Clint Eastwood: The Universal Pictures 7-Movie Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Clint Eastwood: The Universal Pictures 7-Movie Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 22, 2015

Throughout his career, Clint Eastwood has defied expectations. The minute one gets comfortable with his tough guy persona, he’s off on the next adventure, tackling thrillers, romances, and westerns with encouraging speed. Perhaps lacking a substantial dramatic range, Eastwood remains a compelling screen figure due to his very presence, making him one of the few talents in Hollywood who could carry an entire scene with nothing more than a stare. “Clint Eastwood: The Universal 7-Movie Collection” brings together a varied selection of the star’s hits and curiosities, offering “Two Mules for Sister Sara,” “Joe Kidd,” “High Plains Drifter,” “Coogan’s Bluff,” The Beguiled,” “Play Misty for Me,” and “The Eiger Sanction.” A few are genuine Eastwood classics, while the rest detail his unusual career choices as the gunslinger of the 1960s became the leading man of the 1970s.

Click here for a review of Coogan's Bluff

Click here for a review of The Beguiled

Click here for a review of Play Misty for Me

Click here for a review of The Eiger Sanction

Click here for a review of High Plains Drifter

Click here for a review of Two Mules for Sister Sara

Click here for a review of Joe Kidd

Clint Eastwood: The Universal Pictures 7-Movie Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Click here for a video review of Coogan's Bluff

Click here for a video review of The Beguiled

Click here for a video review of Play Misty for Me

Click here for a video review of The Eiger Sanction

Click here for a video review of High Plains Drifter

Click here for a video review of Two Mules for Sister Sara

Click here for a video review of Joe Kidd

Clint Eastwood: The Universal Pictures 7-Movie Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Click here for an audio review of Coogan's Bluff

Click here for an audio review of The Beguiled

Click here for an audio review of Play Misty for Me

Click here for an audio review of The Eiger Sanction

Click here for an audio review of High Plains Drifter

Click here for an audio review of Two Mules for Sister Sara

Click here for an audio review of Joe Kidd

Clint Eastwood: The Universal Pictures 7-Movie Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Beguiled:

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:31, SD) is included.

Play Misty for Me:

• "Play it Again: A Look Back at 'Play Misty for Me'" (49:22, SD) is a 2001 featurette that recounts the creative history behind Eastwood's directorial debut. Talk of casting dominates, with Eastwood, Mills, and Walter sharing their introductions to the project and how scripted intensity didn't spill over once work was completed. Some thoughts on technique and Eastwood's reflection on the movie's success is also interesting.

• "'The Beguiled,' 'Misty,' Don and Clint" (6:13, SD) is a brief overview of the relationship between Eastwood and Don Siegel, his longtime collaborator. Film critic Richard Schickel shares his thoughts on their work.

• Photography Montage (3:54) shares pictures from the "Play Misty for Me" set, including publicity and BTS snaps.

• "Clint Eastwood Directs and Acts" (2:03) offers more pictures, this time focusing on the star as he commands the set.

• "Evolution of a Poster" (2:37) is a fascinating peek at the creative process behind marketing efforts, displaying manipulations of photography and design to come up with a proper one-sheet. Interestingly, the feature was titled "The Slasher" at one point during this development period.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:42, SD) is included.

The Eiger Sanction:

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:41, SD) is included.

High Plains Drifter:

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:19, SD) is included.

Two Mules for Sister Sara:

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:24, SD) is included.

Joe Kidd

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:10, SD) is included.

Clint Eastwood: The Universal Pictures 7-Movie Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Granted, quality ranges on these discs, with some showing care and updated scans, while the rest could use more TLC. Extras are sparse as well. Yet, for superfans, a chunk of Eastwood is better than no Eastwood, leaving the set valuable for completists and those who've held off on purchasing the few previously released Blu-rays.