Review of Sudden Impact (1983) by Tom R — 26 Dec 2011

A viscerally effective, fast paced fourth installment to the long running and highly successful "Dirty Harry" franchise which is superbly directed by Clint Eastwood. This time the authority defying San Francisco homicide-detective, inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan is temporarily resigned by his superiors because of his involvement in the death of a local crime boss, he is sent to a small oceanside town to do research on a series of especially nasty killings where the male victims are shot in the genitals and the forehead, it seems that a young artist who Harry will soon meet named Jennifer Spencer, played brilliantly by Sondra Locke in hauntingly compelling performance who along with her younger sister was savagely gang raped some 10 years ago by a group of sadistic low-life thugs and one vicious lesbian, the result left her sister permanently catatonic and herself with deep emotional issues, Spencer has returned to the town taking out murderous revenge on all of the vermin, one at a time.

Eastwood delivers his usual forceful star performance which is exquisite, solid supporting performances by Pat Hingle, Bradford Dillman, Paul Drake, Audie J. Neenan, Jack Thibeau, Kevin Major Howard and Albert Popwell.

Harry's catchphrase in this film "Go ahead, make my day," was said by him while pointing his massive .44 Magnum pistol at the face of a wounded robber holding a waitress hostage, that catchphrase was so popular that even than President Ronald Reagan use it in one of his speeches.

An smart, gripping and immensely entertaining motion picture, which was the finest sequel of the series. Highly Recommended.