Clint Eastwood’s ‘Imperialist Propaganda’ War Movie is Free on Streaming Till June 30

Clint Eastwood has made war movies in his career, and many have been criticized for being too nationalist and jingoistic. But no other war film of his has been under strict scrutiny like Heartbreak Ridge. The movie is based on America’s invasion of Grenada in 1983. Now, the film is back on PVOD forty years after its release, and will be available for free till June 30.

Whether you’re revisiting it for Eastwood’s legendary performance or discovering it for the very first time, the window to catch it without paying is one you won’t want to miss. Here’s everything you need to know before hitting play.

Where and How to Watch Clint Eastwood’s Heartbreak Ridge?

Clint Eastwood in Heartbreak Ridge | Credits: Warner Bros.

Clint Eastwood’s 1986 war movie, Heartbreak Ridge, has seen a resurgence in streaming and VOD. The film is currently available for free on Tubi, which is one of the best free and legal streaming websites. Eastwood’s film will be leaving the platform in 14 days and will be available to stream for free till June 30.

Apart from Tubi, the movie is also available on Apple TV’s PVOD. The film has reportedly reached the top 10 list on the Apple TV store and is seeing renewed interest forty years after its release (via Flix Patrol). The film had earned $121.7 million at the box office upon release, against a budget of $15 million.

Heartbreak Ridge is also available for purchase and rent on Amazon Prime Video. It is also available to rent on Fandango at Home. However, if it is free content that you are looking for, then Tubi is the best bet for the near future. The platform hosts hundreds of ad-supported content, which includes both indie gems and classic Hollywood films.

Eastwood’s War Movie was Accused of Furthering Imperialist Propaganda

Clint Eastwood has been a prolific filmmaker since his debut in Play Misty for Me. While he is reportedly retired now at the age of 96, he made his apparently final film, Juror #2, only two years ago, and his last five films have been quite ambitious. His films, however, seem to be timeless as a forty-year old war movie of his has been resurfacinig on streaming and PVOD’s top 10 lists.

The war movie Heartbreak Ridge divided critics upon release. While the film holds a 63% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, many have criticized it, even back in 1986, for promoting imperialist propaganda. Critics called the film’s depiction of the American invasion of Grenada lacking any nuance and showing Cubans as the enemies.

While the movie was appreciated by the Marine Corps for its realism, the DOD reportedly had issues with the film’s depiction of the military, particularly Eastwood’s character, who was shown as a drinker (via Spy Culture). 

Eastwood addressed the criticisms and responded (via LA Times)

There were a lot of people there. We’re showing 12 guys, a small reconnaissance platoon. What am I supposed to do, spend another $5 million showing the Army’s invasion? That’s insane.

He also mentioned that the original script had the platoon rerouted from their journey to Beirut, but the military asked him not to mention Beirut and the terrorist attack. Eastwood said that it was like altering history, and many veterans would not like it. While the filmmaker had his answers for the accusation, the film still misses key elements from history. The actor has never shied away from speaking the truth about America.

What do you think about Clint Eastwood’s Heartbreak Ridge? Comment below.

Heartbreak Ridge is available to stream on Tubi (till June 30).