Rating: 
Summary: Clint Eastwood at his worst
Review: Now that Eastwood has disowned his "Dirty Harry" years, I guess Warner Studios thought they could make a quick buck by packaging the movies into a box set. While the first movie packed a punch, the latter ones were little more than retreds of the original, much like Charles Bronson's "Death Wish" movies. Personally, I think Dirty Harry was Eastwood at his worst, transforming him from a High Plains Drifter into a tough cop tracking down the lawless elements in society. But, the movies made the Magnum the most popular handgun in America.
Rating: 
Summary: Get this set... Any Which Way You Can.
Review: Ok... I know.. I know... joke police, pull over. But really, what better gift for a Dirty Harry fan (i.e. my step-father), than a 5-DVD set of all the DH flicks? Action-packed, 1970s-era violence, Zodiac killers, San Francisco, smokin' suits, .45 Magnums, and Eastwood's long-departed sideburns... what else is there?
Rating:
Summary: At last Harry Callahan on DVD!!!!
Review: One of the better box sets that I have had the privlege to buy. The transfer onto DVD is excellent, and the set's picture clarity, and surround sound is second to none. I could hope for a couple of more extras to go with the set, but I don't want to split hairs. I still find these movies very enjoyable to watch and as I said with the picture being nicely cleaned up. It looks like they were filmed yesterday instead of thirty years ago!! Enjoy!!
Rating: 
Summary: The first two are great, the rest o.k.!!
Review: The five "Dirty Harry" films were a great vehicle for Clint Eastwood, The 1971 Original was definately ahead of its time as Harry Callahan tracks & tries to stop a sniper who is demanding money from the City of San Francisco, some of the city's best shots are in this movie, Eastwood's portrayal of a no-nonsense cop who gets no more than 4 amendments wrong as he catches & stops the sniper & then is questioned for his tactics is as real as it gets, & really makes you question the justice system & its treatment of criminals, this is in all fairness the film that paved the way for many cop shows that followed such as "Kojak" & "Starsky & Hutch" as well as films such as "Lethal Weapon", the second film>> "Magnum Force" continues Harry's one-liners & no-nonsense approach to crime, as he investigates several murders invoving many crime lords, only to discover that vigilante cops are doing the killings, & at one point try to seduce him into joining their cause as they talk about the ineffectiveness of the judicial system & that he of all people should understand their cause, echoing his feelings in the first film about criminals, like the first film, some of San Francisco's best shots are here, the third film>>> "The Enforcer" is where this series starts to lose its appeal as Harry is assigned to stop a biker gang who have kidnapped the Mayor for ransom, this one is slow & by the time the end comes, you have lost interest, the fourth film>>> "Sudden Impact" doesn't feel like a Dirty Harry film at all, this one has Eastwood's then girlfriend Sandra Locke as a vengeful woman hell bent on killing the men who gang-raped her, & succeeds up till the last one, who outsmarts her & is saved by Harry, only the last 10 minutes are good as Harry finishes off the last rapist & Locke's speech about vigilante justice & how rape victims are often ignored by the justice system, the fifth film>>>> "The Dead Pool" does get back to the elements of the first two, with some of the city's best shots, especially a neat chase scene throughout the streets of the city, that I don't think have been duplicated since, & this time Harry is chasing a killer who is knocking off famous people, Liam Neeson(Star Wars Ep I) is here in one of his first movie roles who is a filmaker who may or may not be the killer, as is Jim Carrey as a drugged-out, burnt out b-movie star who falls victim, there are also many un-related attempted murders on Callahan, as he not only has to find the killer, but foil hired killers of a crime boss he put away, how he stops their assaults are funny when he visits the crime boss himself in prison, this one definately brought back the glory of the first two!!
