Movie Review: Dirty Harry

This 1971 classic starts with a rooftop sniper that's eyeing up his target, and then he kills a young girl. Then we're introduced to Inspector Harry Callahan who goes by the nickname Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood). He gets the responsibility of trying to capture the rooftop sniper that goes by the name of Scorpio (Andy Robinson). We soon find out that Dirty Harry is a no nonsense cop who will do anything to bring criminals to justice even if it means he's the judge, jury, and executioner.

We see Harry foil a bank robbery where he uses his gun to exact justice, and then he gets grief from his superiors for using excessive force. Harry then tracks Scorpio down, and brings him in using his own brand of justice only to have him released because Harry used excessive force, and denied him his constitutional rights.

Callahan makes Scorpio his own personal project from that time forward. He follows him around, and waits for him to make a move. When the time finally comes Harry takes Scorpio out the only way he knows how.

This movie was really the first of it's kind when it was released in 1971. All the big cities throughout the country were seeing a rise in violent crime, and people were becoming sick of law enforcements inability to handle the situation. That's where Dirty Harry comes in as a wake up call to the American people. I know that's not what they intended when they made the movie, but it sure does make sense.

Clint Eastwood was already known by the time Dirty Harry was released, but Dirty Harry really gave Clint his superstardom. Clint is terrific as Dirty Harry, and really he set the stage for other action hero's to come. Andy Robinson also does great work here as the psychotic Scorpio. Robinson has that baby faced look that you don't picture as a killer, but that all works in his favor.

The film was directed by the great Don Siegel who directed some wonderful action scenes, and really captured the look, and feel of 70's San Francisco.

Overall this film is a classic, and it set the stage for many action films to come. If you haven't seen this movie then you owe it too yourself to at least give it a look, and you'll know immediately that this film inspired so many others.

I highly recommend.