Dirty Harry is a 1971 American crime thriller film directed by Don Siegel, produced by Robert Daley and written by Harry Julian Fink and R.M. Fink. The titular character, Harry Callahan, is played by renowned actor Clint Eastwood.
The film is set in San Francisco and revolves around a vicious and sadistic killer known as Scorpio, who targets and brutally murders innocent people. Harry Callahan, also known as "Dirty Harry", is a tough, no-nonsense cop who is assigned to bring Scorpio to justice.
Harry is a widower and a veteran police detective who is known for his unorthodox methods of law enforcement. He frequently clashes with his superiors, who disapprove of his tactics, but he remains steadfast in his belief that the ends justify the means.
As Harry races against the clock to catch Scorpio before he kills again, he finds himself in a cat-and-mouse game with the deranged killer. Scorpio begins targeting Harry personally, setting off a series of events that pushes the detective to his limits.
Eventually, Harry captures Scorpio, but due to legal technicalities, the killer is released. This sends Harry over the edge and he decides to take matters into his own hands.
The film is a gritty portrayal of crime and justice in the United States and has been hailed as a classic of the genre. It spawned four sequels, all of which starred Eastwood as Harry Callahan. The film also popularized the famous catchphrase "Make my day".