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“DON'T MISS! A cinematic punch in the face!
As far as '70s films go, it stands in the company of the greats.”
– Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York

“Transformed Clint Eastwood from mere movie star into American icon.”
- Dave Kehr, The New York Times

“Arguably the most important political movie made in Hollywood during the 1970s, DIRTY HARRY still has considerable panache. A sleazy action flick, it’s quintessential Don Siegel.”
– J. Hoberman, The Village Voice

“Volcanically real and graphic!”
- Bruce Bennett, The New York Sun

(1971) “There’s only one question you should ask yourself... ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?” queries Clint Eastwood’s .44 Magnum-wielding Harry Callahan of a recumbent crook, after breaking up a bank robbery attempt in between munches of his hot dog luncheon — and then the nutso “Zodiac Killer” (Andy Robinson, a pacifist in real life) strikes again. Eastwood’s first incarnation (followed by four not-quite-as-good sequels by other directors) of one of the icons of the American cinema gives the Miranda doctrine a workout — in between racing crosstown on foot for a kidnapper’s phone calls and breaking up a harrowing school bus abduction. Siegel’s biggest hit ever features an iconic Eastwood performance (making him #1 at the box office that year and for years to come); a quintessentially 70s Lalo Schifrin score; breathtaking locations, shot in Scope in Siegel’s favorite city (San Francisco — David Shipman lauds the director’s “dual use of the city, as a place of light and space and sea, and of scrap-dumps, seedy bars and liquor stores”); and a new high in movie violence — it didn’t just push the envelope; it tore it up completely — culminating with that opening question asked a second time, even more sadisticly. “As suspense craftsmanship, the picture is trim, brutal and exciting, directed in the sleekest style. It’s also a remarkably single-minded attack on liberal values, with each prejudicial detail in place — a kind of hard-hat The Fountainhead.” – Pauline Kael. “The movie’s moral position is fascist. No doubt about it.” – Roger Ebert. “If I do a film about a murderer, it doesn’t mean I condone murder. If I do a film about a hard-nosed cop, of course it doesn’t mean I condone all his actions. I find it very difficult to explain my reasons for making a film like Dirty Harry, other than that I’m a firm believer in entertainment.” – Siegel.