By virtue of his impactful seven decades in the film industry, actor/producer/director Clint Eastwood is thought of as an American icon. He has had many important films (for a variety of reasons) over his career and as such deserves such a film collection. This one focuses on his time with Universal Pictures spanning from 1968 to 1975. It was a time where he cemented his reputation in the Western genre as well as spread his wings into other genres and even started directing films.
The first three films are Westerns. Due to his ability to wither even the most confident man with his steely glare and his screen presence, Clint Eastwood was a natural for Westerns. He began playing cowboys on television and then moved on to the big screen. Eastwood made an impact because he did not take on your typical cowboy roles and helped to expand the limits of the genre.
Two Mules for Sister Sara directed by Don Sieger:
A cowboy (Clint Eastwood) rescues a nun (Shirley MacLaine – Terms of Endearment, Being There) from three cowboys. He finds out that the French are chasing after her but not for the reason she tells him. As he is doing some scouting work decides to agree to help her in exchange for some inside information about the French fort. The two become close in their time together though Sara’s secret does cause plenty of problems.
High Plains Drifter directed by Clint Eastwood:
The Stranger (Clint Eastwood) arrives in the newly established of Lago. It is obviously that the townspeople are in over their heads when it comes to three gunmen just released from prison, who seem to be running things. After The Stranger demonstrates he can take care of himself they decide to hire him to protect them.
Special Features:
-Theatrical Trailer
Joe Kidd directed by John Storges:
A former bounty hunter (Clint Eastwood) is hired by a wealthy landowner (Robert Duvall – The Godfather, Apocalypse Now) to help end a range war with a band of Mexican revolutionaries. His loyalties become divided when he falls for a beautiful rebel.
Special Features:
-Theatrical Trailer
The next four films are thrillers with two being action and the other two being psychological. Included is his directorial debut, Play Misty for Me.
Coogan’s Bluff directed by Donald Siegel:
An Arizona deputy (Clint Eastwood) who does not speak much angers the sheriff so he is sent on an assignment in New York City. There he is to collect a behind bars accused murderer for transport back to Arizona to stand trial. One thing leads to another and the killer escapes so the hunt for him is on.
The Beguiled directed by Donald Siegel:
Set during the Civil War. A severely injured Union soldier (Clint Eastwood) is taken in by the headmistress of an all-girls school in the South. While he is recovering he realizes that he cannot really trust her or her students.
Play Misty for Me directed by Clint Eastwood:
Radio disc jockey Dave (Clint Eastwood) embarks in a brief fling with a listener named Evelyn (Jessica Walter – from television’s Archer). After thinking it is over after their one night together Dave realizes that Evelyn is not well mentally and is stalking him. She attacks his maid, trashes his house, busts in on a business lunch, and even attacks his new girlfriend, Tobie (Donna Mills – from television’s Knots Landing).
The Eiger Sanction directed by Clint Eastwood:
A paid assassin (Clint Eastwood) has to come out of retirement after a friend is murdered. He has to travel to the Swiss Alps and join up with a climbing group to try and uncover who is the Russian killer.
Special Features:
-Clint Eastwood Directs and Acts
-Play it Again…A Look Back at Play Misty for Me
-The Beguiled, Misty, Don and Clint
-Theatrical Trailers
