Dirty Harry/Gran Torino/Unforgiven

Triple bill of films starring Clint Eastwood. 'Dirty Harry' (1971) is the first in the series of films featuring Lieutenant Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) - a right wing, bad-tempered San Francisco policeman, not averse to bending the rules to get his man.

The maniacal 'Scorpio Killer' is on the loose and Callahan disregards procedure in his efforts to track him down, using his trusty Magnum .44 to dispense his own brand of justice.

Somewhat surprisingly, the film was conceived as a vehicle for Frank Sinatra. 'Gran Torino' (2008) is a drama directed by and starring Eastwood.

When he catches Asian teenager Thao Vang Lor (Bee Vang) trying to steal his prized 1972 Gran Torino car, curmudgeonly Korean War veteran and racist Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) makes it his personal mission to bring him into line - an act that causes waves throughout the gang-dominated neighbourhood.

Set in 1880s Kansas, 'Unforgiven' (1992), also directed by Eastwood, tells the story of ageing gunslinger-turned-farmer William Munny (Eastwood) who reluctantly agrees to come out of retirement to collect the bounty on a wanted man, with the help of his old friend Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman).

The man in question cut up a prostitute in a lawless town lorded over by the corrupt Sheriff Daggett (Gene Hackman), and if Munny and Logan want to catch him they are going to have to deal with Daggett first.

This gritty western brought a new level of critical respect to its director, winning him the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director (it also picked up the Best Supporting Actor award for Hackman).