Angelina Jolie is under-rated as an actress because people focus on her beauty too much, claims director Clint Eastwood.

The actor-turned-moviemaker directs Jolie in new movie The Changeling and he insists that although she is one of the most attractive stars in the world, she is also an impressive actress with more substance to her personality than she is given credit for.

And Eastwood believes critics overlook her other qualities because of her appearance.

He says: "I think that people underestimate her talent because she is such a good-looking woman.

“That was a problem Ingrid Bergman encountered. Bette Davis didn't have that handicap; her face didn't fit the standards of glamour. People instantly though of her as a great actress.

"Angelina Jolie is more like Simone Signoret, whose obvious glamour never obscured her personality."