'Sudden Impact', released in 1983, is the fourth movie featuring the character of Harry Callahan (a.k.a. 'Dirty Harry'), which is played by Clint Eastwood in all four movies. One of the most famous and memorable lines in Hollywood history was uttered by Harry in this movie: "Go ahead, make my day."
In the movie, the gang rape of Jennifer Spencer (Sondra Locke) and her sister has left the latter in vegetative state, driving Jennifer to seek revenge by killing their attackers one at a time. The movie opens with such a scene - Jennifer killing one of their rapists, George Wilburn.
The scene shifts to a courtroom where Harry's case against a suspect named Hawkins is dismissed because of the questionable means by which Harry has obtained the necessary evidence. Harry proceeds to his favorite diner to get some coffee. He has already left the diner before he realizes that something is wrong - his coffee contains excessive amounts of sugar. He goes back to the diner where he encounters four robbers, all of whom are dispatched by Harry quite easily. This well-crafted encounter scene is where the 'Go ahead, make my day' line was said. This scene was also spoofed by ToyHollywood.com in this video.
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Figure 1. It is in this scene that Dirty Harry uttered the words "Go ahead, make my day." This scene was spoofed by ToyHollywood.com in this video. |
The next day, Harry investigates the murder of George Wilburn, who still lies in his car with gunshot wounds. Harry is asked to go on vacation by his superiors moments later because they did not like the way he has confronted an old drug lord named Threlkis at the latter's granddaughter's wedding party the night before. Harry has caused Threlkis to die of a heart attack by embarassing him in front of his granddaughter regarding a case wherein Threlkis is supposed to be involved in the death of a hooker.
Callahan survives two attempts on his life after this - first by the hitmen of Threlkis and then by Hawkins and his buddies. As in most 'Dirty Harry' encounters, these attacks have left a number of dead buddies lying around. This is the last straw for Lt. Donnelly, who asks Harry to 'go away' somewhere. Callahan chooses to settle in a town called San Paulo.
Jennifer is also in San Paulo to hunt down the rest of their rapists who are in the same town. She kills one named Kruger at once, while he's fishing at the beach. When Callahan tries to help in the investigation he is driven away by the local authorities. Callahan asks Bennett to help him with the case.
Meanwhile, Jennifer kills another rapist known as 'Tyrone' in his home. Ray Parkins, a friend of the rapists who has earlier talked to Tyron about the killings, informs the rapist-gang leader Mick about the murders and asks him to come home.
Seeing Tyrone's murder, Harry pays Parkins a visit to get more information. Harry is attacked by Mick, who is overcome and arrested by Harry. After Harry and Mick leaves the house, Jennifer goes in and kills Ray Parkins. Harry learns of Parkins' death when he comes back to her house.
Meanwhile, Mick is bailed out by his friends - Carl and Eddie. The trio heads off to Callahan's room, where they encounter Harry's friend Horace. They slit Horace's throat and steal his gun.
Callahan meets up with Jennifer late that night at the pier. Callahan has met Jennifer twice before, but he is not aware of Jennifer's involvement in the murders that he is investigating. After talking, Jennifer invites Harry to her apartment where she sleeps with him.
Harry goes to the fish market to investigate after he finds out that Mick has been bailed out, where the trio attacks him. A melee starts, which ends with Harry being dumped into the water and his famous .44 Magnum being lost in it.
Jennifer goes to the home of another rapist (Chief Janning's son, Alby), to kill him but she finds him in a vegetative state like her sister. Jannings arrives and asks her to drop her gun, explaining that he has covered up their rape case because he was a public figure. Out of guilt, Jannings says he has tried to commit suicide, which left his son a vegetable.
Jennifer says that she'll just deal with one more suspect, at which point Mick, Eddie and Carl arrive. They take Jennifer as a hostage and shoots Jannings with Jennifer's gun when he tries to intervene. Meanwhile, a frustrated Harry Callahan opens his drawer and gets an Automag - his concealed weapon.
Eddie, Carl, and Mick are about to gang-rape Jennifer again at the same amusement park when she manages to escape, hide, and then run to the board walk. The trio goes after her, and then they see the silhouette of Harry Callahan on the boardwalk. Eddie and Carl are killed, while Mick is able to take Jennifer as hostage again.
Mick takes Jennifer on a roller coaster where Jennifer is able to punch Mick to give Harry below a clear shot. Harry hits Mick, who falls off the roller coaster and meets his death by getting impaled on a unicorn's horn.
The police find Jennifer's gun with the suspects and assume that it belongs to them in the first place. At Harry's suggestion, ballistics tests are done on the gun, the results of which have supported the police's conclusion that Mick is the one responsible for all the murders. This exonerates Jennifer forever. She is seen walking down the boardwalk with Harry as the movie ends.
Information on the movie's full credits may be found at:
