Clint Eastwood produced, directed and starred in the lead role as William Munny, retired gunfighter who takes one last job. Set in Big Whiskey Wyoming two cowboys, Davey-Boy and Quick Mike disfigure a prostitute who mocks Quick Mike. Sheriff Little Bill (Gene Hackman) gives the pair a slap on the wrist. Out raged prostitutes offer one-thousand-dollar reward to anyone who kills the pair.

Munny (Eastwood) has retired to farming. He is approached by a young gun, calling himself Schofield Kid to track down the cowboys and collect the reward. With his farm on hard times Munny goes along, recruiting retired gunman and friend Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) to go along. They arrive in Big Whiskey and go to the saloon. Logan and the Kid meet with the prostitutes while Munny waits in the saloon. He is confronted by Little Bill for carrying a gun. The sheriff beats him brutally and throws him out of the saloon. The three escape.

Munny recovers from his injuries. They catch up with Davey-Boy and kill him. Logan decides he’s had enough of the old life and leaves to return home. Munny and the Kid catch-up with Little Mike. The Kid kills him, admitting he’d never killed anyone before. One of the prostitutes meets Munny and the Kid to pay the reward. She tells them Little Bill captured Logan and tortured him to death. The Kid heads out with his reward. Munny goes hunting for Little Bill.

Munny finds the sheriff in the saloon organizing a posse to go after him. He walks in facing sheriff and posse alone. In the shootout that follows Munny kills Little Bill and most of his deputies. Then calmly returns home.

Unforgiven played to critical acclaim. The film won four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director (Eastwood) and Best Supporting Actor (Hackman). Unforgiven drew $159 million at the box office worldwide. It is listed in the Library of Congress National Film Registry.

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Ride easy,
Paul