One of the most successful actors and directors that the world has ever witnessed,Clint Eastwoodremains a pop-culture icon even at the age of 94. Bursting onto the scene with his ice-cool breakout turn in Sergio Leone’sDollarstrilogy, Eastwood would go on to cement his status as cinema’s quintessential badass with his bow as anti-hero cop Harry Callahan in the wildly popularDirty Harrymovie series. Complementing hisbest movie character roleswith a string of acclaimed directorial efforts over the years, the American also boasts four Academy Award wins from 11 nominations.
A Western icon, many ofEastwood’s best moviestake place within the genre he made his name in. However, the actor has also demonstrated a penchant for starring in or directing a number of prominent war movies throughout his career. Typically bringing his accomplished style of film making to the table with great effect, Eastwood’s performances, direction, or a combination of the two have been frequently lauded by fans and critics alike. While none of his war movie character roles rank amonghis highest grossing movies, the American’s most financially successful directorial outing even lies within the war genre.
Lafayette Escadrille
Cast
Lafayette Escadrille follows a hotshot young pilot who becomes romantically involved with a French prostitute during World War I, exploring the complexities of love and duty in a time of conflict. Released in 1958, this film takes its name from the famed American volunteer flying squadron.
A 1958 war outing from William A. Wellman,Lafayette Escadrillecenters on the true story of the titular Air Force unit; a group of American volunteer pilots who fly on behalf of France during the First World War.The movie is notable for featuring Eastwood as minor supporting character George Moselyin just his third credited feature film appearance, but unfortunately, that’s about the only thing that Wellman’s picture has going for it.
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While the movie’s array of death-defying aerial sequences received some praise,Lafayette Escadrillewas largely panned by critics, with particular venom leveled towards the movie’s wooden dialog and contrived plot. In an even more unenviable accolade, the film was also disowned by all surviving members of the real-life Lafayette Escadrille, underlining its status as Eastwood’s weakest war film in sharp relief.
Firefox
Firefox is a 1982 action thriller directed by Clint Eastwood, featuring Eastwood as Mitchell Gant, a former Vietnam War pilot. Tasked with a covert mission, Gant must infiltrate the Soviet Union and steal a highly advanced jet fighter, Firefox, rumored to be undetectable by radar.
Based on the novel of the same name by Craig Thomas, 1982’sFirefoxsaw Eastwood direct and star in this action-thriller set against the backdrop of the Cold War. The man behind the Man with No Name stepped into the boots of Major Mitchell Gant on this occasion; a Vietnam War veteran pilot who is tasked with stealing the movie’s titular high-tech fighter aircraft. Invisible on radars, the Firefox also boasts weapons controlled by a brain-computer interface.
…Firefoxoften feels formulaic and predictable; a crying shame, given the apparent promise of its central narrative.
While Eastwood’s premise is undoubtedly gripping,Firefox’sexecution ultimately left a lot to be desired. While the film had its moments, the unique panache that the American was known for bringing to his movies was nowhere to be found. As such,Firefoxoften feels formulaic and predictable; a crying shame, given the apparent promise of its central narrative.
Kelly’s Heroes
Kelly’s Heroes is a war comedy film set during World War II, directed by Brian G. Hutton. Starring Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, and Donald Sutherland, the film follows a group of American soldiers who, upon discovering information about a hidden cache of Nazi gold, embark on a rogue mission to retrieve it. Balancing humor with action, Kelly’s Heroes offers a unique take on the war genre.
A comedy-drama fromWhere Eagles Daredirector Brian G. Hutton, 1970’sKelly’s Heroeschronicles the unlikely tale of a heist during WWII. Eastwood stars as the titular Kelly, the disgraced leader of a rag-tag group of American soldiers who go AWOL tosteal a vast trove of Nazi gold from a heavily fortified bank in a French town behind German lines.
Where Eagles Dare(1968)
Kelly’s Heroes(1970)
Ambitiously subverting genre stereotypes, Hutton’s satirical take on the most costly armed conflict in history was well received by critics.Kelly’s Heroesdeftly walks the line between laugh-out-loud comical and deathly serious, sidestepping its preposterous premise to produce a timeless gem. It’s a story that shouldn’t even begin to work on paper, but still manages to be relentlessly entertaining, a state of affairs aided by a typically assured leading bow from Eastwood in one of hisbest movies from the 1970s.
Heartbreak Ridge
Heartbreak Ridge, released in 1986, follows a hard-nosed Marine Gunnery Sergeant, played by Clint Eastwood, as he clashes with superiors and his ex-wife while leading a recon platoon with disciplinary issues. The film explores themes of leadership and redemption against a military backdrop.
Following an aging U.S. Marine’s efforts to train a group of undisciplined soldiers for the invasion of Grenada,1986’sHeartbreak Ridgesees Eastwood direct and star in what is arguably one of his mostcriminally underrated movies. The movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing more than $120 million against a budget of just $15 million and earning positive reviews from the vast majority of critics.
The movie’s title is drawn from the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge during the Korean War, the engagement where Eastwood’s character earned his Medal of Honor.
This state of affairs can largely be attributed to Eastwood, who turns in one of the most impressive acting performances of his illustrious career. Affording the action icon the opportunity to flex his hypermasculine muscles to the fullest extent as he licks his misfit group of soldiers into shape,Heartbreak Ridge’sexemplary dialogue can also be attributed to theGran Torinostar’s impeccable style of direction.
Flags of Our Fathers
Flags of Our Fathers is a war film directed by Clint Eastwood, based on the book by James Bradley and Ron Powers. The movie recounts the Battle of Iwo Jima, focusing on the iconic photograph of the flag raising and the soldiers involved. Through a series of flashbacks, it delves into the personal and collective experiences of the men who became symbolic heroes, examining both their wartime actions and post-war lives.
