# Favorite/Best Clint Eastwood Movie **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 2, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657 "2010-06-02T16:03:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/1 "2010-06-02T16:03:32Z")
TCM ran a “world premiere” of a documentary on [Clint Eastwood](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000142/)’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? ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/2 "2010-06-02T16:08:54Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/3 "2010-06-02T16:12:23Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/4 "2010-06-02T16:14:31Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/5 "2010-06-02T16:15:36Z")
**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. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/6 "2010-06-02T16:21:42Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/7 "2010-06-02T16:23:47Z")
**Bronco Billy** **Gran Torino** ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/8 "2010-06-02T16:25:15Z")
For some odd reason I love **Escape From Alcatraz**. Seen it a million times, but for some reason it holds my attention. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/9 "2010-06-02T16:27:11Z")
**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. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/10 "2010-06-02T16:27:39Z")
1. The Outlaw Josey Wales 2. Unforgiven 3. The Eiger Sanction ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/11 "2010-06-02T16:37:48Z")
I _think_ I’ve seen every movie he was ever in. If I had to pick a favorite I’d be stuck. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/12 "2010-06-02T16:38:08Z")
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. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/13 "2010-06-02T16:43:33Z")
So many great ones. \*Eiger Sanction \*and \*Play Misty For Me \*are personal faves. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/14 "2010-06-02T16:44:15Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > 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. 🙂 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?” ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/15 "2010-06-02T16:46:45Z")
Personal favorites: **The Outlaw Josey Wales High Plains Drifter Magnum Force Unforgiven Gran Torino** ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/16 "2010-06-02T17:08:16Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/17 "2010-06-02T17:09:15Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/18 "2010-06-02T17:26:50Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/19 "2010-06-02T17:32:48Z")
Lots of great movies to choose from; my favorite is Dirty Harry. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657/20 "2010-06-02T17:49:02Z")
Unforgiven. Hands down. Anything with Sondra Locke has to be ruled out on principle. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-best-clint-eastwood-movie/541657.md?page=2)