Tom Hanks, widely recognized as one of the best actors in the film industry, shared insights into his experience working with legendary director Clint Eastwood on the movie “Sully.” Despite Hanks’ extensive career and collaboration with top directors, Eastwood’s unique approach left a lasting impression on the acclaimed actor.
During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show in 2016, Hanks revealed that Eastwood treats his actors like horses. He explained that Eastwood, having dealt with the challenges of filming Westerns like “Rawhide” in the 1960s, developed a quiet and unobtrusive directing style to avoid startling horses on set. Instead of the traditional loud “action” call, Eastwood would simply say, “All right, go ahead,” in a very quiet voice.
Hanks emphasized that this approach, while seemingly gentle, was “intimidating as hell.” The absence of a formal announcement like “action” made actors unaware of when the camera was rolling, creating a unique and somewhat challenging working environment.
Eastwood’s reputation for strict adherence to rules and his distinctive directing style, honed over decades in the film industry, contributed to the actor’s perception of being “worked like a horse” on the set of “Sully.” Despite the challenges, the movie, based on the true story of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s heroic plane landing on the Hudson River, received critical acclaim and showcased Hanks’ exceptional acting abilities.
