Eastwood was on a naval aircraft during World War II when it crashed into the Pacific Ocean. Uncertain of his life, he swam for kilometers toward the coast while stranded in the ocean.
He subsequently said, “I remember thinking, ‘Well, 21 is not as long as a person wants to live,'” in reflection of this horrific incident.
Using My Own Experience Eastwood’s subsequent work was greatly impacted by his terrifying Pacific experience. In 2016, he directed the Tom Hanks-starring movie Sully:
Miracle on the Hudson. All 155 passengers and crew survived the 2009 emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River, which was portrayed in the film.
Captain Sully: A Tale of Heroism Although fans were enthralled by the breathtaking landing, Eastwood was particularly struck by the incident’s aftermath and Captain Chesley.