Rating:
Summary: A Good looking Dirty collection
Review: The November 2001 'Collection' release should please Dirty Harry
die-hards a great deal. Look up the individual titles for more detailed comments from me.=-=-=-==-=-=-=- DIRTY HARRY (1971) 4- Stars =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= A very well made genre film that holds up very well and remains
a pretty violent and gritty film. Directed by Don Siegel and featuring one of Eastwoods finest and most charismatic performances, this is the one that set into stone one of the most enduring formulas for action films. A formula still in use today. =-=-=-=-=-=-= Magnum Force (1973) 3 1/2 stars =-=-=-=-=-=-=
the first Harry sequel is a film for action movie and or Eastwood junkies to appreciate. It softens Dirty Harry's character however and actually makes more political type statements than Dirty Harry does. It's not a great genre film but it mostly holds up pretty well and is entertaining. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE ENFORCER (1976) 2 1/2 stars =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Enforcer really changed Harry Callahan's character. On one hand he's a bad-(...) quick with the quips kind of a guy... but he's really quite a softie. The film turns Harry into a kind of fish out of water dinosaur. When it was made, that variation on the Action film hero wasn't as cliché'd as it is now, but it still feels forced and insincere. It's watch-able but don't have high expectations for this one. Lalo Schiffrin didn't do the score for this one unfortunately and he's missed. This is also John (one year younger brother of Robert) Mitchum's last Harry film (he played Detective
'Fatso' DiGeorgio in the first three Harry's). * * * * =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- SUDDEN IMPACT (1983) 3 1/2 stars =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
This is probably the best Harry sequel, and though it doesn't quite offer as much visceral fun as the other Harry's it's one to catch if you're an Eastwood/Harry fan. This is the only Dirty Harry that Eastwood directed. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- DEAD POOL (1988) 2 stars =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Dead Pool undoubtedly looked great on paper for several reasons. Unfortunately it plays out like
A very desperate, tired film with ideas that are more silly than clever.
DVD STUFF Nearly all of the films in the Dirty Harry Collection of DVD's are presented in Anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen The exception would be The Dead Pool (1.85:1). The original Dirty Harry is not a re-release of the original DVD from a couple of years ago. This time out a sterling print was found and restored and digitally transferred. The original Dirty Harry has never looked better. Most of these 5 Dirty Harry films are presented at their best with colors vibrant, black levels strong and few technical problems present. Sudden Impact's quality is slightly less and there's a couple of moments where print damage glitches are very noticeable. Minor stuff over-all thankfully. The Enforcer and Dead Pool are the two films that are not Dual Layered, but in the case of The Enforcer that doesn't seem to affect the quality at all. Dead Pool's presentation is a few links down the chain from the others. It's the newest film but has the most flaws visible. It's a little less crisp and sharp than even the original Dirty Harry and has more print damage visible than the others.
All of the films have been given a complete audio over-haul and the engineers have done a superb job on all the films. The older films in particular have been improved a great deal with a very well done sound re-design. I suspect some re-recording of some foley type effects took place because some of the sound effects sound utterly free from distortion which you would expect to crop up in loud sound effects from 30 years ago. All of the films have a Dolby 5.1. track that has been masterfully presented. Dialogue is easy to hear, and the sound effects
And music effectively use the surround capabilities of all the speakers without over-doing it . DVD EXTRAS: Dirty Harry has by far the most extras of any DVD in this series. I have reviewed Dirty Harry Separately but a heres a quick run-down of its extras: * * * * This new Dirty Harry release boasts several features including the all new 30th anniversary Documentary Dirty Harry:The Original. A 29 minute puff piece celebration of all things Harry Callahan that Dirty Harry fans will enjoy. Not a hint of controversy is mentioned and not a discourage word is uttered. Those interviewed recently for the documentary include: Clint Eastwood, Andy Robinson,John Milius, Evan Kim, Hal Holbrook, Patty Clarkson and Harry fan: Arnold Schwarzenegger. Robert Urich (who was in Magnum Force - Dirty Harry 2) hosts the puff piece as he visits the sites of several of the films' original locations. Lots of clips from the Harry films are included. You also get a separate Interview Gallery which shows slightly longer and sometimes different interview sound bites of all of the above participants. The original promo piece from 1971 is under 7 minutes, called Dirty Harry's Way and is fun to watch containing a few Behind the scenes shots and glimpses of Siegel and company at work making the movie. Magnum Force gets the 8 minute featurette entitled The Hero Cop: Yesterday and Today and was made as part of the promotional campaign for film in 1973. It has some behind the scene snippets of Ted Post directing Eastwood. The original trailer is not in very good shape on this one. The Enforcer gets a short featurette used as publicity in 1976 that looks at the celebrity of Eastwood and of Dirty Harry. A few shots from behind the scenes are included. Sudden Impact and Dead Pool are nearly bare bones with a couple of production notes, memorable lines, list of cast and main crew and their original theatrical trailers included on the DVD. There's nothing of any real substance to any of these extras, but if you're a fan of any of the films you'll enjoy what there is of them. BOTTOM LINE: If you're big fan of all things Dirty Harry you take the plunge and buy the boxed set of all 5 films. It will really 'make your day' but be careful or they might 'blow your head clean off." Christopher Jarmick, is the author of The Glass Cocoon with Serena F. Holder (...).
