By: Bakri Baharom

019-488-1430 16 April 2014

designed & edited by: Azlida Ahmad (PTSS)

I am neither a film critic nor a film addict, but I enjoy The film kicked off with an assassin taking a shot at a young watching films at times. During my secondary school days (1972 - lady swimming in a pool from the rooftop. Using a hand-gun with 1977), through its Cinema Club the school would screen films every telescopic lens made targets an easy prey. First responders to the fortnight. The juniors (Form 1 - 3) would watch on Friday night while scene were a team of forensic and detectives, while the shooter the seniors (Form 4 - 6), the next night. There were all English films. made an escape. The lady was pronounced dead. Inspector Callahan Among the most memorable ones were Dracula played by Peter scouted the possible location of the shooter only to find an empty Cushing (1913 – 1994) who scared us out of our wits. We enjoyed bullet casing and a note by the killer: very much the cowboy as well as the cartoon films. My all-time favourites from then till now were Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood. Incidentally, the teacher who was in-charge of the "To the City of San Francisco. I Cinema Club was Mr Chan Teng Hong was also my Remove Class will enjoy killing one person every form teacher in 1972. day until you pay me one Clint Eastwood was born Clinton Eastwood on 31 May hundred thousand dollars 1930 in San Francisco, USA. That means he is now 84 years old and ($100,000). If you agree say so remains active in film making. In real life, he has 7 children from 5 tomorrow morning in personal spouses/partners. To date he has acted in no less than 65 films. He directed some of the films as well as playing the main cast. For this column, San Francisco Chronicle installment, let’s review one of his 5 sequels as Harry Callahan, the and I will set up a meeting. If I do extra-ordinary San Francisco Police Inspector. The films are Dirty not hear from you, it will be my Harry (1971), Magnum Force (1973), The Enforcer (1976), Sudden Impact (1983) and The Dead Pool (1988). Let’s probe pleasure to kill a Catholic priest or into Dirty Harry first: a nigger". SCORPIO

Duration : 1 hour 43 minutes Film Company : Warner Bros Pictures Inspector Callahan : Clint Eastwood Inspector Callahan’s Partner : Reni Santoni (Chico) The bad guy : Andy Robinson (Scorpio) The mayor called the top police brass for discussion. Inspector Callahan (IC) who was assigned with the case was San Francisco Mayor : John Vernon (Mayor) San Francisco Police Chief : John Larch (Chief) consulted. Finally, the mayor decided to yield to the sniper’s demand San Francisco Police Lieutenant : Harry Guardino (Bresseler) to gain some breathing space. It was also decided that San Francisco Producer and Director : Don Siegel Police will station policemen on the rooftops with watchful eyes from Synopsis of the film : In a signature role, Clint Eastwood plays a the helicopters. The statement in the newspaper will read: streetwise San Francisco police detective who gets the job done. A rooftop sniper named "TO SCORPIO. We Scorpio is involved in 2 murders. Harry Reni Santoni Callahan will nail the perpetrator, one way or agree to but need

another, no matter what the system prescribes. time to get Filming on location, director Don Siegel made the City by the Bay a vital part of one of the money. Be patient." Andy Robinson best police thrillers ever made.

