Harry Callahan quotes from Dirty Harry (1971)

Harry Callahan

You gotta be kidding. I don't got any time to break in any newcomers. Why don't you do this boy a favor...if I need a partner, I'll get me someone who knows what the hell he's doin'.

Harry Callahan

Now you know why they call me 'Dirty Harry.' Every dirty job that comes along.

Harry Callahan

Gonzales was obeying orders from his superior, me...he didn't know anything about it. And when this mess is over, if he [the Chief] wants my badge, well, he can have that too.

Mayor

All right, let's have it.

Callahan

Have what?

Mayor

Your report. What have you been doing?

Callahan

Oh, well for the past three quarters of an hour, I have been sitting on my ass in your outer office, waiting on you.

Bressler

Dammit all, Harry, that's the Mayor you're talking to!...

Mayor

Won't you sit down Inspector Callahan?....There's a madman loose, I've asked you what's being done, fair enough?

Callahan

We've got a dozen men checking identification files, checking on all known extortionists, roof top prowlers, rifle nuts, peepers..

Bressler

Mr. Mayor - we've arranged for rooftop surveillance and helicopter patrols especially around the Catholic churches and schools and in the black area.

Callahan

Ballistics is checking on the slug. We're pretty sure it's a 30 ott 6, 7 lands and grooves, righthand twist...

Bressler

Sir - we're running a computer check on everybody in the files whose birthday falls between October 23rd and November the 21st.

Mayor

Why?

Callahan

Natives of Scorpio.

Mayor

Thank you Inspector. Have any of you mentioned this note to anyone? How about you? (looking at Callahan)

Callahan

Nobody.

Mayor

Your wife, sweetheart,...press?

Callahan

Nobody.

Mayor

All right. Give the message to the Chronicle. We'll agree to pay, but we'll tell him we need time to get the money together.

Callahan

Wait a minute. Do I get this rght? You're gonna play this creep's game?

Mayor

It'll get us more breathing space.

Callahan

It also might get somebody killed. Why don't you let me meet with the son-of-a-bitch?

Chief

No, none of that. You'd end up with a real blood-bath.

Mayor

I agree with the Chief. We'll do it this way, all right?

Bressler

Thank you Mr. Mayor. Come on Callahan, let's go.

Mayor

Callahan.

Callahan

Sir?

Mayor

I don't want any more trouble like you had last year in the Fillmore District. Understand? That's my policy.

Callahan

Yeah, well, when an adult male is chasing a female with intent to commit rape, I shoot the bastard, that's my policy.

Mayor

Intent? How did you establish that?

Callahan

When a naked man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butcher knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn't out collecting for the Red Cross.

Mayor

I think he's got a point.

Jaffe

The usual lunch or the usual dinner?

Callahan

Well, what difference does that make?

Jaffe

None.

Callahan

Say Jaffe, is that tan Ford still parked in front of the bank?

Jaffe

Tan Ford...Yep. Tan Ford.

Callahan

Engine running?

Jaffe

I don't know. How can I tell?

Callahan

Exhaust fumes coming from the tailpipe.

Jaffe

Oh, my God. That is awful. Look at all that pollution.

Callahan

Yeah. Do me a favor. [gives him slip of paper] Call this number.

Jaffe

Police department?

Callahan

Yeah. Tell them Inspector Callahan thinks there's a 211 in progress at the bank. Be sure and tell them that's in progress.

Jaffe

In progress. Yes sir.

Callahan

Now, if they'll just wait for the cavalry to arrive.

Callahan

Ah, shit...

Callahan

I know what you're thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I've kinda lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?

Thief

Hey....I gots to know!
[Callahan pulls the trigger, but the gun just clicks on an empty chamber and he grins. Camera cuts to the thief mouthing "Son of a bitch!"]

Sure, Harry. We can save the leg. [takes out some scissors]

Callahan

What are you going to do with those?

Going to cut your pants off.

Callahan

No. I'll take them off.

It'll hurt.

Callahan

$29.50, let it hurt.

Gonzales

Why do they call ya 'Dirty Harry'?

De Georgio

That's one thing about our Harry, he doesn't play any favorites. Harry hates everybody. Li**ys, M**ks, H*bs, Fat D**os, ****, H**kies, ****, you name it.

Gonzales

How does he feel about Mexicans?

De Georgio

Ask him.

Callahan

Especially Sp**s.

Callahan

These loonies. They ought to throw a net over the whole bunch of 'em.

Gonzales

I know what you mean.

Hey, fruitcake, what do you think you're doing?

Callahan

Get the hell out of the way, hammerhead.

What's in the bag, man?

Callahan

You dudes get lost now, ya hear?

Screw the bag.

Yeah, just give us the wallet now.

Callahan

You don't listen, do ya, asshole?

Callahan

I'm Callahan.

My friends call me Alice, and I will take a dare.

Callahan

Well, Alice, when was the last time you were busted?

If you're vice, I'll kill myself.

Callahan

Well, do it at home!

Gonzalez

I've been doing a lot of thinking about it. I have a teaching credential and I figure, what for, you know?
...

I thought I could take it...Whatever it takes to be a cop's wife, I'm just not sure I'm making it. He really tries and these bastards, you know, Pig this, Pig that. Ah, but maybe it's when I watch him walk out that door at night, and I think, what if this is the last time I ever see him again...doesn't it drive your wife crazy?

Callahan

Nope.

You mean she got used to it.

