Review of Dirty Harry (1971) by Scotty P — 14 Apr 2011

As he's pointing his famous 44 Magnum, Inspector Harry Callahan asks the bad guy "Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?" That immortal line from this 1971 action classic has become one of the most famous quotes in film history.. For me, Dirty Harry is by far the grand daddy of the modern action film, along with Bullitt. Two legendary films that have shaped the action genre forever. But Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry is a classic character ands the film itself is a classic. Many filmmakers have been been influenced by this film. Clint Eastwood as cop Harry Callahan is exciting, thrilling and a brute on screen, and it's what makes this film so great. Callahan's lack of rules to uphold the law makes him an icon of cinema. Inspired somewhat by the real life Zodiac murders, Dirty Harry is about a cop on the trail of a killer that terrorizes San Francisco as he snipes innocent people and leaves letters to the cops. Cop Harry Callahan uses every trick he's got to catch the killer. With total disregard for his superiors orders, Callahan plays a deadly game of cat and mouse with Scorpio, the deadly sniper who committed the heinous crimes. Like I've said before, Dirty Harry is a milestone in the action genre. The only film that comes close is Bullitt (as I've said). Dirty Harry's legacy speaks for itself. The film has a terrific suspenseful atmosphere packed with loads of action, and some of the most quotable lines in cinematic history. Aside from the Dollars trilogy directed by Sergio Leone, Dirty Harry and its sequels are probably some of Clint Eastwood's greatest films. This film definitely sealed his faith as one of Hollywood most bad ass actors since Steve McQueen.

So, grab your popcorn, or 44 Magnum, sit back and let the tense action unfold before your eyes at this action classic that influenced an entire genre.