It seems that while Harry Callahan is a rather vicious and violent character, we need to take a look at the Christological implications and the intentions of those involved in the making of this movie. Also we need to take into account the context that Prof. Lewis placed around the making of this movie.
The two instances that come to mind in the intentional Christlike display are the "Jesus Saves" sign and the "coming to the cross" scene in the park. It seems pretty obvious that these two inclusions, along with several others, were not accidents. We may not like the idea of a Christ figure being portrayed as being violent or hostile but it's apparent that this violent character is to remind us of Christ. This is most certainly a savior to the public that has been handed several Supreme court decisions that seemed to favor the criminals in society.
I would argue that the makers of this movie do not necessarily see Jesus as a violent, agent of wrath, but they saw Harry as a savior that needed to be necessarily violent and hostile toward the judical system because the public had felt that the justice system had turned their back on them. Harry was a savior in the time and place that audience was in.
I would say that the Christology in this movie is middle not because Harry's individual actions were Christlike in nature, but that Harry's overall demeanor and characterization were salvific towards the public in that time and place.
Mike Boothby
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I wish I could come back with some stinging rebuttal to your claims...but I can not. I like your take on it that he isn't necessarily vigilante by nature, but because it's what needs to be done. Saying Jesus acted in this way could be risky, but at the same time, I think we see in the Garden that he wasn't totally gung-ho about what was about to happen, but he knew it's what needed to be done. Hopefully that didn't sound theologically flippant in regards to Jesus' betrayal and death, because it wasn't my intent. Anyway, rock on, Booth.
ReplyDeleteJeremy Latzke
"This is most certainly a savior to the public that has been handed several Supreme court decisions that seemed to favor the criminals in society."
ReplyDeleteI think you put this right by stating that Harry is _a_ savior and not _the_ savior as a reaction to the judicial decisions of the time. I think that the allusions in the movie (which you point out) to the true Savior are intentional becuase the writer/director are trying to point out Harry's role in the film - he is not just a vigilante cop (as some might take him), but he is trying to right the wrong, so to speak, that is seen in the society of his time. So also it might be said that Jesus came to "right the wrong" of his day, though this statement is a little shallow for Christ's mission of restoration for all times and places.
Kevin Mann
The Christology in Dirty Harry fits with your label as middle Christology.
ReplyDeleteHarry did what had to be done, and he wouldn't obey the laws or rules of his time. Christ went after the Pharisees for their oppressive and legalistic ways, just as Harry shows little regard for the system in which he finds himself.
Harry is interested in justice and the crushing of evil. Christ ultimately defeated evil on the cross, Harry defeats one aspect of evil in stopping the serial killer from harming more people.
Jack Gilbert