Clint Eastwood is an enigma in himself. At times, we feel that the term 'multi-faceted' was coined keeping him in mind. Clint Eastwood is a terrific actor, an admirable director and has even composed and written songs. Not just that, he was once elected and served as a Mayor (for Carmel-by-the-Sea) for a brief period. In a movie career spanning over more than 50 years, there is nary a genre that Clint Eastwood has not put his mitts on, and delivered at least one cult movie in the process. Like as I said, the man is an enigma. The Mule Movie Review: Clint Eastwood’s Strong Performance Holds This Flawed Ride Together.

During the '60s and '70s, he was the face of Western cowboy movies thanks to his involvement in movies like A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. In the '70s and the '80s, he created a gritty cop franchise with the Dirty Harry series. And in the interim, he has directed movies - an activity that he continues till date, despite nearing 90. Nearly every year, we are blessed with at least one Clint Eastwood movie.

The recent ones may not be the masterpieces that we expect from someone of Eastwood's stature, but his legacy in creating masterpieces is undeniable. For his exemplary work in cinema, Eastwood has received multiple Oscar nominations for Best Actor, Best Director and Best Picture, winning two awards in the latter categories together for Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby. Clint Eastwood’s ‘The Ballad of Richard Jewell’ Rights Now Owned by Warner Bros.

Clint Eastwood has given us many movies to cherish, but on the occasion of his 89th birthday, we cherry-pick five great movies from various genres that the legend has directed himself. You are free to have your own picks of his best movies in the comments section below the story.

Unforgiven

Photo Credits: Malpaso Productions

In 1992, Clint Eastwood returns to the genre that made a name for him in his youth - Wester thrillers. Unforgiven is a masterclass of incredible performances (especially from Eastwood, Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman), intense drama and a narrative that shrouds itself in the grey areas of its main characters. We can't help but agree with the critics when they hail this as the best film that Clint Eastwood has directed.

The Bridges of Madison County

Photo Credits: Amblin Entertainment

This may be an unusual choice here, since many may not agree that The Bridges of Madison County even deserves to be on the top 10 list of Eastwood movies. I digress, because this is one of the rare occasions that Eastwood attempted romance and it worked to great effect. The love story about two middle-aged loners engaged in a brief extra-marital affair has some lovely moments, courtesy some fine performances from Eastwood and the brilliant Meryl Streep.

Play Misty For Me

Photo Credits: The Malpaso Company

Clint Eastwood's directorial debut itself gave us enough glimpse of the abundant talent in the man. A psychological thriller that came out in 1971, the movie has Eastwood play a radio jockey who has to fend off an obsessed stalker, who always wants him to play the jazz song, 'Misty'. With some good performance and many thrilling moments, this was a fine start to Eastwood's incredible career as a director.

Letters From Iwo Jima

Photo Credits: Amblin Entertainment

In 2006, Clint Eastwood made a two-part piece on the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima between USA and Japan. The first film, Flags of Our Fathers, show the battle from the American side, and dealt with the aftermath of the war on the soldiers. However, it was the second part, Letters From Iwo Jima, shown from the perception of the Japanese contingent, that received more praise. Even though the film was mostly in Japanese, the movie was acclaimed for its cinematography and its taut depiction of the horrors of war on the people fighting it.

Mystic River

Photo Credits: Warner Bros.

Mystic River is a fantastic piece of human drama about changing human relationships when tragedy strikes close home. It may give a sense of being a mystery thriller, and the suspense is palpable. But Mystic River is more about the psyche of a person, racked by years of abuse and guilt, leading to a tragic climax. Also, excellent performances from Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Marcia Gay Harden.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 31, 2019 10:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).