Dirty Harry (Anti-Hero Action/Police/Crime/Neo-Noir Thriller; 1971, screenplay by Harry Julian Fink & H.M, Fink and Dean Riesner, also uncredited: Jo Heims, Terrence Malick, John Milius)
The Logline: A violent psychopath terrorizing San Francisco kidnaps a teenage girl, demanding a large ransom, but when the mayor agrees to pay, a grizzled detective must break every rule necessary to bring her home safe.
Breaking down the elements: Context/Setting: San Francisco. The film was made in the shadow of the media frenzy around the real Zodiac Killer. Main Character: Anti-Hero Inspector Harry Callahan. Opposition: Villain, A psychopath referred to as the Scorpio Killer. The Trigger: Harry finds the killer’s letter with demands, but the mayor decides to go along with the demands, against Harry’s advice. Villain’s Goal: To terrorize San Francisco, to kidnap and kill randomly in order to extort the government. Anti-Hero’s Goal: When going by the book doesn’t bring the Scorpio killer to justice, Harry will do it by any means necessary. Although the goal is ultimately to save lives, the central conflict is to rescue a kidnapped teen. Anti-Hero’s Flaw/Description: A grizzled detective who believes the ends justify the means, a philosophy of Consequentialism Stakes/Consequences: Harry may lose his job for not following proper procedures, he may be killed by Scorpio, others may die, including the teen. Tone & Style: Formal/Serious/Dark, violent. Length: 35 words.
Extra Commentary: In its day, Dirty Harry was controversial for its depiction of police brutality. However, the years have been good to the film and to the character Harry Callahan, considered one of the greatest heroes in film. Not only did Dirty Harry spawn four sequels, it inspired the sub-genre of violent anti-hero movies that has hardly subsided in the five decades since its release.
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