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Dirty Harry
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
Like my review of the recent DVD edition of "Jaws", I'll say it again here. This is certainly a film that needs no introduction, with Clint Eastwood in one of his very best roles as "Dirty" Harry Callahan, a member of the San Fransisco PD who has little regard for the usual rules of the law.
But certainly, he always gets the job done. In this film, he has to track down a killer who is on the loose in San Fransisco. The film has some pretty stereotypical elements in the middle of it such as the captain, but the amount of tension and suspense the film is able to generate makes it certainly always exciting.
Eastwood is perfect in the role and certainly, it's a classic character in modern cinema.
The DVD
VIDEO: "Dirty Harry" gets an anamorphic widescreen transfer here. While not perfect, it does look pretty solid throughout. The film could use some restoration, as there are some problems with the print. This is not a consistent flaw, but when scratches and marks appear, they are noticeable and slightly distracting. Some scenes also appear mildly grainy.
Sharpness is generally passable; most scenes are clear and crisp, but definitely not razor sharp. Most night scenes look fine; some of the dimly lit sequences look a little hazy, but not bad. Clarity is adequate, and detail is fairly good, but not remarkable in any way.
Colors are pretty solid - there are quite a few scenes where the film goes with a more subtle approach to colors, but there are some sequences in the city with bright colors that look pleasing. Pixelation appears at times, but it's not a major problem.
Again, this isn't too bad, but "Dirty Harry" could use a fresh new look.
SOUND: The remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is a pretty entertaining performance. Surround use is pretty limited, and basically offers some subtle sounds. The front speakers though, do get a suprisingly good, if not terribly powerful workout.
Both the gunfire and the score sound pretty punchy for a film that's getting up there in age, although the funky score does sound a bit dated. This isn't anything agressive, but it does provide a bigger soundstage for the limited original soundtrack.
MENUS:: Pretty bland, pretty basic menus. Would have been nice if the film's score played in the background.
EXTRAS: Cast and crew bios, production notes, trailer. The film deserves much more.
Final Thoughts: The film deserves much more than the trailer - the picture quality is watchable, but could stand to be improved - see fellow "Eastwood Collection" release Kelly's Heroes for a film that was released around the same time that looks better. Sound isn't bad, though. Hopefully will return as a future special edition.
Like my review of the recent DVD edition of "Jaws", I'll say it again here. This is certainly a film that needs no introduction, with Clint Eastwood in one of his very best roles as "Dirty" Harry Callahan, a member of the San Fransisco PD who has little regard for the usual rules of the law.
But certainly, he always gets the job done. In this film, he has to track down a killer who is on the loose in San Fransisco. The film has some pretty stereotypical elements in the middle of it such as the captain, but the amount of tension and suspense the film is able to generate makes it certainly always exciting.
Eastwood is perfect in the role and certainly, it's a classic character in modern cinema.
The DVD
VIDEO: "Dirty Harry" gets an anamorphic widescreen transfer here. While not perfect, it does look pretty solid throughout. The film could use some restoration, as there are some problems with the print. This is not a consistent flaw, but when scratches and marks appear, they are noticeable and slightly distracting. Some scenes also appear mildly grainy.
Sharpness is generally passable; most scenes are clear and crisp, but definitely not razor sharp. Most night scenes look fine; some of the dimly lit sequences look a little hazy, but not bad. Clarity is adequate, and detail is fairly good, but not remarkable in any way.
Colors are pretty solid - there are quite a few scenes where the film goes with a more subtle approach to colors, but there are some sequences in the city with bright colors that look pleasing. Pixelation appears at times, but it's not a major problem.
Again, this isn't too bad, but "Dirty Harry" could use a fresh new look.
SOUND: The remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is a pretty entertaining performance. Surround use is pretty limited, and basically offers some subtle sounds. The front speakers though, do get a suprisingly good, if not terribly powerful workout.
Both the gunfire and the score sound pretty punchy for a film that's getting up there in age, although the funky score does sound a bit dated. This isn't anything agressive, but it does provide a bigger soundstage for the limited original soundtrack.
MENUS:: Pretty bland, pretty basic menus. Would have been nice if the film's score played in the background.
EXTRAS: Cast and crew bios, production notes, trailer. The film deserves much more.
Final Thoughts: The film deserves much more than the trailer - the picture quality is watchable, but could stand to be improved - see fellow "Eastwood Collection" release Kelly's Heroes for a film that was released around the same time that looks better. Sound isn't bad, though. Hopefully will return as a future special edition.
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