The document summarizes key elements of the 1971 film Dirty Harry. It analyzes the film's cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing, setting in San Francisco, and use of narrative techniques. Specifically, it discusses how editing creates continuity, how shots frame the dead body and Clint Eastwood's character, and how the opening establishes a sense of place and draws viewers in with narrative mysteries around the murder.

1. For my media portfolio I analysed
the film Dirty Harry
Dirty Harry was realised in 1971
December the 23rd. It is a film directed
by Don Siegel and Warner Bros is the
institution.

2. Cinematography, Mise en scene and
editing
Editing
As the film starts we are introduced to a fade. at first shows a shot
of a police badge then fades to a man with a sniper, this is a contrast
and automatically signifies that the genre of the film is a crime
thriller.
In the film we then see an example of a zoom out shot and then in the same shot we are
shown an over the shoulder shot, this makes the audience feel as if they are in the film
spying on the girl
whilst standing next to the killer. This also creates a establish shot that shows the setting of
the city the film is set in creating a wider and wider frame as the zoom retreats further and
further.
This is an example of a match on action, the director
uses this to create a impression of a sense of
Continuity the action carrying though creates a
visual bridge.

3. Mise en scene
This is the post mortem of the killing. Don Siegel positions the
dead body where the rule of thirds are applied causing the
audience to pay attention to the body. The woman in pink
is in a state of shock as her facial expressions show and her hand
gestures also indicate that she is in a state of trauma.
In this shot Clint eastwood (the protagonist) is walking in the alive
Streets and the people around him are yet to know what has just
happened above them this shows the audience that Clint eastwood is
And the police force are secretive and also professional.
In this photo Don Siegel chooses to emphasize the scene by only
including Clint Eastwood and a antenna where the killer left a note
This is to draw attention to the main point of the scene. Don Siegel
also applies the rule of third to draw attention to the point of interest.

4. Cinematography and setting
Don Siegel uses a panning shot to expose the setting of San Francisco whilst following
Clint Eastwood this shows that Clint Eastwood is patrolling the perimeter of the roof. He is also
a detective so it gives the audience the feeling that he is there to protect the population of
san Francisco.
The two photos at the bottom show the view and scenery of San Francisco this shows the
audience where the films set. These two photos also show the points of interest in the opening
of the film which are the building where the killer was with the sniper and the swimming pool
there girl was murdered. Don Siegel uses a high angle shot on the swimming pool and a low
angle shot of the building to make the audience more aware of the point of interest.

5. Narrative
In Dirty Harry we see many examples of barthes theory, enigma code, the
photo on the left brings up the question why was the girl murdered?
And the photo on the right brings up the question, who is he?. These
questions keep the audience glued to there seats because they are
anticipating the questions to be answered. Don Siegel executed this
perfectly because he situated the enigma code as the first shoot the
audience could see, this sets a good impression therefore creating more
of a chance for the audience to stay seated.
The film opening also uses Levi Strauss theory
of binary opposition, in this case its cop vs killer
this is an example of a genre signifier, signifying
it’s a crime movie. Noticing the genre in the
opening is important if you want the audience to
Stay seated because there is lesser of a chance
they would get confused. In the photos on the
Left I made it look as if the killer was pointing the
Sniper at the protagonist to show it’s a crime/cop
Film.

6. Exposition of character
From these two shots the protagonist is represented as being cool
And collected, in the first shot we can see him chewing gum this
indicates that he is confident and focused, it also indicates that the
Protagonist is serious and means business. We also notice that he
is serious because his attire, he is wearing a grey suit this shows
that he is not playing around. Another reason that indicates he is
Cool because he is wearing cool sunglasses that are popular in
detective films. In the shot on the bottom left the protagonist is
looking at where the shot was fired, he wasn’t informed that the
shot was fired from the roof but he automatically looks towards the
Roof, this indicates that the protagonist is a experienced detective,
This appeals to the audience because they know they are getting
There moneys worth because he is cool.