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Title: Magnum Force (1973)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Clint Eastwood | ... | ||
| Hal Holbrook | ... |
Lt. Briggs
|
|
| Mitch Ryan | ... |
McCoy
(as Mitchell Ryan)
|
|
| David Soul | ... |
Davis
|
|
| Tim Matheson | ... |
Sweet
|
|
 |
Kip Niven | ... |
Astrachan
|
| Robert Urich | ... |
Grimes
|
|
|
|
Felton Perry | ... |
Early Smith
|
|
|
Maurice Argent | ... | |
| Margaret Avery | ... |
Prostitute
|
|
|
|
Richard Devon | ... |
Ricca
|
|
|
Tony Giorgio | ... |
Palancio
|
|
|
Jack Kosslyn | ... |
Walter
|
|
|
Bob March | ... |
Estabrook
|
|
|
Bob McClurg | ... |
Cab Driver
|
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
San Francisco Police Inspector 'Dirty' Harry Callahan and his new partner, Early Smith have been temporarily reassigned from Homicide to Stakeout Duty. Meanwhile, those of the city's criminals who manage to avoid punishment by the courts are nevertheless being killed by unknown assassins. Callahan begins to investigate the murders despite the orders of his superior officer, Lieutenant Briggs. A man has to know his limitations... Written by Bruce Janson <bruce@cs.su.oz.au>
Taglines:
Clint Eastwood is back in 'Full Force' as Dirty Harry in "Magnum Force." See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
25 December 1973 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Vigilance See more »Box Office
Gross:
SEK 2,295,452 (Sweden)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
Harry Callahan: Taking apart the mailbox, what does it look like?
Man at Mailbox: Well you people live here, right? What the hell are you doing to the mailbox, did you lose your key?
Harry Callahan: Why don't you mind your own goddamn business?
Man at Mailbox: Ummm. That's my mailbox too, now. Don't you get smart with me!
[after a moment]
Man at Mailbox: Tampering with the mail's a federal offense. I'm calling the police.
[starts to head upstairs to do so]
Harry Callahan: I am the police.
Man at Mailbox: [comes back down] What?... oh. The ...
[...]
See more »
Did You Know?
Goofs
When the cop pulls over the mob's limo, he parks his motorcycle parallel to the vehicle, but in the next shot it is parked perpendicular the limo. See more »Quotes
Man at Mailbox: [seeing Harry take apart a mailbox] Hey, what's going on down here?Harry Callahan: Taking apart the mailbox, what does it look like?
Man at Mailbox: Well you people live here, right? What the hell are you doing to the mailbox, did you lose your key?
Harry Callahan: Why don't you mind your own goddamn business?
Man at Mailbox: Ummm. That's my mailbox too, now. Don't you get smart with me!
[after a moment]
Man at Mailbox: Tampering with the mail's a federal offense. I'm calling the police.
[starts to head upstairs to do so]
Harry Callahan: I am the police.
Man at Mailbox: [comes back down] What?... oh. The ...
[...]
See more »
Second outing for Clint Eastwood's anti-hero is an absorbing thriller, let down by some sloppy characterisation and the lack of a killer (no pun intended) scene or even iconic dialogue. It starts off poorly with the title credits lamely played over an almost static shot of the title weapon (very "Sledge Hammer") but once we get past the token scene reminding us of Harry's "shoot first, ask questions later" policing policy, the main plot strand about an internal police death-squad violently taking out known felons dominates the film.
There are some humanising touches around Harry's character, although these stereotypically show him as irresistible to women, rebellious to authority and almost friendly and caring for his young black sidekick, so that nothing new is revealed about what makes him tick. There is something condescending about the treatment of these supporting characters, especially the portrayal of Callahan's young Oriental neighbour who despite hardly seeing him around, seems desperate to jump into bed with him.
Better to stick with the action of which there is plenty. There's intrigue as Callahan's instincts lead him to find the true identities of the assassination bureau and a good twist as their ringleader emerges from the shadows.
The acting is mostly fine, Eastwood naturally dominating in his typical laconic manner. Hal Holbrook is also excellent as his testy superior and David Soul shines in a pre-Hutch role. Ted Post directs with some flair with some blunt lapses while Lalo Schifrin contributes a typically gritty soundtrack. The film makes its main point about the dangers of vigilantism and cleverly uses Harry Callahan of all people as a counterpoint to its proponents.
Some might argue as to whether all the violence was necessary and I felt the grisly death of a black prostitute bordered on the gratuitous but on the whole this was superior cop-fare and a good sequel to the trailblazing "Dirty Harry".