Watch Coogan's Bluff For Free

A different way of telling a story

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Likable, if less known than some of Eastwood's films, it is not without significance. This movie neatly segues from the Leone westerns to Dirty Harry. Indeed this is where Eastwood and Siegel first pair up and the seeds of the subsequent violent thrillers are clearly visible. It is also significant in that being a 1968 film we get a depiction of sexual politics that still resonates today. There is an early scene where Tisha Sterling is talking to her 'client' or probationer played by Don Stroud and the slimy kid touches, strokes and finally takes a hold of one of her breasts. Eastwood's 'country boy' from Arizona, looking more like a cowboy than a cop takes exception and knocks Stroud away. Tisha's character, who seemed to accept the sexual attention, is upset that her 'client' is now upset. Even more odd, as we now look back, Eastwood then picks up his case, takes her by the arm and announces he's taking her to lunch, and more as it subsequently turns out. Within the storyline of a film of this period it doesn't seem all that strange, no more it was, but looked at now from the era of a new morality, quite astonishing. The story moves well, Siegel has an eye for composition and can choreograph a bar room fight or a chase as good as anyone. The final motorbike chase is set on the slopes of an autumnal Fort Tryon Park and looks very good. Also good looking and very well shot is a hippy gig with back projections, coloured lights, near naked boys and girls and painted faces. Well worth a watch.

What would happen if you put a cowboy in New York City. Coogan (Clint Eastwood) comes to the big city with an agenda. He is at his best in a pre-Dirty Harry movie. His actions are the same. He is a lawman who doesn't play by the rules, resorting to serious violence when he doesn't get the cooperation he wants. The key here is the whole Eastwood persona. He speaks in that guttural voice, almost a whisper. When he talks, people listen. He runs into some punks of course, and needs to teach them a lesson. He also has to go underground, dealing with some women who have no trouble engaging the big guy. Lately, Eastwood has really been ticking me off, but I have to admit that he has had quite a career.

I am a big fan of Clint Eastwood and have really enjoyed watching some of his films like the Dirty Harry series, Joe Kidd and of course Where Eagles Dare. Anyway, I was thoroughly entertained while watching Coogan's Bluff. The films starts off with a typically defiant Eastwood who as result is sent to New York City as a result. The film offers a fairly unique story that involves some good actions scenes and a very well written story. It also gives the audience a chance to see New York in the 1960's which is a great setting for this film.Overall, I would recommend anyone to watch this film as it's only an hour and a half long, it doesn't drag on at all. It's not one of the greatest by a long way, however as like film with Clint Eastwood it is certainly worth the watch.

The raw violence in this film wasn't anything spectacular, but it was a foreshadowing of what was to come in the future.This film started a 10 year relationship between Eastwood and director Don Siegel. They would go on to do four more films, including Dirty Harry.You can contrast Eastwood's cool Coogan with the hokey McCloud that followed with Dennis Weaver.It's Harry Callhan with out a gun, so it is interesting from a historical perspective in the Eastwood acting career.It is also interesting to see the culture of the time being the Woodstock era.