The Enforcer (1976)

Director:

James Fargo

Writers:

Harry Julian Fink (characters) and
Rita M. Fink (characters) ...
(more)

Release Date:

22 December 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Thriller

Tagline:

First, there was 1971's "Dirty Harry, then "Magnum Force" in 1973. And now on the Bi-centennial year, Harry Calahan is "THE ENFORCER".

Plot:

Dirty Harry must foil a terrorist organization made up of disgruntled Vietnam veterans. But this time, he's teamed with a rookie female partner that he's not too excited to be working with.

Plot Keywords:

Dirty Harry | Partner | Terrorist | Inspector | Ransom

Cast

Clint Eastwood	...	Harry Callahan
Tyne Daly	...	Kate Moore
Harry Guardino	...	Lt. Bressler
Bradford Dillman	...	Capt. McKay
John Mitchum	...	DiGiorgio
DeVeren Bookwalter	...	Bobby Maxwell
John Crawford	...	The Mayor
Samantha Doane	...	Wanda
Robert F. Hoy	...	Buchinski (as Robert Hoy)
Jocelyn Jones	...	Miki
M.G. Kelly	...	Father John (as M. G. Kelly)
Nick Pellegrino	...	Martin
Albert Popwell	...	Mustapha
Rudy Ramos	...	Mendez
Bill Ackridge	...	Andy
Bill Jelliffe	...	Johnny
Joe Bellan	...	Freddie the Fainter
Tim O'Neill	...	Police Sergeant
Jan Stratton	...	Mrs. Grey
Will MacMillan	...	Lt. Dobbs
Jerry Walter	...	Krause
Steve Eoff	...	Bustanoby
Tim Burrus	...	Henry Lee
Michael Cavanaugh	...	Lalo
Dick Durock	...	Karl
Ronald Manning	...	Tex
Adele Proom	...	Irene DiGeorgio
Glenn Leigh Marshall	...	Army Sergeant
Robert Behling	...	Autopsy Surgeon
Terence McGovern	...	Disc Jockey (as Terry McGovern)
Stan Richie	...	Bridge Operator
John Roselius	...	Mayor's Driver
Brian Fong	...	Scoutmaster
Art Rimdzius	...	Porno Director
Chuck Hicks	...	Huey
Anne Macey	...	Madam (as Ann Macy)
Gloria Prince	...	Massage Girl
Kenneth Boyd	...	Abdul
Bernard Glin	...	Koblo
Fritz Manes	...	Detective #1
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Barbara Beebe	...	Porno Actress (uncredited)
George Cheung	...	Mendez Henchman (uncredited)
Michael L. Davis	...	Police Sergeant at Bombing (uncredited)
Roger Ferreira	...	Extra (uncredited)
Jean Glaudé	...	Militant (uncredited)
Arthur Malet	...	Innocent Bystander in Opening Action Sequence (uncredited)
Joe Spano	...	Mitch, Robber (uncredited)

Directed by
James Fargo

Writing credits
Harry Julian Fink		(characters) and
Rita M. Fink		(characters) (as R. M. Fink)
Stirling Silliphant		(screenplay) and
Dean Riesner		(screenplay)
Gail Morgan Hickman		(story) &
S.W. Schurr		(story) (as S. W. Schurr)

Produced by
Robert Daley	....	producer

Original Music by
Jerry Fielding

Cinematography by
Charles W. Short		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Joel Cox
Ferris Webster

Casting by
Mary Goldberg

Art Direction by
Allen E. Smith

Set Decoration by
Ira Bates

Costume Design by
Glenn Wright		(uncredited)

Makeup Department
Joe McKinney	....	makeup supervisor
Lorraine Roberson	....	hair stylist

Production Management
John G. Wilson	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Joseph C. Cavalier	....	assistant director (as Joe Cavalier)
Joe Florence	....	second assistant director
Billy Ray Smith	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Edward Aiona	....	property master (as Eddie Aiona)
Gerald MacDonald	....	construction coordinator (as Jerry MacDonald)

Sound Department
Les Fresholtz	....	sound re-recording mixer
Bert Hallberg	....	sound
Keith Stafford	....	sound effects editor

Special Effects by
Joseph A. Unsinn	....	special effects (as Joe Unsinn)

