IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > The Dead Pool (1988)
The Dead Pool
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Dead Pool (1988) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 3)
The Dead Pool (1988) -- Dirty Harry Callahan must stop a sick secret contest to murder local celebrities, which includes himself as a target.
The Dead Pool (1988) -- Dirty Harry Callahan must stop a sick secret contest to murder local celebrities, which includes himself as a target.
The Dead Pool (1988) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.0/10   10,823 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Harry Julian Fink (characters) and
Rita M. Fink (characters) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Dead Pool on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
13 July 1988 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Dirty Harry Just Learned A New Game
Plot:
Dirty Harry Callahan must stop a sick secret contest to murder local celebrities, which includes himself as a target. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
Eastwood's last "Dirty Harry" more (84 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Clint Eastwood ... Insp. 'Dirty' Harry Callahan

Patricia Clarkson ... Samantha Walker

Liam Neeson ... Peter Swan
Evan C. Kim ... Insp. Al Quan
David Hunt ... Harlan Rook / Ed Butler
Michael Currie ... Capt. Donnelly
Michael Goodwin ... Lt. Ackerman
Darwin Gillett ... Patrick Snow
Anthony Charnota ... Lou Janero
Christopher P. Beale ... Dist. Atty. Thomas McSherry
John Allen Vick ... Lt. Ruskowski
Jeff Richmond ... Freeway Reporter #1
Patrick N. Van Horn ... Freeway Reporter #2 (as Patrick Van Horn)
Sigrid Wurschmidt ... Freeway Reporter #3

Jim Carrey ... Johnny Squares (as James Carrey)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Dirty Harry in The Dead Pool (USA) (poster title)
more
Runtime:
91 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
A modified 1/10 scale 2wd Associated RC10 off road racer with an off-the-shelf Parma International 1963 Chevrolet Corvette body was used in the famous chase scene in which "Dirty Harry" Callahan is being pursued through the streets of San Francisco, California by a highly explosive bomb disguised as an R/C car. The "bomb" was driven by world-champion race driver Jay Halsey. The car was in fact was sold with an electric motor being a competition model, which for cars in that scale was at that time only sold and permitted to enter competitions with electric motors; the internal combustion engine soundtrack were added in post-production. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: During the chase with the remote controlled car, after Callahan's car makes it's second jump over a steep hill, you can briefly see a portable film camera on a mount in the back seat of the car. more
Quotes:
Butcher Hicks: [Harry pays Hicks his box of smokes for just standing] That's it?
Harry Callahan: That's it. Oh, you see that dirtbag I was talking to down there?
[points to Janero]
Harry Callahan: He says that smoking can cause cancer, and anyone who smokes as much as you do is one dumb son-of-a-bitch!
[Hicks growls menacingly and stares daggers at Janero who shuts himself back in his cell]
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful.
Eastwood's last "Dirty Harry", 15 March 2009
7/10
Author: blanche-2 from United States

In the final Dirty Harry movie, Inspector Callahan (Clint Eastwood) is annoyed by his new-found fame, caused by his court testimony against an important mob figure. His next case is a real winner: an obnoxious British director (Liam Neeson) has a "dead pool" on the set of his new horror flick. Each crew member picks ten celebrities they believe will die, and the one with the most dead celebs on their list at the end of the game is the big winner.

Just one problem with this - the people on the director's list start dying at an alarming rate and mysteriously, including his leading man. And guess whose name is on the list as well - yeah, Harry's.

If this isn't enough, a TV reporter (Patricia Clarkson) wants to do a big story on him.

Directed by Buddy van Horn, "The Dead Pool" is a spoof of a sort, killing a movie critic as part of the story (ouch), and the story actually concerns movie-making. It also has a car chase that's a take-off on "Bullitt." The stereotypical characters found in this type of film are played by some excellent actors, and there's plenty of sexual innuendo to go around.

Someone mentioned that Eastwood seems a little old here for Dirty Harry. He seems old for just about every role he plays, frankly, but he keeps playing them. It's always amazing how men are able to do this with no problem, but give the man his due. He's a great presence, and in 1988, his best work as both a director and an actor was yet to come! Very entertaining and well-acted. If you can get the joke, you'll enjoy it all the more.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (84 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Dead Pool (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The Music Video bit babydoll-1
Car chase scene had me thinking..... chalky60
Richard Karn ? global_global
Dirty Harry 6?? Tifa_Lockhart
Movie Trivia: Jim Carrey in a Dirty Harry flick??? will7370
Another film with the RC car chase? insinyur
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Magnum Force Sudden Impact Dirty Harry The Enforcer A History of Violence
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.