102 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

The first of five films about San Francisco Police Inspector Harry Callahan, nicknamed Dirty Harry, is about the investigation of a murderer who calls himself Scorpio - by analogy with the real maniac Zodiac.

Callahan is a morose and cynical cop. He is quite cruel and does not disdain methods, even those balancing on the brink of the law. But at the same time, Dirty Harry is fair and is determined to cleanse society of lawlessness at any cost.

Clint Eastwood performed all the stunts in the film - even the spectacular jump onto the roof of the school bus. The tape became cult and spawned four sequels. And the fourth part of the franchise - "Sudden Impact" - Eastwood directed himself.

4. High Plains Drifter

• USA, 1973.
• Western film.
• Duration: 105 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

A mysterious, nameless horseman (Clint Eastwood) arrives in a small town lost somewhere in the Wild West. People do not know why he is here, but it seems that his appearance is connected with the fate of the sheriff who was brutally murdered in these places. And now none of the indifferent townspeople who allowed this death will remain unpunished.

The original scenario assumed that the protagonist was the brother of the deceased sheriff. However, Eastwood preferred a more ambiguous interpretation. The character is free to turn out to be anyone: the ghost of the murdered man, his relative, or just a brave free shooter.

5. Josie Wales is an outlaw

• USA, 1976.
• Western film.
• Duration: 135 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 9.

The action takes place against the backdrop of the American Civil War. After a gang of Northern soldiers known as the Red Legs brutally murders the family of peaceful farmer Josie Wales (Clint Eastwood), the latter is haunted. Josie vows to get to the bandits by all means and take revenge on these inhumans.

Josie Wales was the first film in Eastwood's directing career to gain the attention of the Academy Award. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Music. And Clint Eastwood proved himself not only as a talented director, but also as an excellent actor. He managed to convincingly show the development of the character from a simple farmer to a furious reluctant killer who knows no obstacles in his path.

6. Escape from Alcatraz

• USA, 1979.
• Action, thriller.
• Duration: 112 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

The plot of the film is based on real events and follows the escape of repeat offender Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood) from Alcatraz, the most secure prison in the world. Together with two accomplices - the brothers Anglin - Frank secretly devised a clever plan, the likes of which has not yet been seen in the history of forensic science.

The film is considered one of the best directorial works of Don Siegel and went down in the history of cinema as a hymn to freedom. Moreover, the main character can hardly be called an angel. But thanks to Eastwood's charisma, it will not be difficult for the viewer to side with the seemingly negative hero.

7. Whatever one may do - you will lose

• USA, 1978.
• Comedy thriller.
• Duration: 114 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 3.

The film tells about life in the heart of America. The main character Philo Beddo (Clint Eastwood) is a good-natured hard worker, a beer lover, the best fist fighter in the whole West and the owner of an orangutan named Clyde. After Philo has run away from his capricious beloved, the hero rushes after her in pursuit.

For a long time "Whatever one may do - you will lose" was one of the most profitable films with the participation of Clint Eastwood: in the USA alone the picture was watched by more than 36 million viewers. With such a success, it is not surprising that two years later the second part was released under the title "As soon as you can".

8. Bronco Billy

• USA, 1980.
• Action, drama, melodrama, comedy, adventure, western.
• Duration: 116 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 1.

Clint Eastwood's seventh directorial is a touching story about the incorrigible idealist Bronco Billy, owner of a Wild West circus show. His affairs are already not going in the best way, and after the hero picks up the ruined ex-wife of the rich man Antoinette at the gas station, the ill-fated show awaits even more failures.

In the image of the main character played by Eastwood, the actor's attempt to ironicize himself is guessed. Clint Eastwood himself has said more than once that Bronco Billy is one of his favorite films with his own participation.

9. Singing in taverns

• USA, 1982.
• Drama, comedy, western.
• Duration: 122 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 6.

Clint Eastwood's ninth directorial revelation takes place during the Great Depression. Unlucky jazz guitarist Red Stowell (Clint Eastwood) and his nephew Whit (Kyle Eastwood) are going to audition in the city of Nashville.

