CONTENTS
Is that a .44 magnum in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?
The subject of male sexual and social identity can be approached from a
variety of directions. Looking at the portrayal of men in movies can
provide one of the most valuable insights into our ideals of the male.
The character Dirty Harry, portrayed by Clint Eastwood, is one of the
key male archetypes in modern cinema history. The following analysis of
his character in this movie attempts to draw some lessons about the
concept of masculinity.
Clint Eastwood has played very similar roles throughout most of his career. Like many actors, Clint has in a sense become the true subject while individual movies represent manifestations of his personality in action. However the movie Dirty Harry (in which he plays the policeman Lieutenant Callahan) is perhaps his most famous and is also one of the most potent representations of masculinity in movie history. The character that Clint plays in this movie is an important symbol of masculinity and anything we can glean from it can give insights to general cultural ideals of male behaviour. Many people would describe the role as a macho representation, but this is far too simplistic.
The Dirty Harry movie (made in 1971) is in some respects not exceptional in the hundreds of movies that are made every year. It is not based on a particularly memorable plot, yet several parts of the movies contain dialogue and scenarios that virtually every person in western culture is familiar with.
Toward the beginning of the movie Lieutenant Callahan is revealed to be somewhat of an unorthodox police officer, with the implication that he doesn't play by the rules. There is a scene in which Callahan is ostensibly off-duty, eating a lousy lunch and obviously bitter about his lot in life, which is implied by the type of food he eats. While he is eating he becomes witness to a robbery that is in progress across the street. Though he appears to act very casually, finishing his food slowly, he is actually calculating the moment to intervene. Stepping out of the cafe, he engages in a gunfight with the thief. He disables him, without killing him, although the criminal is left lying on the footpath a short distance from his gun. The criminal still thinks about making a last attempt at reprisal by reaching for his weapon. Callahan approaches and tells him of the likelihood that he will die as a consequence of the effort. He actually tells the gunman that there is no certainty as to how many bullets are left in his own weapon. And so the memorable line: "Feeling lucky punk."
While the scenario can be taken at face value as an act of bravado it has a far deeper meaning. Dirty Harry (Callahan) is represented as being firstly ever vigilent, from the moment where he is eating his lunch. He is shown to be aware and ready to combat crime at any moment, or essentially to do his job. Even the meal he was eating has a role, because it represents his minimal and humble personal life, in contrast to his noble and heroic actions. He walks out of the cafe at his leisure to do the duty he is compelled to do.
In the face of the dangers of death he remains cool. This suggests not just a blind fearlessness. It suggests self control and the ability to manage crisis situations. It is worthwhile comparing this to one archetype of female behaviour, which would be helplessness and panic, although in practice clearly most males would panic and cower in such a situation.
In the final crucial scene where he has defeated his enemy Dirty Harry stands over his opponent in a final psychological showdown. His apparent triumph contains one final moment of ambiguity - a bluff. He knows his gun is empty. He is at that point at his most vulnerable. However through mental control, and a kind of rationalising with his opponent he rescues himself from danger and triumphs.
Few people would recognise this scenario as representing a moment of vulnerability because of the authoritative and imposing way in which he bluffs his own defencelessness. It looks like sheer confidence and normality. This is arguably another symbol of ideal masculinity. Perhaps he experienced fear, but this was not shown, because to have shown fear would have probably caused his own defeat.
It is arguable that many males have been influenced both directly and indirectly by Clint's model of behaviour. Certainly we often see males who behave in a similarly "coolistic" manner.
The violent scenarios in movies may seem like pure fantasy to people living ordinary lives but this is to miss the important central role of the personalities involved in movies. The action, mayhem and violence in movies appears to be the main interest and subject of many movies. However in fact the main interest is often subliminally the lead character and his or her moral and emotional capacities. Clint Eastwood represents a role model for other males to emulate. They don't emulate in violent scenarios necessarily, but instead in everyday situations, such as at the office or in a bar, or while driving a car. However in the absence of better comprehension and maturity there is always the danger that males mimic the superficial aspects of the character without understanding the complexities that it involves.
It is also arguable that the totality of the collective male personality is influenced by the limitations that the Dirty Harry character implicitly represents. The unemotional, rational bravado of the male, with few words, but decisive action does not include a representation of an emotional dimension. The very coolness of Dirty Harry does not include a flipside of covert anger, lack of control, despair and negotiation. (These are archetypal realms of the female.) Perhaps this feature of the male role is one element of why males sometimes suddenly lose much of their credibility and sense of self worth in the company of women, in personal relationships. When men are forced to confront emotional issues, negotiations and complexities that require "female thinking skills" they turn from being the hero to the helpless knocked down criminal. When it comes to women men are often confronted by the scenario, no more bullets.
Clint Eastwood e-cards
RealGreetingCards have a Clint Eastwood page, so you can send a Clint Card.
The Dirty Harry Tour of San Francisco
Visit all the San Francisco film locations in the 1971 Clint Eastwood
film, Dirty Harry. Also includes the Monterey County locations from Play
Misty For Me, and the Santa Cruz sites in Sudden Impact.
Complete Clint Eastwood Homepage
Pictures of Clint, sounds from 24 of Clint's
movies, detailed biography, Rawhide, Harry Callahan, detailed movie
list, virtual tours of Clint's restaurant and ranch and a trivia
challenge.
http://www.cadvision.com/eastwood/
http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/03924.html
