Don Siegel and Clint Eastwood worked with each other on five films, but before they first started, neither of them had heard of the other. Luckily, with a little homework, they both realized they enjoyed each other’s work and agreed to sign on to do Coogan’s Bluff together. Unfortunately for us, the film doesn’t hold up very well since it was first released 50 years ago. But are there still elements worth looking at? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Crime Films from 1968 series with Siegel’s Coogan’s Bluff.
We talk about why this film doesn’t hold up nearly as well as Targets, Peter Bogdanovich’s film we discussed last week, and acknowledge it as a film of its time but not much more than that. We look at what Eastwood is bringing to the table as this country mouse coming to the big city and if it has any merit. We discuss several points of the script and look at why the screenplay falls flat and doesn’t bring anything new to the table in the world of cop action films. We chat about the camerawork and editing and look at several moments that stand out in largely mediocre work. And we look at how well the film did and ponder its controversial violence when compared to the violence in Targets.
It’s a rough film for us but one that certainly has its fans (largely because of Eastwood and/or Siegel). We still have a great time talking about it on this week’s show. So check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.
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Film Sundries
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- Script Transcript
- Original theatrical trailer
- Original poster artwork
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
