'Dirty Harry (1971)' is not quite what you'd think from the reputation that precedes it but is still as iconic as you'd expect and, while Clint Eastwood's squinting straight-shooter isn't as exemplary as what is essentially his western equivalent, the disillusioned detective at the heart of this somewhat surprisingly dark tale is more than just the poker-faced, hand-cannon carrying cool cucumber he has come to be known as. The film itself is just as concerned with the slower moments as it is with its moments of action, all of which are done in a typical stand-off type of style which thankfully places more emphasis on tension than schlocky 'shoot 'em 'up' splendour, and there's a real, slightly revisionist grit underlying the narrative that's got something to say and isn't afraid to say it. 6/10

'DIRTY HARRY' was directed by Don Siegel and stars Clint Eastwood, Andrew Robinson and Reni Santoni. ​After a woman gets shot in a pool, it's up to Inspector Harry Callahan(Clint Eastwood) - Dirty Harry - to hunt down her killer, who threatens to kill one more every day until he gets $100,000.I understand that a six may seem harsh for the movie, considering the cult status it has achieved. And let me just clarify, I wholeheartedly recommend you see this movie; it definitely deserves a watch. It is a solid, interesting, DISPOSABLE thriller. But that is it's big flaw. It is just disposable. Obviously, there are some memorable and amazing moments but the plot drags it down for me.Expanding on that point, I love the concept of some serial killer manipulating a city into giving him money but I think the film throws too many 'twists and turns' to make it seem more intelligent than it is. I'd rather they stick with the, possibly cliché, story of Dirty Harry hunting down Scorpio, rather than try to make the plot more complicated. Probably just my personal preference but I still consider it some form of flaw. As a whole, it is very enjoyable but it just isn't that well structured or written.Another thing I wasn't a fan of was the climax. With the exception of some truly badass moments and scenes, it just felt rushed as a whole. The location is different and interesting but the way they UTILISE it wasn't. I didn't want a huge giant climax featuring tanks, fire and the Death Star(Yeah I know Star Wars wasn't released yet) because action wasn't the focus and I understand that. I just would have rather they either changed the premise of the climax entirely, or put a little more effort in. I do love the final minute or two, however.Clint Eastwood was amazing as Dirty Harry and I think this is his most iconic role. He really owns the character and knows the perfect mix of being likable and loathsome, to make a tough guy cop. Harry is a very interesting and well written protagonist. I am very happy his past was left in his past because that gives him a level of mystery and intrigue, which I hope isn't spoiled in the sequels when I watch them.Andrew Robinson is great as the eerily insane an terrifying Scorpio. Scorpio was genuinely threatening and scary. He was a classic loathsome villain, with no levels of likability or charisma. He was just classically bad and I really like that.Reni Santoni was passable as Chico Gonzalez. Gonzalez was just a bland and boring character. He had no qualities to make him interesting . Him and Callahan had NO chemistry and I really don't understand why he was even in the movie.The cinematography and editing was pretty solid for the most. It looked fine. I do have some issues with the lighting, however. It got too dark for me at points and it was pretty hard to see. The costume design was perfectly passable.This movie contains one of the greatest one liners in cinema history. I wont write it here because it will take too long but you need to see the movie just to see this line put to good use. As stated prior, this movie is a perfectly disposable thriller. I do recommend you watch it, however. I'll rate this film 6 'LUCKY PUNKS' out of 10.

I'm not really sure how, at my great age, this could be the very first time of seeing this film but I'm pretty certain it is. Looks very impressive in Blu-ray with magnificent opening scenes, shot from high up and far away and closing in on violent action in vivid, colourful close-up. Considering all the Italian police action films I have seen, odd that I should not have visited one of their major influences. Thinking about it Clint Eastwood is a pivotal and iconic figure, being influenced by but even more, himself influencing Italian crime and western films. This one is very tough and uncompromising and Eastwood strides through it, a man against the world, including the police officials he has to work around. Being of the early 70s the film is not as slick as one might expect today in so far as scenes crash and collide with night turning to day without a murmur. No time for niceties, its the story stupid! My only reservation, the film runs for 100 minutes, 90 would have made it more tight and we could probably have lost one of those meet ups with the major or governor. Splendid action though and again being early 70s goes out of its way to show a bit of sleaze every now and again.

