The Enforcer-1976

Director James Fargo

Starring Clint Eastwood, Tyne Daly, John Mitchum

Scott’s Review #1,330

Reviewed January 2, 2023

Grade: B+

The Dirty Harry film series is pure, gooey 1970s machismo entertainment.

Featuring a vigilante-type police detective who rids the world of the bad guys is pleasure personified, if not all that realistic. In these films, there is only good versus evil, and social issues, if explored, are not the most relevant part of the film, but rather provide more context for why the events occur.

Nonetheless, the films are top-notch in action, with quality gunfights and violence, creating a powerful crime thriller franchise that still holds up well.

They are much better than the similar yet uninspired and poorly acted Death Wish films featuring Charles Bronson.

The Enforcer (1976) is a third of five films from 1971 until 1988, following the 1971 masterpiece Dirty Harry and the nearly as good Magnum Force in 1973.

This one offers a slightly progressive, feminist approach that continues into 1983’s Sudden Impact and adds much-needed humor, creating a lighter touch.

Feminism is the inclusion of a female cop due to a new affirmative action initiative, who goes toe to toe with the masculinity and conservatism of our main character.

Officer “Dirty Harry” Callahan (Clint Eastwood) is reassigned from homicide to personnel after his latest use of excessive force exhausts his outranking superiors. Demoralized, he angrily assumes his duties while a new case disrupts the San Francisco Bay Area.

A new terrorist group, calling itself the People’s Revolutionary Strike Force, organizes a series of crimes in San Francisco, hoping to enrich themselves. Led by Bobby Maxwell (DeVeren Bookwalter), they wreak havoc and create fear.

When they kidnap the mayor (John Crawford) and steal rockets and rifles for their next attack, Harry and his new female partner, Inspector Kate Moore (Tyne Daly), must stop the terrorists.

To measure up to 1971’s Dirty Harry is a nearly impossible feat, but The Enforcer continues the rhythm with largely the same basic script. A main part of the fun is watching the grizzled Callahan feud with his superiors and being reduced to working with a female cop.

Naturally, he and Moore eventually become buddies, and I like the lack of sexual chemistry between them. She’s not interested in his affection, and neither is he, so their relationship is focused on serving and protecting the public.

Daly is terrific as Moore, which led to her career-defining role in the television series Cagney and Lacey. Rather than playing her as a bitch she is warm and determined to immerse herself in a man’s world.

She’s a great character, but unfortunately, she is not explored as much as she could have been.

The filmmakers also keep San Francisco’s setting intact, which is a wise move and a treat for moviegoers who love a good exterior sequence or two.

A fabulous final sequence finds the film’s events heading to a Giants game at the historic Candlestick Park, and finally a showdown at Alcatraz Island. These trimmings are essential for fans anticipating the juicy, pulsating locales of the populous city.

No, Eastwood is not the greatest actor in the film, but he is the best at playing Callahan. He carries the film seamlessly and will make conservatives smirk as he endures the irritations of liberal-minded decision-makers.

A weak explanation of the real motives of the terrorist group is unimportant. It’s the violence, the thrills, the chases, and Eastwood and Daly that make this movie pure fun.

The Enforcer (1976) doesn’t challenge or add to the creativity of cinema but offers a shoot-em-up experience with a confident, charismatic protagonist.

Forever immersed in the good tidings of 1970s cinema is enough to continue the successful string of Dirty Harry films.