In the next scene, IC was at a Burger Restaurant downtown. police officers on a chopper spotted him. Through a hailer, the police While ordering his lunch, he asked the waiter (Jaffe) to look at a tan called him out to surrender. He had no choice but to abandon the Ford car parking next to the bank across the street. He suspected operation. He quickly exited through the rooftop door. The that there might be a bank robbery in progress. As the waiter was information passed to the police on the street was male, calling the police, the bank alarm went off followed by a gunshot. Caucasian, wearing a pale blue shirt, brown coat or The pedestrians scurried for cover. IC approached the crime scene sweater, dark gloves, and carrying a tan suitcase. Chico with his gun drawn. The robber with a hand-gun retreated from the and IC who were driving combed the area. It was already dark. It bank and fired at him, but missed. The return shot by IC hit the turned out the guy whom they spotted carrying a bag of similar robber's arm. He fell on the pavement. As the accomplices tried to colour was a wrong suspect. Chico had to bail IC out as he was escape with the tan Ford, IC shot them all. The car hit a stall before attacked by the neighbourhood watch group that thought he was a a water hydrant near it turned turtle. IC approached the first guy he peeping Tom. They walked away empty handed. shot at. He was sprawling on his back with his head leaning against a wooden flower pot, but was still alive. Blood oozed out from his The next minute, the police car radio reported an incident in right hand. He tried to reach for his gun. IC pointed his revolver at progress, code-named 8-0-4, at California Hall at Polk and Turk the man, and said: Street. IC and Chico rushed to the location, blaring the siren. As they reached at the scene, the crowd was looking upward. A suicidal man was about to throw himself off from the top of a building. Firemen "I know what you're thinking: 'Did he fire six shots or only with mobile crane were already on stand-by. They tried to console five?'. Well to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of him but to no avail. The fireman suggested that IC went up using lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most the crane and reason with the man. The crowd grew larger. The powerful handgun in the world and would blow your head clean exchange was quite interesting. Look at the kind of off, you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do you, punk?". reverse psychology that IC employed.

Chico

IC then gave a wry smile. The robber tried to inch towards his gun with his left hand but changed his mind. As IC collected the Man: Don't you try to get me. robber's gun and moved away, the man could not contain his IC: Not me, no. You're the one who wants to get yourself killed, not me. Always curiosity. He said: happens with you guys, you know? The last minute you always want to grab onto somebody, take somebody with you. Down you go. Not me, brother. "Hey. I got to know." Man: Aren't you gonna try to grab me? IC: A friend of mine, was up about 20 floors with a jumper a few years ago. The jumper grabbed him and they went off. And 20 floors down, just mashed all over. IC turned back, walked up close to the man, pointed his Couldn't tell which legs were with which, which arms were with which. And it revolver at the man's head and released the safety-cock. The injured was a terrible mess. I tell you, I almost threw up myself. I'd just like your name robber was terrified. IC pulled the trigger. It was an empty click. IC and address, that's all. chuckled and the bad man cursed his heart out. Man: Why? IC: Like I said, it's such a mess down there afterwards. It makes identification

impossible, even if they find your driver's license, all that blood and everything. Scorpio checked out the advertisement the next day while Man: I think...I think I'm gonna puke. he was on top of a building overlooking a church. He felt dejected. IC: Oh, now don't do that son. I mean, all those people down there looking up. The As he was scanning the area with a telescope, a black man (bishop?) fire chief’s looking up. His face... appeared from the next building. Scorpio continued to trace him until Man: You rotten... he settled down with a friend on a bench. It was a perfect spot for a killing. With a contented grin on his face, the sniper hastily assembled his rifle and took an aim. As he was about to fire, two The furious man jumped towards IC. IC grabbed him. They Notice how the killer was both cruel and cunning. He knew tussled and the disturbed man was hampered by a blow on his nose. what he wanted by stating his terms and conditions clearly; he sent The firemen quickly brought the crane down. The man was tamed. strands of the girl’s hair and extracted her tooth for her mother's and From that incident, Chico learned why IC was known as Dirty Harry dentist's identifications respectively. The ransom money was doubled (DH). He always got to do all the dirty jobs. as he felt "cheated" in the previous attempt. He wanted the cash to be in used tens and twenties to avoid the serial numbers. He set his time limit up to the availability of the oxygen tank and should the Every thief, robber or assassin would have his/her own police fail to act the victim will die and they would be blamed. (So, if signature way in committing crime. For Scorpio, the sniping shot you think you are badly suffering in your office, compare it to the kind of would always be from the rooftop. Using a gun, he next shot dead a pressure the police officers are undergoing). The mayor managed to 10-year old black boy, Charlie Russell. It was to say he meant gather the cash and DH volunteered to deliver the bag to Scorpio, business. The police studied Scorpio’s habit and behaviour pattern. alone. For instance, they knew for a fact that some robbers would rob the very same store three or four times in a row. That was known as super-ego. So, they laid a trap. All the exits to the rooftops were Chico was given the night leave. He and DH went to acquire locked except in the targeted area, next to the church where there a pair of battery-operated radio communication gadget that would would be a special event, and where Scorpio abandoned his killing work within a distance of a few blocks. That meant Chico could before. The priest was told that he would be bait while DH and Chico follow DH in case the latter got into trouble. With $200,000 in a would be on surveillance, watching with binoculars. The order was to yellow bag, DH was prepared to run all over town. The Lieutenant shoot Scorpio on sight. True enough, after a few minutes, Scorpio reminded DH to do as Scorpio instructed him. As an extra took the bait. As he was closing in nearer to the target, Chico shone precaution, DH taped a knife to his leg on top of carrying his usual his torchlight on Scorpio's face and DH fired his shorts. All went .44 Magnum. The first destination was Marina Green East Harbour. wide. Scorpio returned fire using his sub-machine gun and finally After a while, the public phone rang. The first instruction by Scorpio: vanished in the dark night.

