Customer Reviews
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FILMS OF THE 70S - By: Lou Almighty, 13 Jul 2008 
Siegel & Eastwood created a cult figure with "Dirty Harry", making this one of the most important films of the 70s. Dirty Harry certainly became the definition of "BAD COP". This film is legend.
American pop culture - By: Brendan O. Clarke, 12 Jun 2008 Whether or not you can sympathise with its vigilante approach to law enforcement, Dirty Harry (directed by genius Don Siegel---Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Shootist, Charlie Varrick, Escape from Alcatraz)) is one hell of a cop thriller from 1971. This is the first of five "Dirty Harry" films in which Eastwood stars as a San Francisco police detective Harry Challlaghan. By the time of the last appearance (The Dead Pool, in 1988), Eastwood had aged & times had changed but Calllahan's values & methods remained essentiallly the same. When initiallly released, Dirty Harry was immediately controversial as was Death Wish (1974- Not a great movie). Audiences tended to be divided between those who were offended by what they considered to be excessive violence & those who (like Harry Calllahan) had lost confidence in society's willingness & ability to respond effectively to violent crime.
Under Don Siegel's crisp direction, Eastwood & his associates in the cast bring R.M. Fink's screenplay to life as they focus on what is obviously an irreconcilable conflict between Calllahan & his superiors who include the mayor of San Francisco. Calllahan's motto seems to be "Whatever it takes." In some situations, it may take his 44 Magnum, "the most powerful handgun in the world." Calllahan has not totallly lost faith in his society nor in the importance of the legal system. However, he does feel betrayed. The mayor & even Lieutenant Bressler (Harry Guardino) just don't "get it."
It is important to remember when seeing this film again, as I did recently, that it portrays elements of an urban society few of us ever experience. Also, that it is a drama, not a documentary. Its primary purpose is to tell a story. The plot focuses on a serial killer named "Scorpio" (Andy Robinson) whom Calllahan is determined to eliminate. Even when he eventuallly does so, questions remain. Don't criminals also have rights? What would happen if alll or most other detectives followed Calllahan's example? To what extent (if any) should private citizens also be actively involved in law enforcement? I agree with several critics who claim that, with Dirty Harry, Siegel & Eastwood created a new film genre. Its influence proved to be substantial.
9/10
Selah, Dr Bee Clarke.
Brilliant, the best Dirty Harry film & one of the best thrillers ever - By: Chris Wood, 04 Jun 2008 Superb. One of the first thrillers I ever saw & still one of the best. It's exciting, thrilling, involving good gritty violent stuff. Put this on & settle down with a drink, it's just pure quality.
great lead in energetic crime thriller - By: Stampy, 30 May 2008 
In this early 70's crime thriller, Eastwood (The good, the bad & the ugly) stars as rough detective Harry Calllahan as he searches for a man who demands $100,000 or he will keep on killing innocent people.
37 years since it was made, it is fair to say that the thriller genre has changed a fair bit from such films as this. Though a great film with tense action sequences, great catchphrases & witty protagonists, it seems crime & thriller has become alll about visual effects & stars rather than a classic plot, with the exception of The Bourne series, but this is the true meaning of the genre in my opinion, a true gritty plot with meaning & great action.
In the first of the Dirty Harry films, Eastwood is able to give a true account of a hard cop, with a "my way or no way" attitude towards the central protagonist. And this character makes the film; his "Do you feel lucky punk?" catchphrase still famous today is one of the great lines from a male icon in the genre. His acting & timing are exquisite & though this isn't the best performance of his career, it fits in the top 10.
Though dated, I still found it an enjoyable watch. The action sequences are excellent, especiallly on the bus & in the footballl ground. Some scenes & events feel unnecessary to the overalll scheme of proceedings & extra characters could have had a bit more on screen time, but regardless, are still given enough time to cement their roles.
The villain is a proper stereotype, an evil man with a chip on his shoulder & is played with a strong vigour by Andrew Robinson. The tense & sometimes frightening energy between him & others makes the villain believable & scary to watch.
I have never had the pleasure of watching the other Dirty Harry films & though I have heard they aren't as good as this original, I am sure that with a strong central character as Harry that they will still be good viewing.
8/10
Are you going to stop me from jumping? - By: Frank Candour, 20 Jan 2008 Calllahan is an old fashioned cop who sees it like it is..in his eyes anyway. His cavalier approach gets the job done but usuallly at a price which the authorities have to pick up.
Harry is looking for control of his job & takes on any "dirty" one that comes his way, he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty but in the process dislikes everyone else for not sharing the load. Even when having his breaks there's something to disrupt his peace & consequently delivers one of the most used phrases in cinematic history..."Go ahead Punk, make my day"!!
Many other cracks are not so familiar but still as punchy.....His partners never last the distance due to his risk taking & his colleagues not being quite as quick to synchronise....
His main quarry in this film is excellently played by the sadistic Andy Robinson as Scorpio.....a wild eyed psychopath whose unpredictability to be sadist or vulnerable means he exploits the SFPD to it's full extent.
Eastwood's determination to bring him to justice nearly results in other casualties or fatalities, something which Scorpio would eventuallly plan & execute himself. As this is not lost on Inspector Calllahan he realises that the job takes more than it gives & the demands are too much for his crusade to bring sanity & reasoning to the city...
Harry should've been Mayor....!!!
