Review of Dirty Harry (1971) by Damon Y — 23 Apr 2010

I love watching movies through new eyes. Two things strike me about this film. The first is the similarities between Harry and Scorpio. They both share a disdain for the stereotypical San Francisco culture as depicted in the film, but have wildly different reactions to it: Harry is a frustrated protector of the innocents amidst the chaos, while Scorpio initially chooses to kill the undesirables until his bloodlust leads him to take increasingly innocent victims, making an even worse embodiment of the people he hates.

This movie is very clearly an indictment of '60's counterculture, in the same vein as "Joe" and, to some extent, "Taxi Driver". The other thing that struck me is the divided loyalties of the production team, because, while the screenwriter clearly disdains modern '70's San Francisco, the cinematographer clearly loves that city.

I can't remember the last time a film presented the vast landscapes, city views, and architectures of The City By The Bay with such photographic admiration. Definitely a landmark film.