PRINT

The “Dirty Harry Ultimate Collector’s Edition” Box Set On DVD And Blu-ray Hi-Def

(March 10, 2008 – Burbank, CA) – Warner Home Video (WHV) will pay homage to Clint Eastwood and the films that gave birth to the modern action hero when the Dirty Harry film franchise returns to DVD and Blu-ray™ Hi-Def on June 3 after an 18-month absence. The “Dirty Harry Ultimate Collector’s Edition” - an assemblage of all five Dirty Harry films, plus hours of all-new enhanced content, unique memorabilia, a film-inspired map of San Francisco and more - will re-introduce Dirty Harry to new generations of fans around the world. Dirty Harry, the renegade Harry Callahan armed with his ubiquitous .44 Magnum and famous lines that changed the American lexicon forever, will be released as a “Dirty Harry Special Edition” (the only film in the collector’s set available separately to consumers in Blu-ray ™ Hi-Def format), “Magnum Force Deluxe Edition,” “The Enforcer Deluxe Edition,” “Sudden Impact Deluxe Edition” and “The Dead Pool Deluxe Edition” will also be released separately in standard definition. Orders are due by April 29. “Clint Eastwood and Dirty Harry have made our day for 37 years,” said Jeffrey Baker, SVP/GM Theatrical Catalog and Domestic Sales. “What better way to celebrate Warner Brothers’ 85th anniversary than by re-releasing this iconic film franchise. Clint and the Harry Callahan anti-hero character he created are indelibly etched into the consciousness of movie-goers everywhere. His five Dirty Harry films look as fresh and contemporary today as ever. And now, thanks to their timeless staying power and new digitally re-mastered DVD formats, they will continue to resonate with old fans and new generations for years to come.” The landmark film “Dirty Harry” not only had an impact on society but also revolutionized cinematic crime drama for all time. AFI (American Film Institute) voted Dirty Harry the 17th greatest movie hero ever in AFI’s 100 Years…100 Heroes & Villains. Clint Eastwood redefined the genre of police films as well as a number of his later roles with his iconic portrayal of the straight-talking, cynical, unorthodox detective who found himself in perpetual trouble with his incompetent superiors. Harry did not operate within the frame of the law, his interest was justice. He hated bureaucracy and was deeply interested in the rights of the victim. Eastwood established the modern-day action hero and is credited with influencing and motivating a number of contemporary actors in the action/adventure genre. At the time of its release, “Dirty Harry” caused great controversy, sparking debate over issues ranging from police brutality to victims’ rights and the nature of law enforcement. “Dirty Harry,” the film, set the tone for a number of subsequent police movies, in which the police officer is shown to care more about justice and the victim than in the rules of the establishment. The film also elevated Harry Callahan’s sidearm of choice, the Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum, to mythical status, making it an icon of the series and a prized collectible among enthusiasts. With gun in hand, Eastwood immortalized two phrases which have made their way into the modern pop culture lexicon including, “Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?” and “Go ahead, make my day.” “Dirty Harry Two-Disc Special Edition”
(2-disc DVD and Single Disc Blu-ray ™ Hi-Def format) Set in San Francisco in 1971, “Dirty Harry” is the gritty and suspenseful film that follows the story of Inspector Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood), who earns the moniker ‘Dirty Harry’ for his reputation of handling the dirtiest homicidal cases. The City by the Bay faces the terror of a serial killer known as Scorpio (Andrew Robinson), who viciously snipes at innocent victims and demands ransom through notes left at the scene of the crime. Callahan is assigned to the case along with his newest partner, Inspector Chico Gonzalez (Reni Santoni) to track down Scorpio and stop him. Using humiliation along with cat and mouse type games against Callahan, Scorpio is put to the test by the cop with the very dirty attitude. Special Features • New Commentary by Richard Schickel -- Filmmaker and Eastwood biographer Schickel examines the landmark film that revolutionized cinematic crime drama for all time.
• New Featurette “The Long Shadow of Dirty Harry” -- An examination of the influence and legacy of Dirty Harry.
• Featurette “Dirty Harry: The Original” -- Clint Eastwood and the film’s creators look back at the birth of the modern action hero: Dirty Harry.
• Featurette “Dirty Harry’s Way” -- A promotional short on the movie “Dirty Harry” focusing on the toughness of the movies’ main characters.
• Interview Gallery -- Includes interviews with Patricia Clarkson, Joel Cox, Clint Eastwood, Hal Holbrook, Evan Kim, John Milius, Ted Post, Andy Robinson, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Robert Urich.
• 1993 TV Special “Clint Eastwood: The Man from Malpaso” -- A look at the life and career of actor/director Clint Eastwood, including scenes from his past film and television work and interviews with friends, fellow actors and crew members who have worked with him over the years.
