INTRODUCTION

The aim of my dissertation is to investigate and discuss Clint Eastwood’s role as a filmmaker from early 1970’s to the mid 2000’s by selecting four major films influenced by Classic Hollywood Directors that are not only the creative forces behind Eastwood’s career, but what also make Eastwood one of the last great American filmmakers today. Using clips, quotes and stills from various films and interviews, I will analyze Play Misty for Me in comparison to Alfred Hitchcock. The Outlaw Josey Wales in relation to John Ford. Bronco Billy and the similarities to Frank Capra’s filmmaking methods and finally the back to back feature Flags of our Fathers / Letters from Iwo Jima in relation to John Huston and how Eastwood became the product of a mature filmmaker from his own influence.

To understand Eastwood’s development as a filmmaker, I will also look at how the directors have shaped Eastwood’s decisions on visual style, themes and approach to filmmaking, as well as discussing his acting career influence from Directors such as Sergio Leone and Don Siegel and how they influenced his on set attitudes, his loyalty to collaborating with a cast and crew for the next 20 – 30 years and his understanding of developing personal and intimate details on storytelling and character portrayal.

I chose to study Clint Eastwood in particular because of the impact he has had on me as a student from choosing individual and thought provoking stories.