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Inspector Harry Callahan...
#1 on the list of the nation's endangered species!

 

Depts.

Homicide

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Stakeout

The Rooftop

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Persons

...with Magnum Force!

Directed by Ted Post
Screenplay by John Milius
and Michael Cimino
Produced by Robert Daley

Magnum Force
(1973)

"I'm afraid you've misjudged me."

Mysterious murders of underworld figures are being committed all over San Francisco.  One by one, criminals who have escaped prosecution are being brought to justice, the kind of justice you'd think Harry Callahan would approve of with a smile.  But if you think that way, you've misjudged Harry- and so have the killers.

The suspicion is falling on the biggest crime bosses in the city, but not Harry's suspicion.  He suspects it might be a cop- a traffic cop.  A group of uniformed vigilantes that have decided to take the law into their own hands.  Their real enemy is the system.  Unfortunately for them, the system is what Harry is sworn to protect.
Trivia

 

Eastwood hadn't planned on doing a sequel to Dirty Harry, but, the studio received so much fan mail requesting one, it was inevitable that Dirty Harry return.

Beginning in October 1973, a series of random attacks threatened San Francisco, eventually leaving 14 slain and 7 wounded.  These "Zebra Killings", (named for their suspected racial motivations), prompted the graffiti, "Dirty Harry, where are you now that we need you?"

Harry's name is listed as "Calahan" in the credits and all promotional items for the film.  It is also the German title of the film.

As Harry and Briggs drive off, watch closely and you'll see Briggs put his glasses on.  Then, in the very next shot, he puts them on again.

The film features early performances by David Soul, Tim Matheson, and Robert Urich as the rookie cops.

John Milius received $35,000 and a .44 Magnum for writing the script.   He insisted that the studio give him one of the guns as a way of remembering the film.

Frank DiGeorgio's name changes in every film.  In Dirty Harry it is listed as DeGeorgio, here it is DiGorgio, and in The Enforcer it becomes DiGeorgio.

During the pool party scene, watch for Suzanne Sommers as the pool girl who gets a ring.

Harry is still on the force, despite having thrown his badge away in the first film.  When asked about this fact, Eastwood simply grinned and said.  "Maybe there was a bit of elastic attached to the badge.  It sprang right back into his hand after the movie finished."
Quotes

 

Early:  Maybe it's a cop...Maybe it's Harry.

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Harry:  Well I just work for the city, Briggs.
Briggs:  So do I.  Longer than you, and I've never had to take my gun out of its holster.  I'm proud of that.
Harry:  Well, you're a good man, Lieutenant.  Good man always knows his limitations.

Sunny:  What does a girl have to do to go to bed with you?
Harry:  Try knocking on the door?

McCoy:  I'm afraid of time.  I know you ten years already, ever since I come out here.  D'you realize that?  You don't look older to me...do I look older to you?

Walter:  This close, it would have to have been someone they would never recognize.
Harry:  ...Or never suspect.

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DiGeorgio:  I think the kid beat you, Harry.
Harry:  It happens.

Early:  What happens if they get us both?
Harry:  Then they win.
Cast

 

Harry Calahan:  Clint Eastwood
Lieutenant Briggs:  Hal Holbrook
Charlie McCoy:  Mitch Ryan
Davis:  David Soul
Sweet:  Tim Matheson
Astrachan:  Kip Niven
Grimes:  Robert Urich
Early Smith:  Felton Perry
Nat Weinstein:  Maurice Argent
Prostitute:  Margaret Avery
Ricca:  Richard Devon
Palancio:  Tony Giorgio
Walter:  Jack Kosslyn
Estabrook:  Bob March
Cab Driver:  Bob McClurg
DiGorgio:  John Mitchum
Ricca's Driver:  Russ Moro
Guzman:  Clifford A. Pellow
J.J. Wilson:  Albert Popwell
Carol McCoy:  Christine White
Sunny:  Adele Yoshioka
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What would you have done?

I'd have upheld the law.