Stunts
Buddy Van Horn	....	stunt coordinator (as Wayne Van Horn)
Fred Brookfield	....	stunts (uncredited)
Anthony Cecere	....	stunts (uncredited)
George Cheung	....	stunts (uncredited)
Dick Durock	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bob Herron	....	stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Hicks	....	stunts (uncredited)
Robert F. Hoy	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bill Jelliffe	....	stunts (uncredited)
George Orrison	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Kenneth Adams	....	key grip (as Ken Adams)
Richard Barth	....	camera assistant (as Dick Barth)
Doug Cook	....	second grip (as Douglas Cook)
Ralph Gerling	....	camera operator
John McPherson	....	gaffer
Frank Redmond	....	camera assistant
Ellsworth Reed	....	best boy
Marcia Reed	....	still photographer
Timothy E. Wade	....	camera assistant (as Tim Wade)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Glenn Wright	....	costume supervisor

Music Department
Donald Harris	....	music editor
Jack du Long	....	music arranger (uncredited)
Jack du Long	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Daniel Franklin	....	music arranger (uncredited)
Daniel Franklin	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Joel Franklin	....	music arranger (uncredited)
Joel Franklin	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Greig McRitchie	....	music arranger (uncredited)
Greig McRitchie	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Lennie Niehaus	....	music arranger (uncredited)
Lennie Niehaus	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Art Pepper	....	musician: alto saxophone solo (uncredited)
Dan Wallin	....	score mixer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Tim Hill	....	transportation captain
Art Rimdzius	....	transportation captain

Other crew
Diana Brent	....	secretary to producer (as Dianna Brent)
Judie Garrison	....	secretary to producer
Catalina Lawrence	....	script supervisor
Fritz Manes	....	assistant to producer
Don Mink	....	auditor
Elly Mitchell	....	production secretary
James Moffett	....	first aid

Production Companies

• Warner Bros (presents) (as Warner Bros)
• Malpaso Company, The (as Malpaso Company)

Distributors

• Warner Bros (1976) (USA) (theatrical) (as Warner Bros)
• Warner-Columbia Film (1977) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Warner-Columbia Films (1977) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Warner-Columbia Filmverleih (1977) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1982) (USA) (TV)
• Warner Home Video (1987) (USA) (VHS) (pan and scan)
• Warner Home Video (1994) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Warner Home Video (1997) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2001) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution Sverige AB (2002) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD) (deluxe edition)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group (2010) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1998) (2004) (Finland) (TV)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2001) (Finland) (DVD)
• Scanvideo (1980s) (Finland) (VHS)
• TV3 (1988) (Finland) (TV)
• Warner Bros. Entertainment Finland Oy (2008) (Finland) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group (2008) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group (2009) (USA) (DVD) (4 film collection)
• Warner Home Video (2009) (Canada) (DVD) (4 film collection)
• Warner Home Video (19??) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (Sweden) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera cranes (uncredited)
• Michaelson's  catering
• Pacific Title  titles and opticals

Also Known As:

"Dirty Harry 3" - Japan (English title)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:18A | Australia:R | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 (cut) | UK:18 (video rating) (1986) (1999) | South Korea:18 | Norway:16 (1977) (cut) | Norway:15 (DVD rating) | New Zealand:PG (DVD rating) | Australia:M (TV rating) | Spain:18 | Iceland:16 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Finland:K-18 (cut) (1977) | Netherlands:12 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | USA:R (certificate #24716) | France:Unrated | Germany:16 (re-rating) (2008) | West Germany:18 (original rating) | Australia:MA (Cable TV rating) | Brazil:14 | UK:X (original rating) | New Zealand:R16 (blu-ray) | Finland:K-15 (uncut) (2008) | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1987) | Finland:K-18 (uncut) (self applied) (2001) | Italy:VM14 | UK:18 (tv rating)

Filming Locations:

1470 Pine Street, San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros

Trivia:

The writers of the original screenplay did not know how to get the script to Clint Eastwood. So they left it at The Hog's Breath Inn, Eastwood's Carmel, California restaurant.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the beginning of the film, before Harry goes into the restaurant, he drives by a lone red car parked at the corner. In the next shot, there is a white car, behind the red car, that wasn't in the first shot.

Quotes:

Kate Moore:[queasy and sweaty as autopsy surgeon is examining subject's brain]
Autopsy Surgeon:Subject brain shows no contrecoup-type damage or blood clotting.
[peering closer]
Autopsy Surgeon:Oh, Jesus H. Christ, Harry, come here and look at this! It's the damnedest thing I ever saw.
Harry Callahan:What's that?
Autopsy Surgeon:What it says: "Eat at Luigi's!"
[he starts laughing. Harry just rolls his eyes. Autopsy surgeon continues laughing, and his assistant joins in on the laughter]
Kate Moore:[gulps and rushes out of room]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Grand Theft Auto 3 (2001) (VG)

Keeps "Dirty Harry" Alive and Well

In this third chapter from the Book of Dirty Harry Callahan, there's plenty of action as Harry breaks in a new partner and goes after a ruthless bunch, some self-proclaimed revolutionaries who are nothing more than common criminals, in `The Enforcer,' directed by James Fargo, and starring Clint Eastwood and Tyne Daly. And beyond the action, it's a film that manages to make a valid statement about bureaucratic nonsense, as well as the lack of common sense employed by those ensconced in the budding agenda of `political correctness,' who put an emphasis on image over purpose and results. Mostly, though, it gives the audience a chance to share vicariously in the triumph of good over evil, as Harry once again metes out justice in his own inimitable way.

