Who but Eastwood could calmly, convincingly walk through a shootout, deliberately chewing his lunch the whole time without breaking a sweat, and still appear gallant? And make us share his glee as he pushes down on a screaming suspect's bullet wound? It's easy to forget that Harry Callahan is a bigoted cop who enjoys torturing suspects, and instead revel in Eastwood's scorching combination of rebel cool and controlled venom. Frank Sinatra, the original choice for Harry, might have pulled off his suaveness, but no one could have matched the acidic, effortless rage that made Eastwood's Harry a film icon.

Next Entry