Most film fans know the legendary Clint Eastwood for the Spaghetti Westerns of the 60s, the Dirty Harry Series, High Plains Drifter (1973), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), Unforgiven (1992), In The Line of Fire (1993), Million Dollar Baby (2004), Gran Torino (2008), The Mule (2018) and numerous others.
Eastwood is also known for his efforts solely as
an auteur for films such as Mystic River (2003), Changeling (2008), Letters
from Iwo Jima (2006), Flags of Our Fathers (2006), Invictus (2009), and Richard
Jewell (2019).
But the nature of superstardom is such that the
audiences expect predictability, in Eastwood’s case he was expected to be the
stoic, laconic, anti-hero with a firearm in his holster.
But Eastwood also broadened his artistic horizons
by making 'smaller' films that explored the human condition. He even
played against type and explored themes usually untouched in mainstream
cinema. This is probably the secret to his longevity as a star. He is
as respected as a great artistic talent as he is loved as a star. These
were unfortunately overshadowed by his popular films.
On the occasion of his 92nd birthday
here are 10 of Eastwood's lesser-known pictures, sorted in no particular
order of eminence.
Coogan’s Bluff (1968)
Eastwood played a Deputy Arizona sheriff who is dispatched to New York City to bring back an escaped convict. But things do not always go as planned. The film ably depicts the disparities between rural America and the big city that still prevails. This can be seen as the first step of Eastwood transitioning from a western anti-hero to a cop in an immoral city that has devolved into a dungeon of hustlers, prostitutes, junkies, and hippies. It paired Eastwood with director Don Siegel for the first time, and they eventually went on to make Dirty Harry.
The Beguiled (1971)
Don Siegel’s gothic tale of a wounded soldier
offered shelter in an all-girls seminary at the backdrop of the Civil War. This
is a riveting depiction of desire, bitter jealousy, rage, and sexual
repression. Clint Eastwood plays against type as the stranger unremorseful of
exploiting his situation with the ladies at the school to his advantage.
Play Mistry for me (1971)
This marked Eastwood’s directorial debut. Eastwood
plays a radio jockey who becomes the object of obsession of a female fan.
Unlike the tough and resourceful character he is known for, Eastwood plays a
hapless victim who finds himself outwitted by a female fan. The music in this
film is like a principal character. Eastwood’s understated and calm manner of
telling his story works most effectively. Misty was the first film of its
kind and inspired films such as Fatal Attraction.
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1973)
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot launched Michael Cimino’s directorial career. Eastwood plays a Korean War hero turned bank robber who along with a brash young drifter (a young Jeff Bridges) plans one last heist. The film is funny, clever, and heartbreaking with plenty of clever twists. It has terrific performances by all.
The Gauntlet (1977)
Eastwood directs and stars as Ben Shockley, a
scruffy, inept, laid-back, and often inebriated lawman. Shockley is tasked with
escorting a cantankerous but attractive criminal (Sondra Locke) from Vegas
to Arizona for a mob trial. Eastwood’s character is perhaps the anti-Harry
Callahan. The film works because of the chemistry between its leads, some
handsomely mounted action scenes, and a twist at the very end. Roger
Ebert called it "a cheerfully preposterous with a lot of style”
Bronco Billy (1980)
Eastwood directs and stars as the titular
character who is the leader of the struggling “Bronco Billy Wild West Show,”
desperately trying to keep his head above the water despite the declining
public interest. This is a bitter-sweet tale that pays tribute to almost
extinct “wild west” troupes. There is an air of pathos and nostalgia to this
drama. There was also a touch of lightness that was reminiscent of the works of
Frank Capra.
Honkytonk Man (1982)
Eastwood plays a 1930s country singer on his way
to audition at the Grand Ole Opry. His
nephew becomes his companion on the road. Together they compose the title song,
which could be the ticket to fame and fortune that had eluded him all his life.
The film was directed with great sensitivity by Eastwood. The performances were
first-rate, with Eastwood showing his vulnerable side
Tightrope (1984)
Eastwood plays a New Orleans
detective on the hunt for a serial killer. He has also been tormented by
the moral decline of his surroundings and his own sexual proclivities that may
be similar to that of the serial killer. Eastwood explores the darker aspects
of this character. This is an intriguing thriller with a Nietzschean subtext.
White Hunter Black Heart (1990)
Eastwood directs and stars as an egomaniacal but
genius filmmaker determined to hunt an elephant while making his opus in
Africa. The film is loosely based on John Huston's antics while location
scouting and shooting The African Queen. Clint Eastwood adopts
cadences and mannerisms that were based on Huston to create an intriguing character
who is morally ambiguous, insensitive, uncaring, and self-centered. He goes to
darker places as he explores the uncharted jungles of Africa.
Bridges of Madison County (1995)
This is based on Robert James Waller's novel of
the same name. Eastwood plays Robert Kincaid, the National Geographic
photographer who has a chance encounter with Francesca Johnson, an Iowa
housewife. They end up having a passionate affair that alters their lives
forever. The film is beautifully shot and directed by Eastwood with great
maturity and restraint. Eastwood directs a career-best performance from Meryl
Streep.
PS: Some have said this was his strongest performance off-screen
Also appears on American Thinker
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