The current state of the world, and more or less America, leaves a lot to be desired. There is a ton of things that I think we all need, but most of all right now, we need more Dirty Harry's.
I just watched the 1971 film this weekend and I loved every minute of it. The movie was a perfect response to the liberalism of the 60's and early 70's, a fierce and relentless conservative film that pokes holes in the American system of justice.
If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and watch it. The film depicts Harry's hunt for a sociopathic murderer who calls himself Scorpio (based on the true life Zodiac murders). But unlike his fellow Officer's, Harry doesn't care about the rights of the so called Scorpio. He hunts him down tirelessly, breaking into his home illegally, assaulting him and arresting him.
In my favorite scene, and the scene which is definitely the heart of the film, Harry is informed by the Distract Attorney that his unusual police work rendered the apprehended suspect a free man. Harry keeps his cool, but makes his disgust with the laws that are keeping this psycho on the streets apparent. "There was a girl dying", he says, "Who speaks for her?".
Its pretty provocative stuff. Why should a lunatic have the same rights as the very girl he tried to murder (and actually does)? Why should the law protect him?
Which brings me to my opinion and why I think we need more Dirty Harry Callahan's. Why shouldn't Harry be allowed to break into this guys house without a warrant and apprehend him? He knew the guy was the killer regardless of the hard evidence. So who cares? Why do we have these laws that simply get in the way at putting people like this away?
The film argues a great case for why Americans are allowed the right to bear arms, cause of the silly holes in our system of justice. If we can't be protected by our own government, then we ought to be able to protect ourselves. Cheers to the 2nd Amendment.
All it does it get good bullshitters for Defense lawyers so those who don't deserve to walk free, get to do so.
Harry Callahan doesn't compromise and he doesn't apologize for his actions. There's a lack of that ferocity today. He's a man who fights for true justice at all costs. Thats leadership and thats heroism.