Usually anyway. Ted Post was so very great as a director that he managed to make everyone in his films come off like the characters they are playing--no matter how familiar you are with the actor from other movies (even Eastwood seems almost nothing like himself here and he comes off like a real cop). When one is in a Ted Post film it is impossible to believe that actor is NOT the character he is playing.
shareAccording to the trivia for the movie, Eastwood and the 2nd unit director actually did most of the directing even as Post was credited.
My official blog: http://cinetarium.blogspot.com/
Perhaps when the car was in the chase scene near the end Eastwood largely directed the exterior shots of it---- but most of the film was definitely Post's work. There was a behind-the-scenes extra on the DVD to this film and it showed Post clearly directing the film. Only Post could get that much credibility out of his actors.
share[deleted]
Is this some sort of irony?
I find Ted Post's direction in Magnum Force both uninspired and boring. Apart from some neat character portraits visually the film is extremely unimaginative and CINEMA is first and foremost a visual medium. For comparison check out Don Siegel's beautiful direction of the previous "Dirty Harry" and even Eastwood's own direction of "Sudden Impact". Post's work on "Magnum Force" pales in comparison, I'd go as far as to say his contribution to the series is cinematically about as exciting as an episode of a weekly police procedural tv-show.
I know this sounds harsh so don't get me wrong, I can appreciate the sort of no-nonsense direct style Post is sporting, but I can't see how he is in any way helping "Magnum Force" achieve any real greatness. Ted Post was a competent director and "Magnum Force" looks competent, but not much more.
I agree. I enjoy this film for the story and characters, but watch it after viewing Dirty Harry and it doesn't have any of the amazing shots and camera work of the first one. The way they pull the camera up and away as Harry is torturing Scorpio at Kezer Stadium is magnificent. The scene at the cross as well. The direction, cinematography and soundtrack on the original makes Dirty Harry the superior film in my opinion.
shareYes, and especially the scene you mention at Kezer Stadium is sensationally executed. "Dirty Harry" is arguably the greatest work of Don Siegel, one of the finest American directors who ever lived, and the way he uses San Francisco is beautiful. Compared to his work on the first Dirty Harry-film Ted Post's "Magnum Force" doesn't come close, but then again few 70's action films do.
shareDIRTY HARRY-71', is gritty, raw and to the point. While MAGNUM FORCE could be considered an under-rated Harry entry, it is also clean-cut Harry in parts. I think it was attempting to be an important and epic police thriller\drama; but it can also comes over as quite flat in parts. It lacks a certain pizzazz, adrenaline or excitement. It is a better film than THE ENFORCER-77', just not as fun to watch. I think Eastwood got back on track with his Harry character with SUDDEN IMPACT-83', which is my second favorite Harry.
Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:💩
Nerd, look at the way all the actors become their characters in MF ----so much so it is totally hard to believe they are not the characters they are playing. Even if you have seen David Soul, Robert Urich, and Clint himself all in many other parts you still cannot believe they are not the characters they are playing here. How exciting it is (compared to other Dirty Harry entries) is slightly another point.
shareThe Post-directed movie is a great character study. I cannot believe this many of you Eastwood fans do not care much for this excellent movie. Some of you merely saw it on the small screen--remember it had a lot more impact on a large movie screen.
shareMagnum Force was hands down the best of the DH movies.
shareand you've directed how many movies? lol loser
share