TCM ran a “world premiere” of a documentary on Clint Eastwood’s career called The Eastwood Factor Sunday night as a birthday present for Clint (80).
Many of his movies were totally ignored and others were covered in some depth.
Rather than dealing with a poll, I’m curious what’s your #1 favorite of all his films? Actor or Director. Movie or TV series.
Do you own a copy of it? If so, what format? How many times have you seen it?
I like Unforgiven as my number one, but Outlaw Josey Wales, The Beguiled, and Play Misty for Me are all close seconds.
And yes, I own them on DVD and VHS. I have a bunch of Eastwood’s films.
I know most people will probably vehemently disagree with me but I’ve always prefered Pale Rider. It’s far and away my favorite western of his.
To be fair though, I could probably mention half a dozen prominent Eastwood films I’ve never seen so my opinion shouldn’t be given that much weight
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, no contest. I’ve seen it maybe half a dozen times, once in the theatre (although the screen wasn’t quite wide enough – during the opening credits, it claimed that the movie starred LINT EASTWO). I have it on DVD, of course.
Every Which Way but Loose
OK, I’m kidding with that one.
#1: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
#2: Kelly’s Heroes
Got 'em both on DVD. GBU I’ve seen all the the way through about 5 times (including during its original theatrical run). KH at least 15 times, again including in the theatre.
I’m going to have to say Pale Rider is my #1, perhaps because of its parallels with Shane which I grew attached to as an early teen. I do like Unforgiven and The Outlaw Josie Wales almost as much, but I think the way Eastwood comes to life as Preacher is more compelling than the other two big ones.
I just saw Dirty Harry and Magnum Force the other night for the first time in years. They just don’t hold up technically and story wise. The catchphrases are still cool, and the gunplay is fun, but they’re just entertainments.
The clips they showed of his monkey movies make me want to see them again, or for the first time. I have never seen at least ten movies on his acting list.
Of his directorial (no acting) films, I like Bird best, but I can’t say why beyond loving the story itself. Whitaker was not a convincing Parker for me.
ETA: Posted before seeing posts after the second one.
Bronco Billy
Gran Torino
For some odd reason I love Escape From Alcatraz. Seen it a million times, but for some reason it holds my attention.
The Outlaw Josey Wales is my pick if I get only one. Also like High Plains Drifter. Been a long time since I’ve seen any of the Dirty Harry series, but I generally like Clint better in westerns.
I think I’ve seen every movie he was ever in. If I had to pick a favorite I’d be stuck.
By the way, asking “what’s your favourite Clint Eastwood movie” is like asking “what’s your favourite amount of free money” – all answers are good. 
So many great ones. *Eiger Sanction *and *Play Misty For Me *are personal faves.
You do have a point. Perhaps a follow-up thread for “What’s your least favorite Clint Eastwood movie?” might help with the choices. Even there, it’s hard to pick.
Would you be able to answer with a straight face, “What’s your favorite Chuck Norris movie?”
Personal favorites:
The Outlaw Josey Wales
High Plains Drifter
Magnum Force
Unforgiven
Gran Torino
I love his early days.
Where Eagles Dare
Hang’em High
High Plains Drifter
Dirty Harry
For some unknown reason, I get sucked into watching Heartbreak Ridge every time it’s on, so I can hear him deliver great lines like:
“Just because we’re holding hands doesn’t mean we’ll be taking warm showers together until the wee hours of the morning.”
“Sergeant, get that contraband stogie out of my face before I shove it so far up your ass that you’ll have to stick a match up your nose to light it!”
“Why don’t I bend you over the table there… send you home with the “I just pumped the neighbor’s cat” look on your face.”
To be honest, the movie is full of great Clint one-liners, but the plot is awful.
Unforgiven is my personal fave. I just like the way it sort of explores what it might be like for the man with no name once he aged out of his wild years.
You know, this may be the first version of that explanation (that Eastwood was making some personal statement about his earlier roles and the attitudes they appeared to promote) that I can buy into. I never had the feeling that Clint was apologetic for the type of character he had played, but I do see that the spaghetti character(s) were what really launched his career beyond the relatively safe and clean Rowdy Yates guy. The international following and superstar status those movies gave him definitely propelled him into the position he has maintained since the 60’s. He has gone well beyond that level of acting and film-making, but the label those early movies put on him of being a pro-violence, gunhappy sadist must have weighed on him to whatever degree he’s not that type of person at heart.
The documentary said more than once that Clint doesn’t go after roles to “make statements” all that often. He likes telling stories and is good at doing so in a direct way. Often the directness masks some serious social commentary but it has always been secondary to the entertainment value of his efforts.
To put it differently, I had always thought the analysis of why Unforgiven was such a “great” movie because of its reference to his earlier roles was a bit flawed. Your version I can buy. And you said so in one neat sentence. Eastwood style.
Lots of great movies to choose from; my favorite is Dirty Harry.
Unforgiven. Hands down. Anything with Sondra Locke has to be ruled out on principle.