After taking charge and cleaning up a hostage situation in a way that only `Dirty Harry' can, Harry (Eastwood) is assigned to a desk job in personnel. But when his partner, Frank DiGiorgio (John Mitchum) goes down on the job during the robbery of a munitions warehouse, Harry is back on the street, but with a new partner, Kate Moore (Daly), one of the first female inspectors in the country. And Harry puts her through her paces as they attempt to track down this particularly volatile gang, who seemingly put little value on human life as they cut their swath through the city of San Francisco and pursue their own `for the people' agenda, which in reality means they want to get their hands on as much cash as possible, and plan to hold the city hostage to do it. But they had better think again; because when they took down Frank, they inadvertently provoked the ire of Inspector Callahan himself, who does not take kindly to their sort to begin with.

James Fargo is in the director's chair for this one, and he comports himself well, recapturing all of the attitudes and elements that made the first two `Dirty Harry' films so successful. Fargo sets a good pace and keeps the story on at least an equal footing with the action, which keeps this one involving. Giving Harry a female partner puts some added interest into the mix as well, in light of the fact that this film was made in an era in which women were just beginning to emerge in such positions, on the screen or otherwise. `Cagney and Lacey,' for instance, was still some five or six years away, and Kathleen Turner's `V.I. Warshawski' wouldn't make an appearance until 1991. Initially, the film takes something of a patronizing attitude toward her, but Harry treats her as an equal from the beginning, and in the end, Inspector Moore emerges as a strong character, gender aside. Most importantly, that is not the focus of the filmmakers here, and the fact that Moore is a woman is little more in the overall scheme of things than a footnote in cinematic history; Moore is just another character in the `Dirty Harry' saga, and she's a good one (especially when compared to Harry's partner, Al Quan-- played by Evan C. Kim-- in `The Dead Pool'). And credit Fargo with insuring that it all blends together naturally within the context of the story, as well as the fact that he keeps the relationship between Callahan and Moore on task, and allows it to develop quite credibly. All in all, it's a good, collaborative effort from all concerned.

What really gives this one that ring of authenticity, however, is that Clint Eastwood is in top form, and even in his third outing as Harry seems more immersed in the character than ever. And, in the final analysis, story aside, it's the `Dirty Harry' character that makes these films so popular and successful. Creating a cinematic icon is no easy task, and that's precisely what Eastwood has done with Harry; and it's gratifying to see that he is willing to give that 110% at this stage of the game, in order to maintain the credibility of the character and the films, as well. A lesser actor would have taken this kind of success to the bank by now, while possibly allowing the character to slip into caricature rather than being concerned with keeping it real and convincing. It demonstrates what a pro Eastwood is, and why he commands the kind of respect afforded him within the industry.

Taking on the role of Kate Moore had to be a challenge for Tyne Daly, and happily, she succeeds quite well with it. She makes her character convincing by allowing her to develop in a `real time' manner; she doesn't just jump in there, full blown and ready to take on hardened criminals. Initially, she displays some intimidation in Harry's presence, which gives their relationship some realism from the beginning. After all, Harry IS an intimidating guy; add to that the fact that this is a new job for Moore, which in reality would create a level of discomfort for anyone, anywhere. And Daly has tapped into all of that with her portrayal of Moore, making her a very believable character, and one of the most memorable from among the five `Dirty Harry' films.

The supporting cast includes Harry Guardino (Lt. Bressler), Bradford Dillman (Capt. McKay), DeVeren Bookwalter (Bobby Maxwell), John Crawford (The Mayor), Samantha Doane (Wanda) and Albert Popwell as `Big' Ed Mustapha (look for Popwell in the original `Dirty Harry' as the Bank Robber; in `Magnum Force' as pimp J.J. Wilson; and again in `Sudden Impact' as one of Harry's partners, Horace). A well made and entertaining film, `The Enforcer' keeps the `Dirty Harry' series alive, well and on solid ground; in retrospect, it seems a shame now that Eastwood waited seven years to make the next installment, `Sudden Impact,' as with the dreadful `The Dead Pool' in 1988, it all ended with barely a whimper. The first four, however, more than make up for it-- and that's the magic of the movies. 8/10.