Clint Eastwood and the Western genre go together like a canteen of whiskey and a .45 Colt. There aren’t many actors who have done more to reinvent our modern notions of the Wild West and the cowboy hero than Eastwood. With his squinted eyes, formidable personality, and the ability to convey profound emotions without uttering a single word, he has set poetry in motion.
Eastwood’s career has spanned more than 70 years, during which he has starred in dozens of classic westerns. Working his charm both in front of and behind the camera, Eastwood has graced us with the iconic ‘Man with No Name’ trilogy and directed masterworks like Unforgiven and The Outlaw Josey Wales.
Clearly, the genre holds a special place in his heart. And in several interviews over the years, Eastwood has spoken of the films that first got him passionate about the possibilities that lay at the very center of the American frontier. From Wellman’s groundbreaking Westerns to more traditional projects, the actor-director has studied the canon thoroughly. In this list, we will take a look at some of Clint Eastwood’s personal favorites, which include some of his own.
8 The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)
One of the earliest psychological Westerns out there, The Ox-Bow Incident follows two cowboys who arrive at a small Western town and learn that a local ranch owner has been murdered and his cattle stolen. Along with the townspeople, they form a posse and search for the perpetrators. When suspicion falls on three men, the posse is determined to hang them without trial. But before the party heads to the titular ox-bow to carry out the lynching, there’s an atmosphere of doubt surrounding them.
A Timeless Western
It is only fitting that the first Western on the list is one that inspired Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning film, 1992’s Unforgiven. The Ox-Bow Incident is not only a seminal work in terms of weighty storytelling, but also one that heavily influenced Eastwood’s own examinations of morality.
The film brings the terror of revenge alive and exposes the dangers of mob mentality, but it also rouses sympathy among viewers when a certain guilt is felt in the air. Eastwood admires director William A. Wellman and his experimental techniques, which is why the film endures as an unsettling but impactful analysis of society, suspicion, violence, and justice. Rent on Apple TV.
7 My Darling Clementine (1946)
My Darling Clementine
- Release Date
- December 2, 1946
- Director
- John Ford
- Cast
- Henry Fonda , Linda Darnell , Victor Mature , Cathy Downs , Walter Brennan
- Runtime
- 97 Minutes
A tender and good-hearted Western, My Darling Clementine is a classic film by John Ford. It romanticizes the gunfight at the O.K. Corral by following Wyatt Earp, who arrives in the town of Tombstone with his brothers to rest for the night. Next morning, he finds that one of his brothers has been murdered and his cattle stolen. Seeking revenge, Wyatt faces off against the notorious Clanton gang, while also beginning an awkward yet volatile courtship with Clementine.
Melancholy Tone, Legendary Characters
Ford crafts a grand and poetic movie, which ultimately shapes a golden era of Westerns. With Henry Fonda playing Wyatt with melancholic charm and Linda Darnell matching his vulnerable undercurrent, the breezy film was sure to make history. Throughout the runtime, My Darling Clementine maintains both action and appeal, but its delicate portrayal of flawed individuals experiencing violence and longing is what particularly resonated with Eastwood.
While accepting a prestigious award in 2012, Eastwood said of John Ford, “Anyone would be flattered to be spoken of in the same breath as him. [I am a] huge admirer of his craft as a pioneer of American filmmaking who broke down all the clichés of his era.” There is no denying the fact that one can find the same spirit of character-driven narratives echoing in Eastwood’s own films. Rent on Apple TV.
6 Red River (1948)
Red River
- Release Date
- September 7, 1948
- Director
- Howard Hawks , Arthur Rosson
- Cast
- John Wayne , Montgomery Clift , Joanne Dru , Walter Brennan , Coleen Gray
- Runtime
- 133 Minutes
Categorized among the handful of Westerns with a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Red River is Howard Hawks’ most accomplished work of all time. It tells the tale of a massive cattle drive all the way from Texas to Missouri. The drive is led by rancher Thomas Dunson, who worked hard his entire life and rose to a tyrannical status. As the trial progresses, Dunson faces a mutiny formed by his adopted son, Matt Garth, who opposes his harsh behavior and violent ways. Their battle against the backdrop of a changing American frontier paints an unseen, epic vision.
Complex In Spirit, Epic In Scope
Red River stands as an icon of the genre due to its celebration of grit, loyalty, and independence in the Wild West. Under the sublime direction of Hawks, and the soulful and nuanced performances of John Wayne and Montgomery Clift, the sweeping visuals of the movie as well as the tense character dynamics play out phenomenally well.
