Clint Eastwood Reveals the One Film That Made Him Want to Quit Acting

Before becoming a Hollywood legend, Clint Eastwood struggled to find his footing in movies. He took on several small, uncredited roles, slowly waiting for his chance to shine. That opportunity came in 1958 with the western Ambush at Cimarron Pass, but the experience nearly ended his career.

Eastwood played Keith Williams, a former Confederate soldier, in the film, which also starred Scott Brady.

The movie was rushed, shot in just eight days, and directed by Jodie Copelan, who was primarily a film editor and had little experience as a director. Eastwood later described the film as a disaster, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “It was probably the worst film ever made.”

Despite his fear that his career was over, Eastwood soon found a breakthrough with the TV series Rawhide, which helped him bounce back from the early setback.

Ambush at Cimarron Pass tells the story of cavalry survivors escorting a prisoner while trying to protect repeating rifles from the Apache.

Eastwood’s character struggles with old Confederate resentments, and the group faces further challenges after the Apache steal their horses using a clever distraction. Though the plot is remembered, the film itself is often cited as a low point in Eastwood’s early career.

Looking back, Eastwood described his reaction to seeing the movie in theaters as crushing. “I went to see it, and I saw that film, and I said I’m through. I’ve got to go back to school. I’ve got to do something else,” he said. Fortunately, that decision was only temporary, and Eastwood went on to become one of the most successful actors and directors in Hollywood history.

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