Part 6/9:
Dirty Harry has been embroiled in debate regarding its political message and depictions of race. Various critics, including Pauline Kael and Roger Ebert, highlighted the film's potentially fascist narrative, a reading that sought to contextualize the violent vigilantism of Callahan within the turbulent socio-political climate of the late 60s and early 70s. The film not only provided a voice to discontent but also presented a reflection on the complexities surrounding racial identities amid the era’s upheaval.