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WUSA (1970): A film of incredible potential, which the producer, the director and I loused up. We tried to make it political, and it wasn't.
Sometimes a Great Notion (starred and directed 1971): A much better film than its popularity would signify.
Pocket Money (1972): Loved the character, the script never came together though.
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (directed 1972): I may not have been able to make the transition from stage to film. Too much theater and not enough cinema. I screwed up there.
The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972): Marvelous. The first three-quarters of the picture are classic. We never came to grips with the ending though. I loved that character.
The Mackintosh Man (1973): Thought we could make an effective melodrama out of that, and I was wrong.
The Sting (1973): Oh, great fun.
The Towering Inferno (1974): Of its kind, rather good. Get the actors off and the stunt men on as quick as you can.
The Drowning Pool (1975): Only time I ever played the same character twice [Harper], and it didn't work.
Silent Movie (1976): Just a cameo.
Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976): Don't know what happened to that one. Made a mistake somewhere, along the line. Great potential.
Slap Shot (1977): One of my favorite movies. Unfortunately that character is a lot closer to me than I would care to admit—vulgar, on the skids.
Quintet (1979): Again, made a mistake somewhere. Director Robert Altman is very interesting, a real explorer.
When Time Ran Out (1980): I'm trying desperately to look the other way.
The Shadow Box (directed for television 1980): I take some pride in that one.
Fort Apache, The Bronx (1981): Some good moments, I guess.
Absence of Malice (1981): A relatively easy part for me and compatible with the image.
The Verdict (1982): It was such a relief to let it all hang out in the movie—blemishes and all.