Scorpio: You got a yellow suitcase? The next day DH and Chico was summoned by the police DH: Yeah, I got it right with me. Scorpio: What's your name? lieutenant. Scorpio had grabbed a 14-year old girl, Ann Mary Deacon DH: Callahan. as ransom. The police found a note: Scorpio: What are you? DH: Police officer. (pause). Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello! "Ann Mary Deacon, buried alive. Double- Scorpio: All right, police officer, this is how we play. I bounce you all over town to make sure you're alone. If I even think you're being followed, the girl dies. If crossing San Francisco police made me do you talked to anyone, I don't care if it's a Pekinese pissing against a lamp this. Now ransom $200,000, in used tens post, the girl dies. and twenties. One man with yellow bag. DH: Is the girl OK? South side Marina. Green East Harbour. 9 Scorpio: Just shut up and listen. No car. I give you a certain amount of time to go p.m. She has oxygen until 3 a.m. from phone booth to phone booth. I ring four times. If you don't answer by the tomorrow morning. Mole on left thigh. fourth ring, I hang up and that's the end of the game. The girl dies. What time Anything cute and you will force me to you got? DH: 9.30. Now listen... let the girl die of slow suffocation." Scorpio: You listen. I'm watching you. Not all the time, but you'll never know when or where. Now get to Forest Hills Station as fast as you can. Understand? Cop. I Scorpio hope you are not stupid.

Observe the conversation between Scorpio and DH. Scorpio Scorpio thumped the back of DH’s head with a gun. As DH immediately settled to his business to see whether the ransom collapsed, Scorpio who covered his head with a ski-mask kicked him money is ready. After learning DH’s name, he paused long enough repeatedly. DH looked like he was about to pass out. Look at the next to create anxiety on the part of the police officer. Next, he dictated conversation: the rule of the game, all to his advantage using the ransom he held. He did not allow any room for DH to establish any conversation for Scorpio: I've changed my mind. I'm going to let her die. I just wanted you to know that. You such a thing could lead to some compromise on him. He warned DH in the clearest terms of the consequences should he break any of understand? I just wanted to make sure you knew that before I killed you. Goodbye, Callahan. the rules. Imagine if you were DH, what can you speculate about the background or character of such a person? Educated? Leftist? Psychopath? or simply a nut?

In a film, the hero never dies. As Scorpio was about to pull the DH was asked to run all over town; starting off at Marina trigger, Chico fired his shot from the bushes. Scorpio returned fire with his Green East Harbour; Forest Hills Station; taking the "K" car machine-gun. As both of them were busy trading fires, DH quietly pulled out (underground tram) to Church and 20th; Hamburger Stand, Aquatic the knife taped to his leg. Chico was hit at the exact moment the knife Park; and finally at the cross at Mt. Davidson Park. All the while struck deep into Scorpio's thigh. He groaned and stumbled down the slope. Chico monitored the conversation over the one-way-radio and drove He stood up, pulled out a dagger, and made an escape leaving Chico, DH to all the destinations. and the money behind. Limping, Scorpio made his way to seek for hospital