Rating:
Summary: Not To Take Anything Away From Mr. Eastwood
Review: The original Dirty Harry is one of my all time favorite movies...one that i have seen so many times that i almost know the script word for word. Clint Eastwood was "marvelous" in the role of Harry Callahan...surpassed only be the various characters he has portrayed in westerns. However, not to take anything away from Mr. Eastwood, it was Andy Robinson ("Scorpio") who made the original Dirty Harry movie the best in the series. In my opinion, Mr. Robinson played the PERFECT madman...better than i have seen in any movie employing such a character.
Rating:
Summary: Not To Take Anything Away From Mr. Eastwood
Review: The original Dirty Harry is one of my all time favorite movies...one that i have seen so many times that i almost know the script word for word. Clint Eastwood was "marvelous" in the role of Harry Callahan...surpassed only be the various characters he has portrayed in westerns. However, not to take anything away from Mr. Eastwood, it was Andy Robinson ("Scorpio") who made the original Dirty Harry movie the best in the series. In my opinion, Mr. Robinson played the PERFECT madman...better than i have seen in any movie employing such a character.
Rating:
Summary: an uneven group of action films
Review: This box set contains all five of Clint Eastwood's films in the "Dirty Harry" series (1971-1988 ). Given the tremendous popularity of the eponymous 1971 classic, it is hardly surprising that Warner Brothers would commission a line of sequels. It is clear that "DIRTY HARRY" stands on its own as one of the best action films ever made and easily merits a five star rating. The sequels ( a Dirty Harry "franchise" ), while drawing on the original for their frame of reference, have nowhere near the same power and focus as the original. The following sets forth brief descriptions of the four sequels ( the review for the original appears in the 30th anniversary DVD edition "DIRTY HARRY" ). MAGNUM FORCE ( 1973 ) is interesting chiefly for the interplay between Callahan and Lt Briggs ( played by Hal Halbrook ).There is, as one would expect, a lot of action but of a routine and disconnected nature, fulfilling the bare minimum required by the genre but notably lacking the creative direction Don Siegel furnished in the original. The main plot ( part of the double meaning of the title ) involves a secret "death squad" functioning within the police department; interestingly, the storyline appears to have been developed as a counter to accusations ( made by the cultural left ) that the first film was "fascistic". Eastwood's charisma and a few good lines notwithstanding, the film runs on for far too long to little effect. TWO-STAR RATING. THE ENFORCER ( 1976 ) is the worst of the entire DH series, containing a ridiculous plot centering on underground revolutionary criminals ( modeled on the SLA ) with the subplot focused on the bantering exchanges between Callahan and his ( female ) partner ( played by Tyne Daly ). The cheesy "jazz" score that drones on through the center of the film is extremely irritating and while Eastwood has a few good scenes, interest is not sustained. The final 10 minutes ( location shooting on Alcatraz Island ) is worth a look but all in all this movie does not repay the effort of watching it. ONE-STAR RATING. SUDDEN IMPACT ( 1983 ) is the only Dirty Harry film directed by Eastwood and easily the best of the sequels. Several aspects set this film apart from the others: 1. The plot has some real substance, Sandra Locke giving a good performance as a successful artist who, haunted by the gang rape she and her sister suffered a decade earlier, stumbles upon one of the ( never punished ) thugs and sets out on a course of revenge against all the perpetrators. 2. The cinematography is excellent with Eastwood drawing upon his considerable directorial abilities. There is a convincing symmetry to the opening and closing titles ( beautiful overhead shots of nighttime San Francisco and an early morning overview of the Santa Cruz beachfront ). Several scenes ( Locke trapped in tormented reminiscence ) feature camera work drawing on a moodiness redolent of film-noir. There is also a nice daytime shot of Inspector Callahan looking over cliff-side crime scene, the entire length of the Golden Gate Bridge stretched out in a distant background. 3. Eastwood ( having aged nicely in the 12 year interim between the original film ) brings more fire to his characterization than he had in the other sequels; seething sarcasm in his verbal confrontations with department officials and a ruthless, stone-cold application of force toward the repulsive criminals ( the villains are particularly well-portrayed ). 