"Singing in the Pubs" is a great chance to appreciate Eastwood Sr.'s enviable vocal abilities. In one of the episodes, the actor plays the guitar and performs a cover of Marty Robbins' song Honkytonk Man, which gave the title to the film.

10. Unforgiven

• USA, 1992.
• Drama, western.
• Duration: 131 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

William Munney (Clint Eastwood), a former ruthless assassin, has long since given up his dirty trade. Now he is a widower, peacefully living out his life on a farm with small children. But the circumstances do not turn out the way he wants, and the hero goes to work for the last time to deal with the bandits who offended the prostitute.

Eastwood bought the script for The Unforgiven from Francis Ford Coppola and waited 10 years until he felt he was ready to play the old shooter. So he symbolically said goodbye to the western genre. It's funny that the shoes of the hero of Clint Eastwood in this picture are the same ones in which the actor starred in the TV series Rawhide, which launched his career.

In total, the film won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director in 1992.

11. Perfect world

• USA, 1993.
• Drama.
• Duration: 138 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

Fugitive Butch Haynes (Kevin Costner) takes eight-year-old Philip Perry (T. J. Loser) hostage and tries to flee the United States by car. The irony is that a toddler who has lived his entire life in a family of Jehovah's Witnesses truly enjoys the journey - after all, much of what he has seen is new to him. And gradually Butch becomes for the child something like a father.

Clint Eastwood left the main role to Kevin Costner, and he played a minor character - the Texas ranger Red Garnett, who until the last believes that there is something good in every person.

12. Madison County Bridges

• USA, 1995.
• Drama, melodrama.
• Duration: 135 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

One of the most powerful directorial work of Clint Eastwood tells the story of love that happens once in a lifetime. An Italian named Francesca (Meryl Streep) married an American at the end of World War II and went with him to Madison County, Iowa.

Her long-term monotonous existence in the American province is disturbed by the courageous middle-aged photographer Robert Kinkade (Clint Eastwood). A married housewife and a freelance artist fall in love, but they only have four days for this relationship.

It is noteworthy that Clint Eastwood acted not only as a producer, director and performer of one of the main roles, but also wrote the music for the film. Meryl Streep's performance was especially praised by critics: the actress received Oscar, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations.

13. Million Dollar Baby

• USA, 2004.
• Sports drama.
• Duration: 132 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

In 2004, Clint Eastwood received his second award-winning directorial Oscar for the sports drama Million Dollar Baby. In the center of the plot is a poignant story of the relationship between an ambitious woman from the "white rabble" (Hilary Swank) and an experienced elderly boxing coach (Clint Eastwood).

Waitress Maggie considers boxing to be the meaning of her life and firmly wants to become a champion, despite her age over 30, not very suitable for starting a sports career. In the role of a mentor, she sees only the gloomy old man Dunn, abandoned by his own daughter. At first, he is skeptical, but gradually he is imbued with kindred feelings for Maggie.

14. Gran Torino

• USA, Germany, Australia, 2008.
• Drama, thriller.
• Duration: 116 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

The film is set against the backdrop of the dying city of Detroit. The main character Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is a veteran of the Korean War, a quarrelsome old man with a mischievous character, rude and racist. He has worked at the Ford factory all his life, just buried his wife, and the only joy he has left is his car.

A shy young man named Tao lives next door to Walt, along with his family. The old man hates neighbors, but after a while he realizes that he has more in common with these immigrants than with his own relatives.

15. Drug courier

• USA, 2018.
• Thriller, drama, detective.
• Duration: 116 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1.

Ten years after Gran Torino, Clint Eastwood is playing a Korean War veteran again. An elderly and lonely man named Earl Stone is forced to take any job, just to feed himself. When the old man is offered to become a chauffeur, he does not even suspect that he is being hired as a drug courier for the Mexican Sinaloa cartel. Meanwhile, not only the ambitious police officer Colin Bates (Bradley Cooper) is looking for the main character, but also a squad of Mexican thugs.

Despite the fact that "Gran Torino" was to be Eastwood's last acting work, the living legend did not stop there. In his film, Clint invites viewers to think about what is wrong with a society in which a flower seller loses his job and a drug courier gets richer.