Warner Bros
The year 2025 will be a significant milestone for Clint Eastwood, marking his 70th anniversary in the cinematic world. This is only five years less than the average lifespan of an American male, a testament to his enduring career. Eastwood’s legacy extends beyond his roles as villains and barkeeps since the Eisenhower era. He has significantly contributed to the redefinition of the Western and crime genres in collaboration with filmmakers Sergio Leone and Don Siegel. Eastwood has also bagged the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director twice for “Unforgiven” and “Million Dollar Baby.” At 94, he is set to release his latest directorial venture, “Juror #2,” this November.
Eastwood’s long-standing success might make it hard to believe that he had his share of struggles. However, his journey to stardom was not overnight. It was not until his 30s that he became a recognized figure in the film industry. Before that, he had roles in several forgettable movies and seemed destined for a future as a television actor.
Despite the challenges, Eastwood believed in his potential for greatness. However, his confidence wavered when he critically evaluated one of his early significant roles in a B Western, which he considers one of the worst films ever.
The Movie That Nearly Ended Eastwood’s Acting Career
20th Century Studios
In a 2015 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Eastwood recounted his experience as a contract player at Universal. This led to him landing a third-billing role in a 20th Century Fox Western that resembled an episode of “F Troop” minus the humor. Eastwood shared that the experience nearly made him quit acting:
“I started getting some parts, and then I did a little film at Fox called ‘Ambush at Cimarron Pass.’ It was probably the worst film ever made. But I had the second lead in it, and Scott Brady was the lead. The film was made in eight days. It was el speedo grande. I went to see it, and I was so disappointed that I considered quitting. I thought I needed to return to school or find a different job.”
However, Eastwood did not quit. CBS appreciated his abilities as a Western actor and cast him as Rowdy Yates in the successful TV Western “Rawhide.” Eastwood soon grew frustrated with the repetitiveness of episodic television. During a break from the series in 1964, he took a risk and shot a violent Western in Spain with the then-unknown Italian director Sergio Leone. The film, “A Fistful of Dollars,” catapulted Eastwood to international fame.
“Ambush at Cimarron Pass” is available for free streaming on YouTube, but it’s recommended for die-hard Eastwood fans only. You’d have a better time watching “Pink Cadillac” or “The Rookie.”
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
