Dirty Harry

Dirty Harry
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Name	Dirty Harry
Director	Don Siegel
Producer	Don Siegel, Robert Daley
Starring	Clint Eastwood, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni, John Vernon
Music	Lalo Schifrin
Cinematography	Bruce Surtees
Editing	Carl Pingitore
Studio	Warner Bros., Malpaso Productions
Released	December 18, 1971
Runtime	102 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$4 million
Gross	$36 million

Dirty Harry is a 1971 American action film directed by Don Siegel and starring Clint Eastwood as the titular character, Harry Callahan, a San Francisco Police Department inspector. The film was produced by Warner Bros. and Malpaso Productions, with a screenplay by Harry Julian Fink, R.M. Fink, and Dean Riesner. The movie also features Harry Guardino as Al Bressler, Reni Santoni as Chico Gonzalez, and John Vernon as The Mayor of San Francisco. The film's score was composed by Lalo Schifrin, who also worked on the Bullitt soundtrack.

Introduction

Dirty Harry is set in San Francisco, where a series of serial killings takes place, with the killer, Scorpio Killer, demanding a ransom from the city. The film's protagonist, Harry Callahan, is a tough, no-nonsense police inspector who is tasked with tracking down the killer. Along the way, he must navigate the complexities of the San Francisco Police Department and deal with the pressures of the Mayor of San Francisco and the District Attorney. The film's themes of crime and justice are reminiscent of other classic crime films, such as The French Connection and Bullitt, which also starred Steve McQueen and Gene Hackman. The film's influence can also be seen in other action films, such as Die Hard and Lethal Weapon, which starred Bruce Willis and Mel Gibson.

Plot

The film's plot follows Harry Callahan as he hunts down the Scorpio Killer, who is terrorizing the city of San Francisco. Along the way, he must deal with the San Francisco Police Department's bureaucracy and the pressures of the Mayor of San Francisco and the District Attorney. The film's plot is full of twists and turns, with Harry Callahan using his .44 Magnum to take down the killer. The film's climax features a showdown between Harry Callahan and the Scorpio Killer at Kezar Stadium, which is located in Golden Gate Park. The film's plot has been praised for its suspense and action, and has been influential in the action film genre, with films such as The Terminator and RoboCop drawing inspiration from it. The film's score, composed by Lalo Schifrin, adds to the film's tension and suspense, and has been praised by critics, including Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel.

Production

The film was produced by Warner Bros. and Malpaso Productions, with a budget of $4 million. The film was shot on location in San Francisco, with many of the city's landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, featuring prominently in the film. The film's cinematography was handled by Bruce Surtees, who also worked on the The Beguiled and The Outlaw Josey Wales. The film's editing was handled by Carl Pingitore, who also worked on the Coogan's Bluff and The Gauntlet. The film's score was composed by Lalo Schifrin, who also worked on the Mission: Impossible and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. soundtracks. The film's cast, including Clint Eastwood, Harry Guardino, and Reni Santoni, delivered strong performances, with Clint Eastwood's portrayal of Harry Callahan being particularly praised by critics, including Pauline Kael and Vincent Canby.

Reception

Dirty Harry was a major commercial success, grossing $36 million at the box office and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 1971. The film received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising the film's action and suspense. The film holds a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics praising the film's direction and performances. The film was also nominated for several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Film Editing and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. The film's success can be attributed to the chemistry between Clint Eastwood and the rest of the cast, including Harry Guardino and Reni Santoni, as well as the film's direction by Don Siegel. The film's influence can also be seen in other action films, such as The Dirty Dozen and The Wild Bunch, which starred Lee Marvin and William Holden.

Legacy

Dirty Harry has had a lasting impact on the action film genre, with many films drawing inspiration from it. The film's influence can be seen in films such as The Terminator and RoboCop, which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Peter Weller. The film's protagonist, Harry Callahan, has become an iconic character in popular culture, with many referencing the character in other films and television shows. The film's .44 Magnum has also become an iconic symbol of the film, with many referencing it in other films and television shows. The film has been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, and has been named as one of the greatest films of all time by Entertainment Weekly and The Guardian. The film's legacy continues to be felt, with many film critics and scholars studying the film's themes and influence on the action film genre. The film's influence can also be seen in other media, such as video games and music, with many referencing the film's characters and plot. Category:Action films