Magnum Force

Magnum Force was the first of the sequels to the film Dirty Harry starring Clint Eastwood as maverick cop Harry Callahan. The film was released in 1973 and was directed by Ted Post, who also directed Clint in TV's Rawhide and the feature film Hang 'Em High. The screenplay was written by John Milius and Michael Cimino.

Related Topics:
Film - Dirty Harry - Clint Eastwood - 1973 - Ted Post - Rawhide - Hang 'Em High - John Milius - Michael Cimino

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The film was based on a real life incident involving police in Brazil. Inspector Callahan investigates a serial murder case in which all of the victims were criminals who had been released on technicalities. He eventually discovers the killers are a gang of renegade cops (in the film, the police officers are motorcycle cops) who act as a self appointed death squad and resolves to expose them and bring them down. The killers themselves are surprised to learn that the tough detective will not tolerate the coldblooded murder of the accused and so target him and his partner for death. Veteran actor Hal Holbrook co-starred as Harry's superior Lieutenant Briggs who turns out was the villain.

Related Topics:
Brazil - Death squad - Hal Holbrook

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All of the vigilante cops are seen with Colt Python revolvers - in the film, Harry is seen examining ballistics evidence to which the murder weapon was from a police officer - a plot in the film during the shooting match was Harry firing his opponent's revolver and missing the final shot (this is where he retrieves a bullet and examines it).

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One of the motorcycle cops is later revealed to be a former Special Forces operative (possibly a Vietnam veteran - the first three Dirty Harry films had references to Vietnam veterans).

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There is one dark footnote associated with the film. There is one scene where a pimp kills a prostitute by forcing a can of drain cleaner down her throat. On April 22, 1974 in Ogden, Utah there occurred one of the most horrible murder cases imaginable. Two men held up a Hi-Fi Shop and took five people hostage. They shot each one after first making them drink drain cleaner. It was later revealed that the criminals had gotten the idea from watching Magnum Force. The drain cleaner reference was repeated in two other films, Lethal Weapon (1987) and Urban Legend (1998).

Related Topics:
April 22 - 1974 - Ogden, Utah - Lethal Weapon - Urban Legend

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Features Robert Urich, David Soul, Tim Matheson, John Mitchum, Felton Perry, and a brief appearance by a topless Suzanne Somers.

Related Topics:
Robert Urich - David Soul - Tim Matheson - John Mitchum - Felton Perry - Suzanne Somers

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