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Here is a speech from Jim Carey at an Eastwood tribute in the 90s. Quite a few famous faces there including one all of us here know.
I used to love Carey in the 90s.
Coolest Madafaka to ever live who doesn't take crap from anyone.
Thanks for this link! I snagged another shot of me and Clint. :D
Had several observations during the viewing:
-In this PC age it's interesting to revisit films made during a different time when it comes to attitudes and comments and it can almost come across as mildly shocking. And almost 50 years on some of those issues are still with us as far as perps' rights, threats to school children, etc.
-It's still a really effective thriller as much as a detective/cop actioner. The kidnapped girl in the pit thing and the race against time to rescue her has been done to death in movies since, but it still really holds up here.
-The big cross Harry meets Scorpio at is really surreal.
-In a lot of movies, San Francisco looks glamorous, but here it can look as dirty and sleazy as NYC did in the '70s.
-The bank robbery/do ya' feel lucky punk scene is still a classic and never gets old. Part of the fun is Harry still chewing his hot dog while stopping the robbers.
-I don't know if it was part of the original cinematography, but there were some awfully dark parts, especially during the pursuit in the stadium.
-We talk a lot here about modern music scores being unmemorable. Lalo Schifrin's stands out here, adding to the experience. Maybe that theory isn't so far off.
-I noticed an interesting continuity issue. Harry's lieutenant has a photo of I'm guessing his daughters behind him in his office. The same photo of the two girls later shows up in the D.A.'s office. Maybe they share joint custody?
-I didn't recall the scene with Chico's wife and Harry discussing his dead wife. That was a pretty powerful scene. It's good there wasn't a forced romance for Harry in this film has some of the sequels had.
Can't wait to follow up with Magnum Force.
One of my all time favourite thrillers!
You didn't mention the scene where Harry talks down the jumper, in his own inimitable way. Director Don Siegel was ill that day that they were to film it, so Clint took over helming the sequence! You can see the difference in style!
Source: interview with Milius for Film Comment (by means of Wikipedia)
I like the film but I must say what Milius describes here regarding the script is better than what wound up in the finished movie. While I don't particularly care about showing or not showing the death of the woman, Harry's line about the pimp gives him more of that edgier attitude he showed in the first film. I don't think it was necessary to underplay that side of the character, even with the vigilante story. And I agree with Milius about Harry being a loner. By having him get together with the Japanese girl who lives down the stairs, the character is somewhat transformed and softened. He was originally presented as this cop who lives on the edge of the law and whose frustration with it and with crime (personally and professionally) made him bitter, curmudgeonly and lonely. If he gets it on with the girl in such an easygoing, amicable way, with no hint of conflict or sadness, the dark side of Harry is diminished. He becomes just a badass cop, rather than the melancholic character he was in the previous film. Beginning with Magnum Force, quasi-love interests were par for the course and while this and the other sequels are good, enjoyable films, I do miss the edgier portrayal of Harry that was present in the original film. The best of the bunch by far.
Yes, Harry is a melancholy loner , but hey, even melancholy loners enjoy a romp now and then . For her it could have been much the same. Skillful writing could have shown two detached, isolated people who connect for a moment of passing pleasure.
It didn’t need to be as glib and cozy.
One thing this film really got right:
And one thing that surprised me about it, in a good way:
It's brilliant on every level: cinematography, direction, acting, dialogue, music.
People nowadays tend to talk about Ledger's and Phoenix's Jokers but Andy Robinson's Scorpio trumps them all IMO. It's a performance for the ages and one that is sadly overlooked in discussions/lists including the greatest movie villains.
Most iconic movie villains are made to be charismatic/sympathetic (Hannibal Lecter, Hans Gruber, Joker, many Bond baddies) but I argue than it's much more difficult to portray a villain that is so irredeemably vile and yet so believable.
Scorpio is the ultimate cinematic psycho.
The first Dirty Harry film is definately one of the best in the genre, when I rewatched them on Bluray a few years ago I was pleasantly surprised that it was even greater than I remember, the direction is inventive and brilliant.
Well said.
Couldnt agree more. One of my all time favourite thrillers. Don Siegels direction is superb.
Scorpios scene with the kids on the bus still frightens the life out of me!
Interesting, the orginal script had Scorpio being shot by a police sniper at the airport!
Up yours, Pauline Kael!
I think my personal favorite, though might be SUDDEN IMPACT.
Paul Drake plays such a total scumbag in this film, it's ridiculous. You can't wait for Harry to just shoot the bastard.
He's a good villain, IMO. Well cast and creepy. He's kind of forgotten, really. He did a excellent job.