THE ENFORCER
US, 1976, 96 minutes, Colour.
Clint Eastwood, Harry Guardino, Bradford Dillman, John Mitchum, Tyne Daly.
Directed by James Fargo.
The Enforcer is a typical complex 'Dirty Harry' drama - violence galore on the streets of San Francisco (and the city's environment is much used integrally with action). Again the loner hero solves problems directly without the aid or backing of pompous officials or opportunist politicians. What is new is that the he-man Clint Eastwood character starts by opposing policewomen in the Homicide Squad, gains a feminine partner and learns to respect her as police and as a woman. Quite an emphasis on women's role and satisfyingly acted by a vigorous Tyne Daly. There is alarming ugliness in this immoral and lawless world, where the police must (and we, fear to) tread.
1. The mystique of 'Dirty Harry', this film as the third in a series? Its qualities, reliance on the original, standing on its own feet? The mystique of Clint Eastwood and his style?
2. The background of so many police films of the early 70s, television series: the emphasis on the streets of San Francisco, the violence in American cities, the heroics of the police, the critique of their methods and violence? The background of political overtones and their relationship with the police, violence? The move from rightist attitudes in the early 70s towards centre? How is this reflected in this film?
3. The difference between this kind of film and part of a television series? The aspects of use of Panavision, colour, locations? The importance of
,location photography, the atmosphere of San Francisco and the feel for its buildings and streets, from the opening, through the chases, to Alcatraz? Did this make the film seem authentic?
4. How credible were the characters, the situations? Does violence of this kind occur in American cities? The nature of police work, police dedication, police dangers? The world of deals and compromises, of obtuse authority figures, of showmanship on the political level? The film's judgement on these aspects of American life?
5. The impact of the opening, the atmosphere of San Francisco, the hitch-hiker and the immediate deaths, this giving a context and framework for the whole film, its being recapitulated at the end? Audience antipathy for this kind of psychotic killer?
6. The character of Harry Callahan in this film? As a man, as a policeman, his inability to explain his motivation, his work in the Homicide Department, the toughness that this requires? His relationship with his partners? His attitude towards murders, brutality, death? The death of his partner and his being present at the end? His relationship with authority figures, especially Mackay? How human was Harry Callahan? His talent and abilities? The importance of the initial sequence of his rescuing the hostages in the store, the bluntness of his driving the car into the shop etc.?
7. The impact of the partner's death? The visualizing of this in his attempt to stop the raid on the firearms? Harry's relationship with his other associates in the police force? The constant conflicts with Mackay? (The irony of Mackay's arriving by helicopter at the end when everything was finished? The vindication of Harry?)
8. The importance of the women's angle in this film: Harry's attitude towards police work as a man and as man's work? His being transferred to Personnel and conducting the tests, his attitude towards Kate Moore when she arrived for the tests, his questions, his comments and jokes at the expense of the lady examiner? His acceptance of Kate Moore as his assistant, their working together, her seeing the bomber, her helping him on Alcatraz, rescuing the mayor, dying for Harry? The strength of character in Kate Moore? Her attitude towards her job, towards her role in the police force and Homicide, her standing her ground with Harry? Even in the autopsy section? The importance of their talking together, communication, Harry's respect for her? How was she presented in a balanced way as a capable policewoman?
9. The melodrama about the plot about the arms, the -raiding of the store, the numerous deaths, the explosion, the various messages on television, the capture of the mayor and the death of the man at the bridge, the defence on Alcatraz? Was there any sympathy towards the members of this gang? Their behaviour, relationship with one another, deaths?
10. The complication with Mustapha and Black Militants? The deals done with Mustapha? Their being arrested by Mackay, the irony of the mayor giving the awards?
11. The importance of San Francisco as an environment for this violence: the police headquarters, the black areas, the long chase across the roofs and this atmosphere of San Francisco, jumping into the room where the pornographic film was being made, the later visits to the massage parlour, the church?
12. The significance of the sequences with the mayor, his officious assistant, putting on a good show, the atmosphere of elections, the TV interviews and the celebration of the letters of commendation? The mayor's behaviour at the base-ball match? The atmosphere of the kidnapping, the imprisonment in Alcatraz, the rescue?
13. The build-up towards the climax, the sequence in the church, the death of Wanda, going to Alcatraz and the siege there?
14. How entertaining is this kind of film? Is it too violent? Does it reflect the reality of life in America? Its comment on the necessity of police work.. the distastefulness of their work and its dangers. the relationship with politics and public opinion?