Though there were several actors interested in the role, we can all be thankful that it was a 41 year-old Clint Eastwood that ultimately landed the role and film history was made.In this first (and best) installment of the series, we have Inspector Harry Callahan of the San Francisco P.D. on the trail of Scorpio, a sadistic serial-killer, whose attempting to extort the city of $100,000 - but the sum soon rises as do the stakes. The role of Scorpio is brilliantly portrayed by the little-known/under-rated actor Andy Robinson, who, after this movie should have gone on to do great things, but instead, he was soon cast for a role in a soap opera pathetically enough; of which he was soon fired from merely because "he's that mean man, from that scary movie". Knowing this, one can easily surmise that the soap opera crowd must be some of the softest and most delicate people in the world. Anyway back to the movie, Eastwoods good friend and mentor, veteran film director Don Sigel helmed the project, which was filmed in and around Clint's home town of San Fransisco and like all of the Dirty Harry films "the city by the bay" serves as the primary location of the series.Owing much to the fact that Scorpio's a homicidally insane night-owl, who has very busy night-life, many of the movies most crucial scenes occur at night, which were strikingly captured by the masterful eye of veteran cinematographer Bruce Sortees. The scene on the roof-tops involving the attempt on the catholic priests life, where Scorpio gleefully shoots-up the rotating "Jesus Saves" sign is the most perfectly composed/photographed night scene I've ever seen in a movie, another great one is the scene involving the labyrinthine layers of Kezar stadium (which dramatically ends with one of the best helicopter shots ever). Scorpio as you'll see, is a man whose not burdened by a conscience and leaves a trail of destruction virtually everywhere he goes and though he's highly impulsive, he's not stupid and ropes along Callahan, The Mayor and the SFPD for almost the entire movie, first with extortion attempts, then he tries his hand at blackmail - and more extortion.When watching this first outing of Dirty Harry one quickly realizes just how perfectly suited the cast and crew were, it's a marvel, a thing of sheer perfection and as a result of their combined talents, every single aspect of this film seems to fall perfectly into place and crystallizes at that moment, resulting in the creation of an iconic screen hero/film series. Though four more "Dirties" would follow, the first film still stands out as the best of the lot; but what are the reasons behind that, as there are so many to consider. First of all Eastwood's great as always - that's a given. However for me it's the thrillingly compelling performance of Andy Robinson, that elevates this film to the next level and the series never had a more effective antagonist. Huge props must also be given to Don Sigel, whose skillful direction fully compliments the film and keeps the pace rolling at a high level of intrigue. Sigel's direction is so to the point that there's not a single scene wasted, not even a single wasted frame.Another stalwart of the series is composer extraordinaire Lalo Schifrin (the man behind the Mission Impossible theme), who scored all but one of the series five films. But it's in this film that his music is most memorable and effective, Schifrin's music has a way of capturing the vibe of Scorpio's murky, night-time world, pitch perfectly. I'm particularly found of the tension his music stirs up whenever Scorpio is coldly eyeing his victim from a distance. Schrifin was, again, the perfect choice of composer, which as stated earlier is a recurring fact, when considering the people who where behind this classic film. Which finally brings us to George Milius, the films screen-writer, whose contributions are invaluable to this films lasting greatness. Milius is primarily remembered for his iconic "Do I feel lucky" routine, which Harry loves to taunt criminals with; his famous words are, of course, reinforced by the presence of his infamous partner - the mighty Smith & Wesson 44 magnum revolver. What this all adds up to is the best cop drama ever made and it's scary to think of how badly this movie would have sucked, with someone else in Clint's signature role. Give praise to the exploits of Inspector Callahan, as this series has been an institution of greatness for nearly the past half a century.