Eastwood on Eastwood

This is one of several short films included on the bonus disc for "Unforgiven". This is narrated by John Cusack (who talks in a raspier--more Eastwood-like voice than usual) as well as Eastwood himself--who talks to the viewer.

The biggest deficit of this film is that it came out in 1997--well before many of the best films Eastwood directed (such as "Gran Torino" and "Million Dollar Baby"). In other words, it sure would be great if they would update this film or create a new one to address the entirety of his career.

The show isn't so much a biography but a filmography. It begins with his early Universal Studios bit parts then progresses to his TV appearances on "Rawhide". Then his film career is discussed--beginning with his Italian westerns and moving to his American-made films with Don Siegel (such as "Dirty Harry"). Then it discusses the films he directed and makes its way to the present day of 1997. All in all, quite interesting but it just isn't complete enough.

By the way, I would have LOVED to have heard Eastwood talking about his starring in "Paint Your Wagon"--a memorable film because Eastwood was so inappropriately cast. Instead, oddly, they talked a lot about "The Beguiled"--a rather bad Eastwood film--and one most folks have never seen. Also, it seemed odd that they talked about the Dirty Harry films in depth--but not "Magnum Force". And no mention of specific Italian westerns....odd.

An interesting documentary that was shown on a cable station not too long ago. Directed by Richard Schickel, a film critic, and director, whose specialty is to chronicle screen luminaries. The director, whose love for films shows in his other pieces presents his viewers people whose work, and lives merit examination. Mr. Schickel's subject on this 1997 made for television documentary is a man with a long and rewarding film career, both as a performer and as a canny director: Clint Eastwood.

If there is a man that deserves this loving tribute is Mr. Eastwood. He has been involved in the film industry for quite a while. He is a talented man that has given movie fans the best of himself. The documentary follows Mr. Eastwood in chronological order from his early television success in "Rawhide" to the 'spaghetti westerns" that follow, to his Hollywood career in front, and behind the camera. Mr. Eastwood love for music, and jazz, in particular, gives the viewer an inside of the man that has successfully incorporated this truly American expression in song to most of his work.

The film is narrated by John Cusack. One can highly recommend it to Mr. Eastwood fans for the treat it is to sit through its short 68 minutes running time. Kudos to Mr. Schickel for his own take on one of the most original and talented men of the world of films.

"Eastwood on Eastwood" was originally a TNT cable special broadcast in 1997.The documentary was written,produced and directed by Richard Schickel,film critic for TIME magazine since the early '70's.He also wrote "Eastwood" the authorized biography in 1995.Mr.Schickel has also written and produced documentaries on actor Gary Cooper,Director Alfred Hitchcock,Director Stanley Kubrick and many others.He also made the entertaining documentary "Happy Anniversary 007:25 Years of James Bond" which was broadcast on network television in 1987.He also made "From Star Wars to "Jedi":The Making of a Saga" a terrific documentary about the "Star Wars Trilogy" from 1986.And,he has worked on some documentaries for The American Film Institute.

"Eastwood on Eastwood" is narrated by actor John Cusack who worked with Clint Eastwood on "Midnight in The Garden of Good and Evil" in 1997.That film also starred Kevin Spacey and Alison Eastwood,his then twenty-something daughter who also appears in this documentary.This tells of Eastwood growing up during The Great Depression to his two years in the U.S. Army to his days as a contract player doing mostly bit parts in low budget B-movies in the 1950's to his early years doing the television series "Rawhide" to the Italian "spaghetti" Westerns in the 1960's to his hit movies in the 1970's when he became a top box-office draw,a few times being the No.1 box-office attraction in the world, all the way up to the 1990's when he became an Oscar winning producer and director.In 1996 he won The American Film Institutes' Lifetime Achievement Award which is considered by the film community the greatest honor an actor or director can receive,even more than The Academy Award.

This features many film clips and the highlight is the interview and commentary by Eastwood himself on his personal favorite film roles.This runs just over 90 minutes,is digitally processed so the picture and sound is terrific.I have been a Clint Eastwood fan since around 1972 and I believe my fellow Eastwood fans will enjoy this documentary as much as I did.