Director Ted Post (Hang ‘Em High, The Baby) helmed this second entry in the then burgeoning Dirty Harry franchise, with a script co-written by John Milius and Michael Cimino. After some apparently off-screen introspection, Harry (Clint Eastwood) has decided to rejoin the police after throwing away his badge in disgust at the end of the initial violent masterwork directed by Don Siegel. He finds his own over-the-top vigilante ways being taken to outrageous extremes by a mysterious death squad who are eliminating various high profile racketeers and drug dealers across the city. Realizing there is a line he cannot cross, however much he is devoted to cutting red tape, he goes on the hunt for the elusive executioners, despite hindrances put in place by his over-zealous superior (Hal Holbrook). A couple of red herrings pop up, including a misfit older policeman (Mitchell Ryan) with marital problems, before Harry discovers that four young motorcyle cops may be the culprits. He is also shocked to realize that they may have the blessings of higher ranking officers, and that he has just been added to the hit list. Some slambang action sequences punctuate the saga (a few rumored to have been directed by stunt coordinator Buddy Van Horn and Eastwood, himself). The gonzo deaths include the infamous death-by-drain-cleaner sequence. With David Soul, Felton Perry and Robert Urich.
Alan Spencer discusses Magnum Force for Trailers From Hell.