A depiction of the Battle of Iwo Jima told from the perspective of American forces, 2006’sFlags of Our Fathersis a polished war movie from Clint Eastwood. Unfortunately, the director proved to be his own worst enemy on this occasion. Released in the same year, Eastwood’s companion pieceLetters from Iwo Jimaswiftly overshadowed its American oriented predecessor, both in terms of critical reception and box office returns.
However, while it may be regarded by some as little more than aforgettable war movie boasting great battle scenes,Flags of Our Fathersis actually one of Eastwood’s finest war outings. While the box office bomb only garnered an approval rating of 76% on Rotten Tomatoes in contrast toLetters from Iwo Jima’s91%, the film still appeared on numerous critics' top ten lists for the year. Producing a heroic and respectful tribute to the real-life combatants, Eastwood’s powerful direction helps render this offering a notable hidden gem for the genre.
The Outlaw Josey Wales
The Outlaw Josey Wales is a 1976 Western film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. Set during and after the American Civil War, the film follows Josey Wales, a Missouri farmer seeking revenge for the murder of his family by Union soldiers. As he becomes an outlaw, Wales forms an unlikely band of outcasts and confronts various adversaries while struggling with his quest for vengeance and a chance at redemption.
Playing host to one of themost quotable Western movie charactersof all time, 1976’sThe Outlaw Josey Walesrepresents a cocktail of Eastwood’s best cinematic genres. The movie follows the titular character, a farmer turned formidable soldier following the murder of his wife and child during the American Civil War,who goes on to become a notorious outlaw and gunslinger after the war concludes.
The Outlaw Josey Wales’original director, Philip Kaufman, was fired at Eastwood’s request. This led to “the Eastwood rule”; a new regulation that prevents an actor or producer from sacking the director to directly take their position.
Directed by and starring Eastwood as the eponymous character,The Outlaw Josey Walesis one of the American’s most impressive offerings, irrespective of genre. Breathing life into his best Western character since the Man with No Name, Eastwood’s leading bow and textbook direction combine to produce a visceral tale of revenge that holds up in terms of quality and watchability to this day. It may not be a war movie in the traditional sense, but it’s an absolute triumph of a film.
American Sniper
American Sniper is based on the true story of U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle and his tour of duty in Iraq. The film explores his legendary career on the field as he battles hidden in enemy lines to protect his brothers in arms despite the growing bounty on his head and the havoc it wreaked on his personal life.
Spearheaded by an Academy Award-nominated bow from Bradley Cooper,American Sniperdramatizes the life story of the late Chris Kyle; one of the most prolific snipers in U.S. military history, with over 150 confirmed kills. Eastwood remains in the director’s chair for the 2014 flick,producing one of the most acclaimed war movies of the century to date with his evocative biographical offering on this elite marksman.
Earning six Oscar nominations,American Sniperreceived largely glowing reviews for Cooper’s moving lead performance and Eastwood’s direction. While certain segments of the movie play out likeblatant military propaganda, it didn’t stopAmerican Sniperfrom becoming Eastwood’s highest grossing movie of all time, with a whopping $574.4 million return at the box office. A stirring deep dive into the physical and mental scars left by armed conflict, the movie proved that Eastwood was still capable of directorial magic at the age of 84.
Where Eagles Dare
Where Eagles Dare is a gripping action thriller set during World War II, following a group of Allied commandos on a daring mission to rescue an American general held captive in a mountaintop fortress. Battling treacherous weather and enemy forces, the team must navigate deception and betrayal in a high-stakes operation. The film blends intense combat sequences with strategic espionage, delivering a suspenseful and engaging wartime adventure.
Based on the novel of the same name by legendary author Alistair MacLean,Where Eagles Darefollows what is purportedly a daring mission to rescue a captured American general from a remote fortress solely accessible by cable car, only for the movie’s narrative to swiftly morph into a web of subterfuge and deception. One of thebest war movies of the 1960s, Brian G. Hutton’s iconic entrysees Eastwood star as Lieutenant Morris Schaffer,the supporting protagonist to Richard Burton’s Major John Smith.
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Force 10 from Navarone(1978)
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Representing the archetypal strong and silent action-hero mold of 1960s cinema, the ice-cool Schaffer is one of Eastwood’s most unashamedly awesome characters. The actor lends his trademark brooding intensity and stoicism to his take on this elite soldier, serving as an integral element of a fan-favorite movie that is universally revered as a classic for the genre and wider cinema as a whole.
Letters from Iwo Jima
Letters from Iwo Jima, directed by Clint Eastwood, offers a unique perspective on the World War II battle for Iwo Jima, depicting the struggle from the viewpoint of Japanese soldiers. Released in 2006, the film serves as a companion piece to Flags of Our Fathers, highlighting different wartime experiences.
One of Eastwood’s most criminally underrated offerings, 2006’sLetters from Iwo Jimais a far superior companion piece toFlags of Our Fathers; a remarkable state of affairs given the fact that both movies were released in the same year. Chronicling theBattle of Iwo Jimafrom a Japanese perspective this time around, the war movie received critical acclaim. Earning four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture,Letters from Iwo Jimaboasts a Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of 91%.
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Eastwood doesn’t leave the director’s chair for this one, but frankly, he doesn’t need to. The American’s superb direction aids in producing a raw and deeply human portrayal of the brutal WWII engagement. Drawing attention to the moral ambiguity of both sides,Letters from Iwo Jimainvites endless introspection into the very nature of armed conflict itself. Carried by a powerhouse performance from Ken Watanabe, the masterful 2006 outing stands asClint Eastwood’s finest body of work in the war genre.
