The Enforcer
In the third Harry Callahan film, a domestic terrorist group called the People’s Revolutionary Strike Force – hold San Francisco hostage, threatening to blow it up unless a ransom is paid. Harry, along with his newest partner, the inexperienced Kate Moore, team up to stop them.
Direction
Debut direction from James Fargo, who would go on to direct several other projects over his career.
There were some real ups in his direction, including some impressive action and violence moments, and camera work such as the shadows during the autopsy scene.
There were also some silly camera shots like the close up of a villains eyes after he makes a kill. There is also some very unrealistic ‘aftermath’ of violence later in the film too which considering what came before it, was disappointing.
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
This is the most ‘comedic’ of the films to date, with Harry’s gruff interior slightly downplayed at times. He even cracks a few jokes at times – like when he comments on his ‘favourite jacket’ when being told to get on the floor by a couple of villains early in the film.
I actually preferred the interspliced action to the main story at times, (such as the tan suit bombing, and chase sequence) and the final showdown felt rushed to get it over and done with – really only taking the last 10 minutes of screen-time.
It also has the usual cliche of ‘those in charge’ won’t listen to the protagonist when he tries to warn them – which has been done to death.
Harry gets two partners here, Frank (John Mitchum, back for his third and final outing) and Kate Moore (a pre Cagney and Lacey Tyne Daley). Having mentioned how progressive I found one of the earlier films, this one does a 180 and treats her Inspector very poorly. The attitude of women here is quite noticeable, and ends poorly for her character.
Overall
Even being the poorest of the Harry Callahan films so far, it is still an enjoyable watch. I loved the ‘jazz score’ during the tan suit chase sequence.
The lack of progressive thinking is clearly a product of the time (1976), and some truly on the nose performances during ‘crucial characters’ deaths scenes, take away slightly from what the film was trying to achieve.
Still a recommend.
3.5/5
If you’re able to, please “buy me a coffee”