There are three movies thatClint Eastwoodconsiders to be his biggest career risks, but only one paid off at the box office. Despite the stardom Eastwood achieved as the “Man with No Name” in Sergio Leone’sDollarstrilogy, it still took a few years for him to break through in America. The movie that truly cemented him wasDirty Harry, a controversial 1971 thriller that nonetheless was a gigantic success, and led to one of the fewClint Eastwood movie franchises.
Eastwood’s screen persona quickly became that of the stoic man of action who said little - but always had a dry quip ready when required. From the 1970s through to the 1990s, most of his biggest hits came in the thriller or action genres, fromThe Gauntletright on down toIn the Line of Fire. That’s not to say he didn’t take any chances as a performer though, and in between the diet of thrillers orClint Eastwood Westerns, he rolled the dice on several projects.
Clint Eastwood’s Favorite Western Of His Own Isn’t What You’d Expect
Bronco Billy is one of Clint Eastwood’s most obscure Westerns, but the story is so personal to director/star he considers it one of his best.
Eastwood Considers The Beguiled, Honkytonk Man & Broncho Billy As His Biggest Risks
Clint also felt Unforgiven wouldn’t be commercial
During a 1996 conversation withCharlie Rose, Eastwood was asked which of his films he considered the biggest swings. In short succession,Clint citedThe Beguiled,Honkytonk ManandBronco Billyas his biggest gambles, largely because they “were away from character.“Indeed, none of the three Eastwood cited as risks are action movies or crime thrillers, withThe Beguiledbeing a creepy, gothic thriller while bothBronco BillyandHonkytonk Manare moving character studies.
Bronco Billyis the sweetest of the bunch, with Eastwood’s title character leading a traveling Wild West show filled with misfits and dreamers. The film itself is a metaphor for the life of an actor, and it can’t be a mistake that the story feels like a commentary on the waning popularity of Westerns.Honkytonk Manis a musical drama set during the Great Depression, where Eastwood’s dying singer takes his nephew on a road trip while he tries to reach an important audition.
Honkytonk Man has a real warmth about it, especially as Clint Eastwood’s nephew is played by his son, Kyle.
The film features arguably the biggest loser role Eastwood has played and might be the furthest from his tough guy screen image it’s possible to get. It’s also one of the star’s darker dramas and features a rare instance of one of his characters dying. Still,Honkytonk Manhas a warmth about it too, especially as Eastwood’s nephew is played by his son, Kyle.The Beguiledranks among Clint’s most bizarre, experimental efforts, being a mix of horror, erotic drama and Southern Gothic.
It also finds Clint’s character being emasculated constantly by the women around him - another subversion of his manly screen image at that time. In the same Charlie Rose conversion,Eastwood admits he didn’t thinkUnforgivenwould be a success either. The film pokes holes in the myth of the Old West, underling the ugly and lonely nature of taking another person’s life - even if they “deserve it.” On paper,Unforgiven’sdemystification of the Western didn’t spell box office gold, but it was a critical and commercial darling upon release.
The Beguiledwas later remade by director Sofia Coppola in 2017, with Colin Farrell stepping into the Clint Eastwood role.
Only One Of These Eastwood Risks Was A Hit
Audiences didn’t exactly line up for Honkytonk Man in 1982
It’s interesting to track Eastwood’s career choices, where he seemed to balance commercial movies with more personal choices. He must have known something likeHonkytonk Manwasn’t going to be a big earner, but that same year,Clint also directed effects-heavy blockbusterFirefox. This “One for them, one for me” work ethic served him well, but out of the three projects Eastwood considered his big risks,onlyBronco Billywas a success, earning over $24 million at the domestic box office(viaBox Office Mojo).
The Beguiledgrossed only a measly $1.1 million, whileHonkytonk Manjust about doubted its $2 million production budget. It should be noted that the trio all received warm reviews, but it wasBronco Billy’ssense of whimsy and nostalgia that made it a comfortable success in 1980.It speaks to how big a star Eastwood was that he could get greenlights for projects that were almost destined not to perform well, though his reputation for turning in movies on time and for modest budgets probably helped alleviate those risks.
Bronco Billy Is Clint Eastwood’s Favorite Movie Of His Own
Eastwood loves the earnest message behind Bronco Billy
Bronco Billyfeels largely forgotten now and rarely comes up in retrospective discussions of Eastwood’s back catalog. This is a pity because it functions both as a quirky drama about a dreamer and a reflection of its star’s own screen image. He has cited it many times as one of his personal favorites, andClint labeledBronco Billy’sunderlying theme as one of “…a dreamer who made dreams come true”(viaTelevisionVanguard). In the movie, Billy tries to stay true to the cowboy ethos - but finds that easier said than done in a cynical modern world.
$1.1 million
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He and his gang want to live in a fantasy world, even when changing tastes and waning popularity threaten that way of life.Bronco Billysubverts Western formula at every turn too; Billy is left utterly humiliated when a tough sheriff forces him to beg for his friend’s release from jail, and the crew’s attempt to rob a train goes comically awry. It’s one of Eastwood’s sweetest efforts though, and it’s easy to see why he holds such fondness for it.
Clint Eastwood Has Taken Many Risks As An Actor & Director
Eastwood has rolled the dice constantly throughout his career
He might hold upThe Beguiled,Bronco BillyandHonkytonk Manas prime examples, but looking at Eastwood’s filmography, it’s peppered with gambles.White Hunter Black Heartis a 1990 drama where Eastwood’s maverick director (inspired by the late, great John Huston) is obsessed with hunting an elephant while filming in Africa. It’s an intimate character study inside an expensive period drama, andwhile it grossed only $2 million on a budget of $24 million,White Hunter Black Heartis another of his most underrated works.
Every Which Way but Loose is Clint’s biggest movie - when adjusted for inflation - but he recalls everyone trying to talk him out of making it.
The Bridges of Madison Countyis an unabashed romantic weepie from 1995 - and one hardly aimed at Clint’s core fanbase. Regardless, the gambit paid off in great reviews and a healthy $182 million gross.Every Which Way but Looseis Clint’s biggest movie - when adjusted for inflation - but he recalls everyone trying to talk him out of making it. A comedy pairing him with a funny orangutan again didn’t feel like an obvious success story, but it beat bad reviews to become one of 1978’s highest earners.
Eastwood has taken many other risks, from the dark psychosexual thrillerTightropetoMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evilto supernatural dramaHereafter. At the height of his stardom,Clint Eastwoodwas completely willing to play with his screen image and stardom, which resulted in some of his most unique output.
Honkytonk Man
Cast
Honkytonk Man follows a young boy during the Great Depression as he leaves his Oklahoma farm to accompany his country musician uncle, who auditions for the Grand Ole Opry. Released in 1982, the film explores their journey and the challenges they face along the way.
Bronco Billy
Bronco Billy is a 1980 Western comedy directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. The film follows Billy, a man who aspires to be a modern-day cowboy and leads a traveling Wild West show.
The Beguiled
The Beguiled, released in 1971, is a Civil War drama featuring a wounded Union soldier taking refuge in a Southern girls' school. As he becomes the center of the women’s desires, he manipulates the dynamics to his advantage, leading to complex and tense interactions with his caretakers.