Callahan

No, she never did really.

Well, what then?

Callahan

She's dead.

Oh, please forgive me.

Callahan

She was driving home late one night and a drunk crossed the center line. There was no reason for it really.

I'm so sorry.

Callahan

That's o.k. Look, I want you to tell Chico that I understand, you know, him quitting. I-I think he's right. This is no life for you two.

Why do you stay in it then?

Callahan

I don't know, I really don't.

De Georgio

Illegal entry, no warrant.

Callahan

Looks like we climb.

De Georgio

Uh-uh. Too much linguini. I'll find another way.

De Georgio

You need any help?

Callahan

Go on out and get some air, fatso.

De Georgio

You're the boss.

Scorpio

No, no, no, no. Don't do anything more. You tried to kill me...Please no more, I'm hurt, can't you see I'm hurt? You shot me, please don't, don't! Let me have a doctor...Please give me the doctor, don't kill me.

Callahan

The girl, where is she?

Scorpio

You tried to kill me!

Callahan

If I tried that, your head'd be splattered all over this field. Now where's the girl?

Scorpio

I want a lawyer!

Callahan

I said, where's the girl?

Scorpio

I have the right for a lawyer.

Callahan

Where's the girl?

Scorpio

I have the right for a lawyer, don't shoot me, I have rights, want a lawyer.

I've just been looking over your arrest report. A very unusual piece of police work. Really amazing.

Callahan

Yeah, well I had some luck.

You're lucky I'm not indicting you for assault with intent to commit murder.

Callahan

What?!

Where the hell does it say you've got a right to kick down doors, torture suspects, deny medical attention and legal counsel. Where have you been? Does Escobedo ring a bell? Miranda? I mean, you must have heard of the Fourth Amendment. What I'm saying is, that man had rights.

Callahan

Well, I'm all "broken up" about that man's rights.

You should be. I've got news for you, Callahan. As soon as he's well enough to leave the hospital, he walks.

Callahan

What are you talking about?

He's free.

Callahan

You mean you're letting him go?

We have to, we can't try him.

Callahan

And why is that?

Because I'm not wasting a half a million dollars of the taxpayer's money on a trial we can't possibly win. The problem is, we don't have any evidence.

Callahan

Evidence? What the hell do you call that? [He gestures toward Scorpio's weapon]

I call it nothing, zero.

Callahan

Are you trying to tell me that Ballistics can't match the bullet up to this rifle?

It does not matter what Ballistics can do. This rifle might make a nice souvenir. But it's inadmissible as evidence.

Callahan

And who says that?

It's the law.

Callahan

Well then, the law is crazy!

This is Judge Bannerman of the appellate court. He also holds classes in constitutional law in Berkeley. I've asked him for an opinion, your Honor?

Well, in my opinion, the search of the suspect's quarters was illegal. Evidence obtained thereby, such as that hunting rifle, for instance, is inadmissible in court. You should have gotten a search warrant. I'm sorry, but it's that simple.

Callahan

Search warrant!? There was a girl dying.

She was in fact dead according to the medical report.

Callahan

But I didn't know that.

The court would have to recognize the police officer's legitimate concern for the girl's life, but there is no way they can possibly condone police torture. All evidence concerning the girl - the suspect's confession, all physical evidence - would have to be excluded.

Callahan

There must be something you can get him on.

Without the evidence of the gun and the girl, (half chuckles) I couldn't convict him of spitting on the sidewalk. No, the suspect's rights were violated, under the Fourth and Fifth and probably the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments.

Callahan

And Anne Marie Deacon, what about her rights? I mean, she's raped and left in a hole to die. Who speaks for her?

The District Attorney's office, if you'll let us. I've got a wife and three kids. I don't want him on the streets any more than you do.

Callahan

Well, he won't be out there long.

What is that supposed to mean?

Callahan

I mean sooner or later he's gonna stub his toe and then I'll be right there.

This office won't stand for any harrassment.

Callahan

You know, you're crazy if you think you've heard the last of this guy. He's gonna kill again.

How do you know?

Callahan

'Cause he likes it.

Chief

Have you been following that man?

Callahan

Yeah, I've been following him on my own time. And anybody can tell I didn't do that to him.

Chief

How?

Callahan

Cause he looks too damn good, that's how!

Chief

Callahan? - you willing to take the money to him?

Callahan

When are you people gonna stop messing around with this guy. He's gotta be stopped now.

Mayor

He's got a busload of kids and I can't take that chance. I gave my word of honor on it, and he will not be molested - and that's a direct order, Callahan!

Callahan

Well, you can just get yourself another delivery boy.

Callahan

I know what you're thinkin', punk. You're thinkin' did he fire six shots or only five? Now to tell you the truth, I forgotten myself in all this excitement. But bein' this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and it'll blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself a question. Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?!
Note: the bolded portion is ranked #51 in the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 movie quotations in American cinema.

Scorpio

Drop the gun, creep!

Scorpio

I'll blow his brains out! [continues laughing manically]

Scorpio

Drop the **** gun!

Callahan

I know what you're thinking, punk. You're thinking "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Now, to tell you the truth, I've forgotten myself in all this excitement. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and it will blow your head clean off, you've gotta ask yourself a question: 'Do I feel lucky?

Callahan

Well, do ya, punk?
[Scorpio laughs maniacally and retrieves his gun in an attempt to shoot Callahan, only to be shot in the chest and killed]