• Trailer Gallery – “Dirty Harry,” “Magnum Force,” “The Enforcer,” “Sudden Impact” and “The Dead Pool” “Magnum Force Deluxe Edition” “Magnum Force,” which was released in 1973 as a sequel to “Dirty Harry” has Eastwood reprise his famous role as Inspector Callahan, which has him face crooked cops and a traitorous boss as well as suffering re-assignment from homicide to stakeout duty after his handling of the Scorpio case. Callahan and his new partner, Earlington “Early” Smith (Felton Perry), are called off a case in which a man acquitted of murder is found dead along with his chauffer, lawyer and bodyguard. Soon after, a mafia figure, and several of his family and friends are also gunned down. Then, a well-known pimp is murdered too. Callahan and ‘Early’ are soon re-assigned to investigate the homicides. Special Features • New Commentary by writer John Milius -- In this gritty, entertaining commentary, legendary Hollywood screenwriter Milius discusses Eastwood, the world of Dirty Harry and the rugged resilience of crime drama in American cinema.
• New Featurette “A Moral Right: The Politics of Dirty Harry” -- Filmmakers, social scientists and authors take a provocative look at the moral, political and ethical themes of the Dirty Harry films.
• “The Hero Cop: Yesterday and Today”
• Trailer Gallery “The Enforcer Deluxe Edition” Released in 1976, “The Enforcer” marks the third installment in the Dirty Harry franchise. The film’s plot has Inspector Callahan (Eastwood) paired with a new partner, policewoman, Inspector Kate Moore (Tyne Daly), as they hunt for a group of terrorists that are blackmailing the city of San Francisco for two million dollars. Callahan, none-too-pleased by being teamed up with a woman, must put his job first and the two attempt to shut down the terrorists. Moore, however, proves herself after she and Callahan pursue the terrorists to their hideout in the prison of Alcatraz. Special Features • New Commentary by director James Fargo. Director Fargo takes an entertaining look at the film that launched his career as a director, including the day Clint Eastwood nonchalantly let him know he had the job.
• New Featurette “The Business End: Violence in Cinema” - An unflinching look at the ongoing debate on violence in cinema.
• Featurette “Harry Callahan/Clint Eastwood: Something Special in Films”
• Trailer Gallery “Sudden Impact Deluxe Edition” “Sudden Impact” is Eastwood’s fourth Dirty Harry film. Released in 1983, follows Inspector Callahan (Eastwood) as he’s shipped to San Paulo, a small town down the coast to investigate a murder. The killer is Jennifer Spencer (Sondra Locke) who out for revenge is murdering all the rapists that gang-raped her and her little sister 10 years ago. During his investigations, Callahan becomes entangled in Jennifer’s own troubles - all the while never suspecting that she’s the killer. Special Features • New Commentary by renowned film critic Richard Schickel -- Author and longtime Eastwood associate Schickel uncovers layers of meaning in this, the only Dirty Harry film directed by Eastwood himself .
• New Featurette “The Evolution of Clint Eastwood” -- An examination of the film in the context of Eastwood’s broader career as a director.
• Trailer Gallery “The Dead Pool Deluxe Edition” The final film in the collection is “The Dead Pool,” which was originally released in 1988. “The Dead Pool” finds Inspector Callahan (Eastwood) investigating an unusual betting game played by a film director and his crew, which has the players create a list of 10 celebrities they think will die. The winner is the one with the highest number of dead celebrities. Soon, however, people on the list begin to die under mysterious circumstances. Callahan is assigned to the case and discovers his name has made the list. Special Features • New Commentary by producer David Valdes and Cinematographer Jack N. Green, who discuss the challenging and rewarding experience making this the final chapter in the Dirty Harry series.
• New Featurette “The Craft of Dirty Harry” -- A look at the cinematographers, editors, musicians, production designers and other talent of the Dirty Harry series.
• Trailer Gallery “Dirty Harry Ultimate Collector’s Edition”
(7-disc DVD and 5-disc Blu-ray ™ Hi-Def format) Includes all five Dirty Harry films; all special features on the “Dirty Harry Special Edition” and “Deluxe Editions,” plus additional special features and contents specific to the “Ultimate Collector’s Edition.” “UCE” Special Features and Contents • Bonus Feature-Length documentary “Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows”
• 40+ page hardcover book
• Wallet w/metal badge and removable laminated I.D. card
• Five 5”x 7” Reproduction Lobby Poster Cards plus an exclusive UCE card
• Scorpio Portrait of a Killer Poster-Sized (19” x 27”) map of San Francisco detailing Harry’s hunt for the killer
• Never-Before-Seen Production Correspondence WHV also offers consumers several other Clint Eastwood films, available in triple feature sets and retailing at $19.97 each. They include “Firefox” / “Gauntlet” / “Rookie” and “Every Which Way But Loose” / “Any Which Way You Can” / “Honkytonk Man.” The Credits With operations in 90 international territories Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.
# # #