Blu-ray Review – Coogan’s Bluff

In the years following his worldwide exposure in Sergio Leone's "Dollars" trilogy, star Clint Eastwood began a quest to define his American screen persona and career goals, spending 1968 on a collection of diverse releases, with "Hang 'Em High," "Where Eagles Dare," and "Coogan's Bluff" working to share what passes for range with the iconic star. However, "Coogan's Bluff" is perhaps the most important of the bunch, establishing Eastwood's creative relationship with director Don Siegel, with the helmer becoming a friend and mentor for the actor. While the pair would go on to make "Dirty Harry" in 1971, "Coogan's Bluff" is their first stab at creating an antihero, pushing the boundaries of good taste with this surprisingly gruff detective story. In many ways, the feature feels like a prequel to "Dirty Harry," but it retains its own personality, giving Eastwood a chance to play around with cop clichés as he perfects his famous squint. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com