The Movies of Clint Eastwood Trivia Quiz

Answer: A Fistful of Dollars

"A Fistful of Dollars" was directed by Sergio Leone and tells the story of a wandering gunman who arrives at a village in Mexico. He finds that the town has been taken over by two gangster lords and works one gang against the other to try and get rich in the process.

This movie was the first "Spaghetti Western" to gain international release although over 20 had already been produced in Italy. Its original title was "The Magnificent Stranger". Clint Eastwood was making the TV series "Rawhide" and his contract forbade him to make movies in the US whilst on a break, but it did allow him to make movies in Europe. The other two movies in the "Dollar" or "Man With No Name" trilogy are "For a Few Dollars More", and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly".

Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Henry Silva, Rory Calhoun, Steve Reeves, Ty Hardin and James Coburn all turned down the role of "The Man With No Name". The role triggered an incredible career for Eastwood.

Answer: Where Eagles Dare

"Where Eagles Dare" was directed by Brian G Hutton and tells the story of the capture of an American general by the Germans during World War II after his plane is shot down. He is kept prisoner in an SS-held castle and a British commando team is sent to rescue him. The movie also stars Mary Ure, Michael Horden, and Robert Beatty.

The role of Schaffer ultimately given to Clint Eastwood was first offered to Lee Marvin, who turned it down.

The title for the film was taken from lines from William Shakespeare's "Richard III", "The world is grown so bad, that wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch."

Answer: Play Misty for Me

"Play Misty For Me", which was also directed by Clint Eastwood, unravels the story of a disc jockey, Dave Garver, who has a brief affair with a female fan. The obsessed fan constantly phones him, requesting that he play the song "Misty" and then begins to stalk him with terrible consequences. This movie was Eastwood's directorial debut.

The film was shot in beautiful Carmel-by-Sea in California, where Clint Eastwood lived, and was later elected mayor in 1986.

Jessica Walter was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress.

Answer: Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

"Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" is the story of a thief (Thunderbolt) who masquerades as a preacher in the countryside but is discovered for who he really is. Whilst escaping he runs into a young man (Lightfoot) and they team up and make plans to rob a bank.

The movie also stars Geoffrey Lewis, Catherine Bach, George Kennedy and Gary Busey. It was nominated for an Academy Award - Jeff Bridges for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Answer: Escape from Alcatraz

"Escape from Alcatraz" is based on a true story and recounts the only successful escape attempt from the infamous Alcatraz prison, on an island in San Francisco Bay. The prisoner's name was Frank Morris (Eastwood).

The filmmakers had to do a great deal of restoration work to the prison to reflect its state in 1963. Danny Glover had his film debut in this movie.

Alcatraz Island lies 2.4 km (1.5 miles) offshore from San Francisco and is often referred to as "The Rock". It has been used for a lighthouse, a military fortification and military prison in 1868. It was developed as a federal prison in 1933, and it closed in 1963. The island has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. A ferry now runs to Alcatraz Island which is open for tours. The lighthouse, still in operation, is the oldest operating lighthouse on the US west coast.

In the 1976 Dirty Harry movie "The Enforcer" Clint Eastwood again visits Alcatraz Island where a lot of action takes place.

Answer: The Rookie

"The Rookie" is set in Los Angeles and tells the story of a veteran cop (Clint Eastwood) who is teamed up with a rookie (Charlie Sheen) and the need for them to catch and arrest a German crime lord.

This movie was the second Eastwood directed in 1990, the other being "White Hunter Black Heart", in which he also starred

This film was originally to be made in 1988 but was held up by the Screen Actors Guild strike. The Eastwood and Sheen roles were originally to be played by Gene Hackman and Matthew Modine.

Answer: In the Line of Fire

"In the Line of Fire" tells the story of Frank Horrigan (Eastwood) who was one of the bodyguards of President Kennedy when he was assassinated. An ex-CIA disillusioned and obsessed assassin (Malkovich) is plotting to kill the current president, and it's up to Frank Horrigan to stop him.

The movie was nominated for three Academy Awards, three BAFTA Awards, and one Golden Globe.

Robert Redford was originally set to play the Eastwood role, and when he left the project it was offered to Sean Connery, but he turned it down. Val Kilmer was another actor considered for the role. Robert de Niro turned down the role ultimately taken by Malkovich. Robert Duval and Jack Nicholson were also earlier considered for that role. Both Glenn Close and Sharon Stone turned down the role that ultimately went to Rene Russo.

Clint Eastwood, at 62 years of age, considered himself too old for the role of Frank Horrigan. The box office would disagree.

Answer: Absolute Power

"Absolute Power" stars Gene Hackman, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Scott Glenn, Judy Davis and Clint Eastwood.

A jewel thief, Luther Whitney (Eastwood), is interrupted as he robs a large walk-in safe in a bedroom with a one-way mirror door, when a couple come into the bedroom. It is the President of the US (Hackman) and the wife of his very good friend. A struggle ensues when the president attempts to take advantage of the lady, and she stabs the president with a letter-opener. He calls for help and two Secret Service agents enter the room and shoot the woman dead. Luther Whitney sees it all from inside the safe, but needs to escape for fear of being accused of murder.

The soundtrack song "Kate's Theme" was composed by Clint Eastwood. Kate is the name of his character's daughter played by Laura Linney.

Answer: Space Cowboys

"Space Cowboys" tells the story of an old Russian communications satellite that is about to fall back to Earth that NASA wishes to capture before it crashes. Four older retirees who trained as astronauts years ago, but did not go into space, are asked to help, because one of them designed the technology used by the Russians in the satellite. The four of them finally go into space with a younger crew to capture the satellite.

The movie was nominated for an several awards, including an Academy Award.

Sean Connery, Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson were originally considered for three of the roles.

The theme that is heard at the beginning of the movie was written by Clint Eastwood.

Answer: Million Dollar Baby

"Million Dollar Baby" was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four: Best Achievement in Directing (Clint Eastwood), Best Motion Picture, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Morgan Freeman), and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Hilary Swank). The movie also was nominated for and won many more awards, including five Golden Globes. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture (Clint Eastwood).

Sandra Bullock and Ashley Judd were considered for the role that ultimately went to Hilary Swank, who underwent a serious training regime to prepare for this film. She gained nearly 20 pounds of muscle.

When Clint Eastwood won his Oscar for this film he was 74 years old and was the oldest director up to that time to win an Academy Award. This film was the 25th movie directed by Clint Eastwood.