I watched Dirty Harry on BluRay today, and it never ceases to amaze me. The 1970s "grit", the outstanding cinematography, script, casting, soundtrack, all spot on, and IMO, the best villain, if not in the series, but in 1970s movies.

I'm going to watch Magnum Force tomorrow, and I love the film, but I'm thinking the first one is the one. I'm going to follow with the others for the next days, and I love The Enforcer also.

What an opening.

Dirty Harry is probably the best film. Magnum Force has the best pacing.

I think my favorite is The Enforcer. It was the first rated R movie I remember seeing. I remember going with my parents. As a '70s kid, The Enforcer looks most like the SF Bay Area I grew up in. Tyne Daly's character was pretty cool.

Also, Lalo Schifrin's funky score is a signature of the series, but I always thought that Jerry Fielding's Enforcer entry was sadly overlooked. I love the jazzy piece that accompanies Clint chasing Tim Burrus across the city rooftops.

I did think that The Dead Pool was a poor way to end the series. I liked that Frank Miller wrote his Sin City - That Yellow Bastard story as a reaction to how disappointed he was after seeing The Dead Pool. That's why the character (played by Bruce Willis in the movie) carried a .44 Magnum.

In my mind, Gran Torino is the last Dirty Harry movie, with Kowalski just a replacement for the Harry Callahan character.

The original is still the best. It had the best story of the bunch, the rest were all about characters and specific scenes.

The Enforcer I enjoyed, thought Tyne Daly played her part well.

Sudden Impact has the iconic diner scene with the awesome statement, "Go Ahead, Make My Day"

If any of them are on, I'll watch them, it shows the San Francisco I grew up in, 70's. It wasn't a great time but, it was my childhood and there's a reason these movies resonated.

Magnum Force, hands down. My father took me to see this film. Loved it.

Funny that this thread came about. Last night I decided I would watch all 5 Dirty Harry films this weekend. I have them all on blu-ray and they look good. I made it thru Dirty Harry and half of Magnum Force before I went to bed. Gonna start where I left off and then try to get The Enforcer (my favorite) watched tonight.

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Originally posted by hberttmank:
I made it thru Dirty Harry and half of Magnum Force before I went to bed.

A good man always knows his limitations...

In order of best to worst: Dirty Harry, Magnum Force, Sudden Impact, The Enforcer, The Dead Pool. The latter film's model car bomb chase was ridiculous.

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Originally posted by parabellum:
Magnum Force, hands down. My father took me to see this film. Loved it.

Has David Soul before he was Hutch.

“I’m afraid you’ve misjudged me”. Mine would be Magnum force. Costars Tim Matheson, Robert Urich & David Soul. Great cast

I used to think 'Enforcer' was my favorite. Thinking about it more, it is a dead heat between the three. I have never considered 'Dead Pool' as qualifying for grouping with the others. I own all four on BluRay only because it was sold as a set.

With all due consideration I give it to 'Dirty Harry' with the simple tie breaker that it is the first and the original.

I'd have to cast my vote for "Magnum Force". The plot is intriguing (kinda Star Chamberesque), and I think we get a glimpse of Callahan's true integrity and what he thinks of the law.

Callahan: Well, I just work for the city, Briggs.

Briggs: So do I, longer than you. And I never had to take my gun out of its holster once. I'm proud of that.

Callahan: Well, you're a good man, lieutenant. A good man always knows his limitations...

BWAHAHAHA!!! Kicked Briggs right in the taint!!

Speaking of whale shit, what have you turned up Briggs?

Dirty Harry is the prime movie, it started the whole series, Dead Pool was the shark jump, the remote car chase was absurd, fine when it blew up the mercedes earlier but they went too far.

Magnum Force is one of my favorites, then again, I'd watch any of them over and over!!

I'm in for Magnum Force as the best of the bunch, although the original was good, too.

The Enforcer with Tyne Daley wasn't bad, but the last two are eminently missable.

quote:

Originally posted by Blackmore:

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Magnum Force, hands down. My father took me to see this film. Loved it.

Has David Soul before he was Hutch.

I think this role is probably why he became Hutch.

Magnum Force. But I will say that The Enforcer has some great comedy as well, pairing Tyne Daly as the female partner assigned to `Dirty Harry. It makes great fun of police bureaucracy as well.

I like the original and “Magnum Force” equally well. Different vibe between the two, but both still showing the essence of the character. I like a lot about “The Enforcer” and “Sudden Impact” and am not wild about “The Dead Pool.”

The first two entries in the series remain my favorites.

Close between Dirty Harry and Magnum Force. I'd have to give it Magnum force because of limited Vigilante angle. Harry had limits, where as the MC cops did not. Great movie in all aspects.

'A good man gots to know is limitation'. Loved the SFO scene too. The only way to deal with High Jackers before spec ops got involved.

I do love DH, because you can see the Film posters for 'Play Misty For Me' and another Eastwood film I now can't recall - damn.... So cool.

The Colt Pythons, the S&W Model 76 subgun, the Model 29 and all the talk about shooting skills, and the competition scene in the film- I just couldn't get enough of that stuff when I was that age.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
The Colt Pythons, the S&W Model 76 subgun, the Model 29 and all the talk about shooting skills, and the competition scene in the film- I just couldn't get enough of that stuff when I was that age.

This and in MF, Hal Holbrooks character was just so hateable, that dynamic was a great part of the movie too and when the car explodes, classic Harry smirk.

Agreed!

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
The Colt Pythons, the S&W Model 76 subgun, the Model 29 and all the talk about shooting skills, and the competition scene in the film- I just couldn't get enough of that stuff when I was that age.