Dirty Harry | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

Audience Reviews

William Outstanding Clint Eastwood movie. Jump started his movie career in America! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/30/21 Full Review Benjamin H The to-the-point and exciting Dirty Harry is elevated by the presence of Clint Eastwood, however that doesn't stop the film from being somewhat predictable, occasionally over-the-top and rushed at the end. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/10/24 Full Review Jay H "A friend of mine was up about 20 floors with a jumper a few years ago. The jumper grabbed him, they went off, 20 floors down. Just mashed 'em all to bits. You couldn't tell which legs were which, you couldn't tell which arms were which, it was a terrible mess." Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/27/24 Full Review Audience Member Extremely slow paced and minimum dialogue. Not good. I expected more. Rated 1.5/5 Stars • Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 04/24/24 Full Review Alec C This cop takes every dirty thing that comes along, and has no problem dishing it out as well! Harry Callahan is on the trail of the deranged Scorpio, a sad*stic murderer who has the town of LA playing to his whims, and must go above the law in order to ensure that justice is served. You should feel lucky to watch this movie one time in your life, because Clint Eastwood is packing heat and action in equal measure! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/17/24 Full Review Matthew D Ultra cool style with brutal action!Director Don Siegel's action thriller Dirty Harry (1971) is the pinnacle of 1970's gritty crime films. Siegel takes advantage of perilous scenarios and haunting shadows to make the city seem terrifyingly dangerous. Siegel's direction is peerless and swift with outstanding shootouts and fun encounters. He is critiquing Dirty Harry's vicious police brutality, while simultaneously upholding that an experienced officer needs to do things sharp and shrewdly to solve certain cases. Siegel knows how to get a riveting performance out of Clint Eastwood and puts bombastic jazz underneath all of Harry's career exploits.Writers Harry Julian Fink, Rita M. Fink, and Dean Riesner craft a tale of a mad sniper on rooftops terrorizing the city for a ransom and his own sad*stic pleasure. Dirty Harry has interesting questions about the ethics of appeasing criminals seeking money or how far do you go to make an arrest. I like that Dirty Harry is a tough and cunning cop that does anything to get to the villain. He goes over the top in violence, but since Dirty Harry is a movie, it is all the more exciting to see Clint Eastwood fire off rounds.Clint Eastwood is amazing and riveting as the ultra cool and ruthless Inspector Harry Callahan. Clint looks handsome, fearless, mean, and skeptical of everyone. Eastwood brings Dirty Harry to life with a dry wit for hilarious jokes and a fierce scowl as he glares at everyone else. Harry Guardino is great as the no nonsense Lieutenant Al Bressler. Reni Santoni is likable as the amiable new partner for Dirty Harry named Chico Gonzalez. John Vernon is excellent as the Mayor of San Francisco. Andy Robinson is unhinged as the trigger happy sniper creep Scorpio.Editor Carl Pingitore keeps Dirty Harry's pacing fast with slick cuts that trim all the fat. It's crime to crime and lets Dirty Harry feel competent and cunning, like he's solving crimes quickly. Cinematographer Bruce Surtees uses super stunning close-up shots of Clint Eastwood that are as beautiful as the far wide shots of the city's skyline. The crafty perspectives and angles are constantly engaging with steady camera panning and tilts. Dirty Harry is so perfectly shot with some mesmerizing shots. Every shot of Clint pointing his long barrel handgun is iconic.Art director Dale Hennesy uses dirty city streets and heavy shadows to build up a gritty visual atmosphere. Set decorator Robert De Vestel puts all manner of props around from guns to evidence for realism. The huge stunt team flip cars, fire guns, and wreck the city in vicious fights and violence encounters.Composer Lalo Schifrin's upbeat jazz film score is moody and dazzling. He sets a dark, yet playful tone for Dirty Harry. The hyper jazz drumming is wicked and enthralling alongside the eerie synths, choir, and horns. Sound designers William Randall, Dan Wallin, and Sergio Reyes craft a regular city soundscape. The police sirens, car horns honking, people chatting in the background, car tires scraping, to buses honking. Makeup artist Gordon Bau gives everyone raw appearances and Clint Eastwood a clean cut manly look. Hairstyling from Jean Burt Reilly gives Eastwood the coolest flowing 70's big hair.In all, Dirty Harry is awesome and remains a fun watch with its hard boiled characters, ruthless police brutality, and killer action. Clint Eastwood is fantastic and captivating for all of Dirty Harry's 102 minute run-time. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/29/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Dirty Harry

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