4. Lalo Schifrin' music score is the best since his work on the original. Drawbacks? There are a few unnecessary action sequences which mar the otherwise unusually ( for the series ) focused storyline. FOUR-STAR RATING. THE DEAD POOL ( 1988 ) is last film in the series and is certainly the most unorthodox of the sequels. Eastwood had obviously tired of the character and signed off on a script that allowed him to integrate two subplot themes that actually "trump" the ( superficial ) main storyline. 1. A satirical edge ( most apparent in its parody of the famous car chase in "BULLITT" ). 2. An indictment of both sensationalistic TV journalism and the narcissistic "cult" of celebrity prevalent in modern America. The main storyline is fairly absurd and the action scenes are woodenly routine ( mob shootouts and diner robberies ) but Eastwood still looks and talks the part of Harry Callahan, with some good verbal jousts with an attractive television reporter and an arrogant schlock movie director ( played by Liam Neeson ). A young Jim Carrey plays the part of a drug addicted rock star. As one would expect, the movie makes extensive use of location shooting in ever-photogenic San Francisco but nothing other than mere competency is achieved. All in all, it is clear that the well had run dry and Eastwood ( sensibly enough ) had some tongue-in-cheek fun with this, the last shot Harry Callahan fired. TWO-STAR RATING. In conclusion: this box set is an obligatory purchase for Dirty Harry fans as well as for diehard Clint Eastwood "completists". For less dedicated viewers, the original "Dirty Harry" is very highly recommended with "Sudden Impact" as an enjoyably distant second choice.
Rating:
Summary: an uneven group of action films
Review: This box set contains all five of Clint Eastwood's films in the "Dirty Harry" series (1971-1988 ). Given the tremendous popularity of the eponymous 1971 classic, it is hardly surprising that Warner Brothers would commission a line of sequels. It is clear that "DIRTY HARRY" stands on its own as one of the best action films ever made and easily merits a five star rating. The sequels ( a Dirty Harry "franchise" ), while drawing on the original for their frame of reference, have nowhere near the same power and focus as the original. The following sets forth brief descriptions of the four sequels ( the review for the original appears in the 30th anniversary DVD edition "DIRTY HARRY" ). MAGNUM FORCE ( 1973 ) is interesting chiefly for the interplay between Callahan and Lt Briggs ( played by Hal Halbrook ).There is, as one would expect, a lot of action but of a routine and disconnected nature, fulfilling the bare minimum required by the genre but notably lacking the creative direction Don Siegel furnished in the original. The main plot ( part of the double meaning of the title ) involves a secret "death squad" functioning within the police department; interestingly, the storyline appears to have been developed as a counter to accusations ( made by the cultural left ) that the first film was "fascistic". Eastwood's charisma and a few good lines notwithstanding, the film runs on for far too long to little effect. TWO-STAR RATING. THE ENFORCER ( 1976 ) is the worst of the entire DH series, containing a ridiculous plot centering on underground revolutionary criminals ( modeled on the SLA ) with the subplot focused on the bantering exchanges between Callahan and his ( female ) partner ( played by Tyne Daly ). The cheesy "jazz" score that drones on through the center of the film is extremely irritating and while Eastwood has a few good scenes, interest is not sustained. The final 10 minutes ( location shooting on Alcatraz Island ) is worth a look but all in all this movie does not repay the effort of watching it. ONE-STAR RATING. SUDDEN IMPACT ( 1983 ) is the only Dirty Harry film directed by Eastwood and easily the best of the sequels. Several aspects set this film apart from the others: 1. The plot has some real substance, Sandra Locke giving a good performance as a successful artist who, haunted by the gang rape she and her sister suffered a decade earlier, stumbles upon one of the ( never punished ) thugs and sets out on a course of revenge against all the perpetrators. 