Unforgiven is a 1992 American western directed by Clint Eastwood, starring himself, Gene Hackman, and Morgan Freeman. A dark and violent film meant to dispel some of the myths and rumors of the “Old West”, this movie took home four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Eastwood’s “last western”, the film was a box-office smash.
Sheriff “Little Bill” Daggett (Hackman) does not allow guns or criminals in the peaceful town of Big Whiskey, Wyoming. For the most part, people keep to themselves and try to lead their lives without any trouble. All of this changes, however, when two traveling cowboys cut up and disfigure Delilah Fitzgerald, one of the town’s prostitutes. Outraged, the brothel posts a $1,000 reward for whoever can find and kill the two cowboys. Sheriff Little Bill worries this will bring a slew of outlaws and guns into his town and upset the peace he worked so hard for.
He’s not wrong. In Kansas, an upstart cowboy named the “Schofield Kid” tries to recruit retired killer William Munny (Eastwood) to help him collect the bounty. William Munny originally refuses. He’s an old widower now with kids to feed and a long list of regrets about his past. The promise of some money for his kids spurs him to change his mind and join up with the Schofield Kid. He also recruits Ned Logan (Freeman), an old friend and retired killer as well.
The rest of the movie follows this unlikely trio as they make their way over to Big Whiskey. As they start taking lives and getting involved in the town’s politics, the lines between hero and villain, right and wrong become so blurred that it’s impossible to tell if there are any real heroes left in the West after all.
Cast
Clint Eastwood as William “Will” Munny
Gene Hackman as “Little” Bill Daggett
Morgan Freeman as Ned Logan
Richard Harris as English Bob
Jaimz Woolvett as The Schofield Kid
Saul Rubinek as W. W. Beauchamp
Frances Fisher as Strawberry Alice
Anna Levine as Delilah Fitzgerald
David Mucci as Quick Mike
Rob Campbell as Davey Bunting
via oscarmovs.com