# Dirty Harry

> 1971 film directed by Don Siegel

**Wikidata**: [Q110206](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110206)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_Harry)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dirty-harry

## Summary
Dirty Harry is a 1971 action film directed by Don Siegel, starring Clint Eastwood as the titular character. It launched a successful film series and popularized the "tough cop" archetype in cinema. The film is recognized for its gritty portrayal of law enforcement and its cultural impact on the action genre.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: December 21, 1971 (Los Angeles), December 23, 1971 (New York City), with international releases spanning 1972–1973.
- **Director**: Don Siegel.
- **Starring**: Clint Eastwood as Inspector Harry Callahan.
- **Production Company**: Malpaso Productions (founded in 1967, headquartered in Burbank, U.S.).
- **Country of Origin**: United States.
- **Genre**: Action film, vigilante film.
- **Box Office**: Earned $25 million domestically (1971–1972).
- **Preservation**: Selected for the National Film Registry by the U.S. Library of Congress in 2012.
- **Runtime**: 102 minutes.
- **IMDb ID**: tt0066999.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q2712648.
- **Sitelink Count**: 56 Wikipedia language editions.
- **Part of Series**: *Dirty Harry* film series (5 sequels, 1973–1988).

## FAQs
**Who directed Dirty Harry and when was it released?**  
Dirty Harry was directed by Don Siegel and released in the U.S. on December 21, 1971, with international releases following in 1972–1973.

**What is the film’s cultural significance?**  
The film popularized Clint Eastwood’s iconic character, Inspector Harry Callahan, and influenced the action genre with its portrayal of a morally ambiguous "tough cop." It is preserved in the National Film Registry for its cultural and historical importance.

**What production company made the film?**  
Dirty Harry was produced by Malpaso Productions, a U.S.-based company founded in 1967, known for Clint Eastwood’s films.

**How was the film received commercially and critically?**  
The film grossed $25 million domestically and received critical acclaim for Eastwood’s performance and its tense direction. It holds a 89% Rotten Tomatoes score and 7.7/10 IMDb rating.

## Why It Matters
Dirty Harry is a landmark film that redefined the action genre and solidified Clint Eastwood’s status as a cinematic icon. Its portrayal of a rule-breaking police officer resonated with 1970s audiences disillusioned with authority, while its commercial success spawned a franchise. The film’s inclusion in the National Film Registry underscores its enduring influence on American cinema, particularly in shaping the "rogue cop" trope. It also popularized the .44 Magnum revolver, cementing its status in pop culture.

## Notable For
- **Cultural Icon**: Launched Clint Eastwood’s signature role as Harry Callahan, symbolizing anti-establishment vigilantism.
- **Box Office Success**: Grossed $25 million domestically, making it one of 1972’s top-grossing films.
- **Critical Acclaim**: Holds a 89% Rotten Tomatoes score and 7.7/10 IMDb rating.
- **Preservation**: Added to the National Film Registry in 2012 for its cultural significance.
- **Genre Influence**: Redefined the action film genre with its gritty realism and moral ambiguity.
- **Pop Culture Impact**: Popularized the .44 Magnum revolver and the line "Do you feel lucky, punk?"

## Body

### Production and Release
- **Director**: Don Siegel, known for *The Invasion of the Body Snatchers* (1956) and *Escape from Alcatraz* (1979).
- **Cast**: Clint Eastwood (Harry Callahan), John Vernon (The Scorpio Killer), and Andy Robinson (Chico).
- **Screenplay**: Harry Julian Fink, R.M. Fink, and Dean Riesner, based on a story by the Finks.
- **Filming Locations**: Primarily in San Francisco, with scenes at the Mission District, Aquatic Park, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
- **Release Strategy**: Premiered in Los Angeles on December 21, 1971, followed by a New York City release on December 23, 1971. International releases included the UK (January 8, 1972), Sweden (January 31, 1972), and Japan (October 3, 1972).

### Legacy and Preservation
- **National Film Registry**: Selected in 2012 by the U.S. Library of Congress for preservation, deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
- **Franchise Impact**: Spawned four sequels: *Magnum Force* (1973), *The Enforcer* (1976), *Sudden Impact* (1983), and *The Dead Pool* (1988).
- **Cultural References**: Parodied in *The Simpsons*, *Family Guy*, and *Scary Movie 4*, and homaged in films like *Hot Fuzz* (2007).

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 102 minutes (1 hour 42 minutes).
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.39:1 (Panavision).
- **Sound Mix**: Mono (Westrex Recording System).
- **Film Stock**: 35 mm.
- **Budget**: $2.5 million (estimated).

### Box Office and Reception
- **Domestic Gross**: $25 million (1971–1972), ranking among the top 10 highest-grossing films of 1972.
- **Critical Response**: Roger Ebert praised Eastwood’s performance, while Gene Siskel noted its "brutal efficiency." Modern reviews highlight its influence on action cinema.
- **Awards**: Clint Eastwood received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama.

### Related Entities
- **Malpaso Productions**: Founded by Clint Eastwood in 1967, the company produced all *Dirty Harry* films and other Eastwood projects like *Unforgiven* (1992).
- **National Film Registry**: Established in 1988, the registry includes 800+ films, such as *Casablanca* (1942) and *Star Wars* (1977), selected for preservation by the Library of Congress.
- **Clint Eastwood**: Actor and filmmaker who portrayed Harry Callahan in all five *Dirty Harry* films, later directing *Sudden Impact* (1983) and *The Dead Pool* (1988).

## References

1. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/brudny-harry)
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3. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066999/)
4. [Source](https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/dirty-harry/id530783541)
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6. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066999/fullcredits)
7. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
8. Virtual International Authority File
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10. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
11. Dirty Harry. Rotten Tomatoes
12. IMDb
13. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/de/title/tt0066999/releaseinfo)
14. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066999/releaseinfo/)
15. [Filmdienst](https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/23163/dirty-harry)
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066999/parentalguide)
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20. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/dirty-harry/)
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