CLINT EASTWOOD, MASTER DIRECTOR

When most of us think of Clint Eastwood we think of the stone-faced, laconic Dirty Harry or the Man Without A Name spaghetti westerns. Would it surprise you that he has directed nearly 40 films, dating back to 1971? And that he has won two Oscars for best direction? He can, I think, be mentioned in the same breath with John Ford, Martin Scorcese and John Huston. 
His remarkable directing career begins with the very creepy Play Misty For Me (1971). Eastwood headlines as disc jockey Dave Garver, being stalked by a spurned lover (Evelyn Draper, played by Jessica Walter). The two meet in Eastwood’s favorite bar. It turns out not to be a chance meeting at all. They become lovers but it is increasingly clear that Evelyn is a real nut job. Things get worse. 
There follow two violent Westerns, very like the Sergio Leone oaters, but directed by Eastwood. High Plains Drifter (1973) with Eastwood as The Stranger is indeed strange and not for the squeamish. The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) features Clint as a Missouri farmer whose family is killed by Union troops. He seeks revenge- lots of revenge! 
A personal favorite of mine, which you may have never heard of, is Bronco Billy (1980). Eastwood is the owner and star of a Wild West Show newly burdened with rich-bitch Sondra Locke, and with assorted show biz problems. This is a charming story with an enjoyable cast, made all the better by Eastwood’s stoic presence. 
Clint Eastwood proved the Western is alive and well, and won his first directing Oscar for Unforgiven (1992). This terrific movie also won Oscars for Best Film, Best Supporting Actor (Gene Hackman), and Best Film Editing. Eastwood was nominated for Best Actor but lost to Al Pacino for Scent Of A Woman. Eastwood plays Will Munny, a somewhat reformed gun slinger now raising two children on a failing farm. He is approached by a colleague about a reward being offered for the destruction of two cowboys who are terrorizing a nearby small town. Will decides the reward will save his farm and signs on for the battle. It’s not giving away much to say that all ends well after some tense moments. This is a Hollywood movie featuring an A-list actor! But- getting there is all the fun. 
A Perfect World (1993) stars Kevin Costner as the nicest escaped convict (Butch Haynes) you’ll ever find, and Clint Eastwood as the lawman trying to catch him. The plot principally involves Haynes taking 8-year-old Phillip as a hostage and running with him to escape the pursuit of the law. Young Phillip has been raised in a strict religious home and never experienced Halloween or Christmas. He is thrilled to be introduced to these holidays by Butch. The youngster was ably played by T.J. Lowther, who continued to act but never at this level again.  
Next time: Movies from director Clint Eastwood’s middle career. 
All of the films in this article are available on DVD. All except Bronco Billy are for adult audiences.