Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 16+
'70s rebel-cop classic is way too edgy for kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that while this classic police thriller inspired a video game and numerous other PG-13 Hollywood cop-opera shoot-em-ups, it was intended as a very adult film, with frank swearing and occasional full-frontal nudity -- often in the context of a decadent community crawling with degeneracy and lawlessness. Violence includes bloody shootings, stabbings, and even schoolchildren threatened. For all the action, the movie doesn't exactly make police work appealing as a career path (especially the bitter last scene).
- Families can talk about a theme in the film, that the law -- in the post-1960s, post "civil rights" era -- protects lawbreakers, not victims, and that a dedicated policeman like Harry can't even do his job. Do you agree?
- Is this movie still relevant? Do teens feel that modern police officers face similar challenges?
The good stuff
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Positive messages: Strong message of the sacrifices made by police, how underappreciated police are, and how thankless their tough jobs have become.
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Positive role models: Generally negative view of society. Though "Dirty" Harry is supposed to be a scowling antihero, everything he does aims to protect the public (who don't appreciate it), saving lives and upholding the law. Harry disparages his new nice-guy (Hispanic) partner for having graduated from college. Ethnically diverse characters include good guys, bad guys, and victims, but only males seem to have major roles. "Negroes" (as the script says) seem particularly threatening. Harry is said to be an equal-opportunity hater of all races.
What to watch for
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Violence: Bloody gun violence, sniper fatalities, hand-to-hand punchouts. A car wreck. Harry and other characters savagely beaten and kicked. A leg stabbing. An old man hit with a bottle. A character threatens suicide by jumping (with graphic verbal description of what the result would be).
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Sex: Full-frontal female nudity with a girl victim's naked corpse and a naked lady apparently welcoming people to a sex party. Nude go-go dancers and strippers in a bar. Harry discusses a past incident involving a would-be rapist with an erection. Bare breasts when Harry interrupts a romantic interlude. A patrol past a block of San Francisco strip shows and sex parlors. Harry gets a coy proposition from a young homosexual.
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Language: The f-word once. The s-word, SOB, the N-word, "bastard," "Jesus Christ," a-hole.
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Consumerism: Touristy element in the prominent display of San Francisco landmarks. A Coca Cola sign.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Harry and a comrade share "booze." A visit to a bar. A liquor store purchase-robbery.