Dirty Harry (1971)

Clint Eastwood made the transition from star to icon when he pointed a .44 Magnum at a bank robber and said, “You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?” The role of Harry Callahan, a steely eyed San Francisco police detective on the trail of a serial killer (Andy Robinson), fit him like a glove, even though it had originally been written for an older actor and scheduled with Frank Sinatra. When Sinatra dropped out, the script was rejected by several other actors until Paul Newman, who felt it was too right wing for him, suggested Eastwood. Eastwood, in turn, insisted that his friend Don Siegel direct. It was the fourth of the five films in which Siegel directed Eastwood.

d. Don Siegel, 103m, DCP