According to critics, “Wayne [had] his best assignment to date, and he makes the most of it,” which is to praise his complex and relentless hero. Red River gave birth to notions that Eastwood would adapt into his own innovative and psychological stories, and because of that, it is one of his favorite Westerns. Stream on Tubi TV.
5 The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
Apart from Ford, Clint Eastwood truly finds himself fascinated by director John Huston’s works, particularly this 1948 film. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre follows three men (two downtrodden and one old prospector) as they join forces in search of gold in post-revolutionary Mexico. The closer they get to the fortune, the more suspicious they get of each other in the wild and lawless land. The movie sees them facing hunger, strong winds, and greed.
The Human Nature Harbors Darkness
Nothing short of an exploration of humanity’s descent into Hell, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is a raw and unflinching Western. Starring Humphrey Bogart, Tim Holt, and Walter Huston, the movie presents the actors at their finest, most monstrous selves. For his unmatched direction, Huston won the Academy Award for Best Director, along with the movie winning several other accolades. Eastwood has conveyed his love for the movie, praising it as a startling and formative work. Rent on Apple TV.
4 The Great Silence (1968)
Next on the list is The Great Silence, directed by one of the most significant Italian western directors, Sergio Corbucci. The movie is set against the black canvas of Utah, right before the Great Blizzard of 1899. It follows a mute gunslinger who fights to protect a group of outlaws and a young widow against cruel injustice inflicted upon them by bounty killers and a corrupt banker.
A Tale of Redemption
Inspired by the deaths of Che Guevara and Malcolm X, The Great Silence is a politically charged film that critiques capitalist greed and violence against the weak. Clint Eastwood, who himself is known for his iconic roles in Spaghetti Westerns, admires Corbucci for his brilliant film. From the wordless hero and the silent suffering to the examination of familiar tropes in a philosophical light, there’s little to not like about the movie. Overall, The Great Silence leaves a lasting impression on the viewers. Stream on Hoopla.
3 The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
Among all of Clint Eastwood’s favorite Westerns, he directs and stars in two of them. In The Outlaw Josey Wales, Eastwood plays the titular character, who turns to a Confederate guerrilla band after Union militants kill his family. All he wants is revenge, but in the process, Wales establishes himself as a formidable gunfighter. After the war, Wales tries to make a quiet life for himself, but when the Union soldiers decide to bring him to justice, dead or alive, he’s forced to become an outlaw.
Eastwood’s Ode to Outlaws
Having taken a lot of inspiration from Westerns that came before, Eastwood fabricated a complex portrait of a man stripped bare of all he cared about – a family, a home, a life. He allows a glimpse into Wales in ways few actors could. As for the direction, he used a sensitive and dignified lens, admiring landscapes, mythology, and the American frontier. Moreover, like his other films, The Outlaw Josey Wales creates an atmosphere of nation-building. Rent on Apple TV.
2 Unforgiven (1992)
Only four Westerns have ever won an Academy Award for Best Picture, and Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven is one of them. It is every genre fan’s favorite movie, not just Eastwood’s. The plot centers around an aging former gunfighter named William Munny who takes one last job to pay for his farm and make sure his two young children don’t go hungry. The job is to pursue two cowboys who disfigured a young woman, but in Will’s way is another group of gunfighters led by the florid English Bob.
A Career-Defining Masterpiece
By the time Unforgiven was released, the Western genre had fully evolved (maybe even reached a pinnacle) in terms of characterization and storytelling. And yet, it proved there was more innovation possible. Subverting conventions with its dark tone and realistic themes, the movie delivered a morally ambiguous anti-hero in the form of Eastwood’s Will Munny. The actor/director received universal acclaim for his performance and direction, and the film’s success made it a masterpiece. Stream on Tubi TV.
1 The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
From the genius mind of director Andrew Dominik, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is among the more recent Westerns that Clint Eastwood admires. It tells the story of the notorious and feared American outlaw Jesse James and his relationship with Roberts Ford, a young man who admired James and sought his approval after joining his gang. But as their bond grew stronger, Ford became resentful and jealous of James and eventually set in motion a plan to murder him.
An Intense And Atmospheric Western
The 2007 film starring Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck is expertly crafted. Its lush cinematography, period details, and intricate character psychology immerse you directly into the narrative. The film was Affleck’s breakout performance, and he was mesmerizing as Robert Ford. As for Pitt, he showcases an incredible range as the scary and equally appealing Jesse James. Critics lauded the movie as “a masterpiece and one of the best films of the year,” while Eastwood praised its unsentimental gaze into the story of two souls battling envy, honor, and time. Rent on Apple TV.