2. The cinematography is excellent with Eastwood drawing upon his considerable directorial abilities. There is a convincing symmetry to the opening and closing titles ( beautiful overhead shots of nighttime San Francisco and an early morning overview of the Santa Cruz beachfront ). Several scenes ( Locke trapped in tormented reminiscence ) feature camera work drawing on a moodiness redolent of film-noir. There is also a nice daytime shot of Inspector Callahan looking over cliff-side crime scene, the entire length of the Golden Gate Bridge stretched out in a distant background. 3. Eastwood ( having aged nicely in the 12 year interim between the original film ) brings more fire to his characterization than he had in the other sequels; seething sarcasm in his verbal confrontations with department officials and a ruthless, stone-cold application of force toward the repulsive criminals ( the villains are particularly well-portrayed ). 4. Lalo Schifrin' music score is the best since his work on the original. Drawbacks? There are a few unnecessary action sequences which mar the otherwise unusually ( for the series ) focused storyline. FOUR-STAR RATING. THE DEAD POOL ( 1988 ) is last film in the series and is certainly the most unorthodox of the sequels. Eastwood had obviously tired of the character and signed off on a script that allowed him to integrate two subplot themes that actually "trump" the ( superficial ) main storyline. 1. A satirical edge ( most apparent in its parody of the famous car chase in "BULLITT" ). 2. An indictment of both sensationalistic TV journalism and the narcissistic "cult" of celebrity prevalent in modern America. The main storyline is fairly absurd and the action scenes are woodenly routine ( mob shootouts and diner robberies ) but Eastwood still looks and talks the part of Harry Callahan, with some good verbal jousts with an attractive television reporter and an arrogant schlock movie director ( played by Liam Neeson ). A young Jim Carrey plays the part of a drug addicted rock star. As one would expect, the movie makes extensive use of location shooting in ever-photogenic San Francisco but nothing other than mere competency is achieved. All in all, it is clear that the well had run dry and Eastwood ( sensibly enough ) had some tongue-in-cheek fun with this, the last shot Harry Callahan fired. TWO-STAR RATING. In conclusion: this box set is an obligatory purchase for Dirty Harry fans as well as for diehard Clint Eastwood "completists". For less dedicated viewers, the original "Dirty Harry" is very highly recommended with "Sudden Impact" as an enjoyably distant second choice.
Rating:
Summary: Clint Messiahwood is Dirty Harry
Review: This collection is too godlike. "Dirty Harry" - Clint Eastwood plays Inspector Harry Callahan who has just been brought in to find a maniacal psycho who is playing as a sniper in San Francisco. Dirty Harry gets all of the dirty jobs and demolishes everything. He even took care of a group of bank robbers while eating a hot dog... He punched out a suicidal man ready to jump off of a building... He then took care of the psycho. "I have the right... to a lawyer!" the weird man screamed. The most powerful handgun in the world, yes. That psycho deserved what was coming to him after taking a school bus hostage... Harry must've made that guy fly ten feet in the air off of that little pier... "Magnum Force" - A group of vigilantes are cleaning up the streets the old fashioned way, above the law. Well, nobody is above the law except for Dirty Harry. Silly partners always get it. Those rookie cops sure can shoot. "Harry, you shot a good guy... An ok sequel with Clint Eastwood taking care of business once again. "The Enforcer" - Harry is assigned with his first woman partner. This time a group of protesters who do dastly deeds are threatening the mayor and only he, the Messiah, Dirty Harry can take care of them... The movie is slow and it builds up to a huge climax on Alcatraz Island. A rocket launcher was the perfect choice to take out the main rebel, but poor partner got it once again. Will they ever learn that Lordage doesn't need any partners? "Sudden Impact" - Grisly murders are taking place all done by the same killer. A woman who is looking for justice takes the law into her own hands. "Go ahead and make my day." Dirty Harry takes care of plenty of garbage in this movie. Watch the end where he comes back to the ferris wheel and then the guy falls onto a unicorn... Ok, but why did Harry let the woman go? Bad Harry. "The Dead Pool" - Probably the funniest and best movie since the first. Harry investigates murders that are happening on a movie set. A little remote controlled car chases Harry down the streets of San Francisco and Harry spears the bad guy at the end, literally. "Welcome to the jungle!"... If you don't buy this, then you are pure mortal.
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