35 best new Netflix movies and shows coming in February 2020
By Reed Gaudens
33. Dirty Harry
Release Year: 1971
Directed By: Don Siegel
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Andy Robinson, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni, John Vernon, John Larch, John Mitchum, Woodrow Parfey, Josef Sommer, Mae Mercer, Albert Popwell, Lyn Edgington, Ruth Kobrat, Lois Foraker, William Paterson, Debralee Scott
Release Date: Saturday, Feb. 1
If a movie’s lucky, it can transcend the controversy it causes when it’s first released and change the conversation over the years. Some movies aren’t so lucky, but Dirty Harry has managed to bounce back after its initial protests and debates, bolstered by positive reviews and an impactful legacy on neo-noir action thrillers. Also, it’s also extra thrilling to watch frequent actor-director collaborators do their thing in a famous film. Should Clint Eastwood and Don Siegel’s work be something you’re into, add Dirty Harry to your Netflix watch list this month.
Clint Eastwood stars in Dirty Harry as the title character, cop Harry Callahan, who stops at nothing to catch a rooftop killer before they take the life of a kidnapped girl. Drawing inspiration from the real-life Zodiac killer, the film follows Harry as he continues to chase the killer, leading to the ultimate chase when he hijacks a school bus. The only way for Harry to stop the killer is by doing it himself, in cold blood. Dirty Harry spawned four sequels based on the title character and the various dangerous cases he takes on as a cop willing to do whatever it takes.
Dirty Harry comes from director Don Siegel, who also helmed such films as Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Escape from Alcatraz, The Shootist and many others. Upon release, the film received criticism and sparked controversy. However, it ranked as the fourth highest-grossing film of 1971 and holds a 92% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Dirty Harry still incites conversation about its themes and legacy, but fans of the director and star will more than definitely want to check out the film when it begins streaming on Netflix at the top of February.