I have to disagree with the 'Big Cat', Jeremy Davis. I really like this film. I thought the screenplay was well thought out and the actors did well in portraying their roles. Although I have to admit that everytime I saw Scorpio I laughed because the guy just straight up looked like a goober. Anyways, there were in fact a few elements that portrayed Christ in this film. I would call it middle Christology for sure, as it doesn't specifically render Christ on the cross, yet doesn't make a mockery of Him either.
Harry was 'Dirty Harry' because he was the guy who did all the dirty jobs. He was the clean up man who took care of the business no one else wanted to do...nor could they do. He saved that man from jumping off the roof for instance. He's an inspector for crying out loud, that's not even his job. Yet somehow that's where he finds himself. I think that's a great image for us to think about when relating the film to Christ. 'Dirty Jesus' did what no one else wanted to do, nor could they do. Taking on the evils of the world in an unorthodox way, and issuing in salvation for those who call upon His name.
The image of Harry at the foot of the cross is crucial. I thought it was ironic to see Harry carrying the "ransom" to the base of the cross. Definitely a connection there to Christ. As Harry was beat up for the ransom money, my mind went straight to the beatings that Christ endured for us, and eventually His death on the cross. We can mention that Harry had his symbolic death/resurrection episode as Scorpio left him beaten and bruised. In that event, Harry comes back from "death" and delivers a fatal blow to the personhood of Scorpio. Eventually, the final defeat would be recognized at the end of the movie.
As agent of Divine Wrath, Harry does in fact illustrate a nice picture for us of some of the attributes we see in Christ. Obviously there are undertones we can't lump in with the divine nature of Jesus, but they sure did make for a good film.
James Baumgartner
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He is the clean up guy. He has to clean up the mess. Whether he wants to or not, that's where he finds himself. Of course we will not deny that it was the will of Jesus to save us (clean up our mess), but after seeing this movie, I have to wonder if Jesus would ever roll His eyes and be reminded yet again as He walked the roads of Judea that it was all on Him. - Not at all a joyous task, but one that had to be done nevertheless.
ReplyDeleteJames Maxwell
In my defense (even thought I could care less), my feelings about the film were largely based on the fact that we were not able to watch the entire film. I recogize that the editing of the film was reflective of the time therefore some of the more abrupt scene changes were just a part of the story telling. However, with the additional editing the flow of the movie was extremely disrupted for me. I wish I would have seen it in its entirety. I understand why the scenes were taken out, but they provided further basis for the motivation of the character and the storyline. The scene under the cross was indeed a fantastic Christological flavored scene. The bluntness that the scene was put our there with gave me a chill even. Unfortunatley however, I think this film is still a mirror image of much vigilanteism(sp?)that has grown in popularity since the film came out. I do not blaim this film for such acts. However, we must understand that these feelings and rebellions are valid. We must then learn how to react and interact with those who feel that they should be a modern Dirty H. How does Christianiy deal with these issues? In light of this movie, this and other questions are important for us to be ready to answer.
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Jeremy "Big Cat" Davis