Dirty Harry Reviews | RateItAll

Dirty Harry

1971 American neo-noir action thriller film produced and directed by Don Siegel, the first in the Dirty Harry series Website

Approval Rate: 81%

81%Approval ratio

Reviews 15

Sort by:
  • by

    chalky

    Tue Jun 09 2009

    Well, AMC plays 'Dirty Harry' constantly. I take different things away from it though. For instance, Dirty Harry knew that liberal arts degrees were useless way back in 1971. Harry asked his new partner what his degree was in, and the new guy said sociology. Harry said: "Sociology? Oh, you'll go far." Had I watched Dirty Harry a bit closer, I probably wouldn't have majored in communication.

  • by

    spike65

    Sat Jul 19 2008

    A great cop film from Eastwood. And he could actually shoot straight. What a concept.

  • by

    lmorovan

    Mon Jun 30 2008

    Definitely a classic and one of the best Eastwood performance. They don't make movies like that anymore.

  • by

    genghisthehun

    Sun Apr 08 2007

    Politically incorrect and loving it.

  • by

    reaverto

    Sun Apr 08 2007

    Great movie, we need a Dirty Harry in every city with a high crime rate.

  • by

    edt4226d

    Tue Jun 21 2005

    Anyone who wants to chart the degeneration of the action picture over the past 20-30 years has only to compare this minor masterpiece with the current/recent crop of pap being churned out by Norris or Van Damme or Segal or Stallone or...whomever. Dirty Harry was essentially a Republican conservative's wet dream but, for all that, it was entertaining and effective. Eastwood was never an actor of any great range or ability, but he had exactly the right charisma and skill for the parts he specialized in, and he's perfect here as the ruthless, iconoclastic cop. The action never flags, and the supporting actors are wonderful too (I agree with Callitdowntheline75 that Andy Robinson is outstanding as the killer). Add into the mixture the beautiful scenery of San Francisco, a healthy measure of 70's cynicism and humor, the direction of Don Siegel, and a screenplay based in part on the true-crime killing spree of the Zodiac Killer of the late 60's, and you have a superlative action thriller, wh... Read more

  • by

    big_j826

    Thu Feb 17 2005

    Clints the man. What a tough dude.

  • by

    callitdownthel_ine75

    Fri Jul 09 2004

    'Dirty Harry' set the standard for all cop movies, though it is relatively underrated. As good as Clint Eastwood is, Andy Robinson is on par as the treacherous Scorpio. This is truly a great movie.

  • by

    jamie_mcbain

    Tue Jun 29 2004

    One of the best of the series, and with a classic line too. Do you feel lucky punk? Well do you?

  • by

    irishgit

    Thu Mar 11 2004

    Competent, nihilistic trash.

  • by

    classictvfan47

    Thu Mar 11 2004

    Way too dark to be enjoyable.

  • by

    virilevagabond

    Wed Mar 03 2004

    Released in 1971 and directed by Don Siegel, Dirty Harry essentially created the modern tough cop film genre. For the uninitiated, the story involves no-nonsense cop Dirty Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) who is working the mean streets of San Francisco. Callahan's personal law enforcement philosophy is based on the ends justifying the means, and he has little respect for legal niceties or reasonable force which does not make him a favorite among his more politically correct minded superiors. After apprehending the latest killer named Scorpio (Andrew Robinson), Callahan only finds that his suspect is released on technicalities resulting in Harry taking matters into his own hands. Notwithstanding that three other actors were offered this part (Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, and Paul Newman), this film is all Eastwood as he delivers one line after another (eg You've got to ask yourself a question: do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk) that are all now immortal. The bottom line is that ther... Read more

  • by

    enkidu

    Tue Dec 16 2003

    Entertaining, in an ugly sort of way, but really just right-wing propaganda made in response to the Miranda decision.

  • by

    oldpompous

    Mon Dec 03 2001

    The quintessential Clint Eastwood movie. A great script, excellent direction and one of the all-time loathesome villians. The scene where the villain pays someone to beat him up is worth the price of the rental all by itself.

  • by

    dalt533om

    Sun Nov 14 1999

    If you don't give Dirty Harry 5 stars, then you are probably from France. The definitive movie in the pantheon of Clint Eastwood movies. "Do you feel lucky? Well, do you punk?"