treatment. Unknown to him, the doctor reported the case of a man with a All the way, between phone booth to the next, some small knife wound in his leg to the police. DH rushed to the doctor's office to get incidents happened like a group of men tried to rob him of his yellow further information. The doctor recalled seeing the guy around the bag; or an old man sitting next to the phone booth rushed to pick up residential area near the Kezar stadium. the phone even when DH shouted against it, etc. to add more drama

and tense to the story. DH and his new partner, De Georgio dashed to the stadium. As the

gate was locked, DH had to climb over the high fence. Scorpio knew trouble Finally DH reached the giant Cross. Look at the next was coming his way so he tried to flee through the back door, pursued by conversation between Scorpio and DH in person: DH. DH's partner found the switch to the flood-lighting. The stadium was suddenly as bright as daylight, and Scorpio was exposed in the middle of

the football field. DH fired his shot and it hit Scorpio's leg, throwing him off Scorpio: Freeze. Just like a statue. That's right. One wrong move, anything, I don't care. I'll to the ground groaning in pain. Look at the next conversation: kill you and the girl both. You understand? DH: Yeah. Scorpio: Drop the bag. Left hand. Let's see the gun. My, that's a big one. Left hand. Throw it. Easy. Raise your hands. Come on, get them up. Now turn. Face the cross. Come on. Put your nose right up against the cement.

Harry Guardino

Scorpio: No, no, no. Don't do anything more! No, you tried to kill me! Please! No more! I'm Rothko introduced a judge, Bannerman of the Appellate Court. hurt. Can't you see I'm hurt? You shot me! Please, don't! Let me have a doctor.

Please, get me the doctor. Don't kill me! DH: The girl, where is she? Judge: Well, in my opinion, the search of the suspect's quarters was illegal. Evidence Scorpio: You tried to kill me! obtained thereby, such as that hunting rifle, for instance is inadmissible in court. DH: If I tried that, your head would be splattered all over this field. Now, where's the You should have gotten a search warrant. I'm sorry but it's that simple. girl? Scorpio: I want a lawyer. DH: I said, where's the girl? Scorpio: I have the right for a lawyer. People say if you are not a lawyer, you will not understand law. There is a song that posed a question, which one comes first, the law or the lawyer? That is equivalent to the egg and the chicken DH stepped on his injured leg. Scorpio howled in question. If you think catching a killer is tough, it is even tougher to pain. Finally, with the information gained, the police located bring him/her to court. The law may not operate just like you and I where the girl was held at, near the San Francisco bridge. understand it. To convict anyone, the judge must be convinced that When they brought out her body from the man-hole, she the charges are proven beyond reasonable doubts with evidence and was already lifeless. Next, DH was summoned to the District witnesses. So, as soon as Scorpio was declared well by the hospital, Attorney office. he was set free and was scheming to discredit DH. Quietly he sought an underground bad-hat to bash his face pretty bad for $200 to frame DH. So , he was hospitalized, and blamed DH on TV and other media reporters. In the meantime, Chico recovered from the Rothko: I've just been looking over your arrest report. A very unusual piece of police gun shot and decided to quit the police force.

work. Really amazing. DH: Yeah, I had some luck. In the next scene, Scorpio went to buy a bottle Rothko: You're lucky I'm not indicting you for assault with intent to commit murder. of liquor at a local store. He came in limping with DH: What? plastered nose. Look at the following conversation with Rothko: Where does it say you've got a right to kick down doors, torture suspects? the shopkeeper (SK). See how easy he could come up Deny medical attention and legal counsel? Where have you been? Does with some credible story to gain his sympathy and Escobedo ring a bell? Miranda? I mean, you must have heard of the 4th escape suspicion. Amendment. What I'm saying is, that man had rights. DH: Well, I'm all broken up about that man's rights. Rothko: You should be. I've got news for you, Callahan. As soon as he's well enough to Scorpio: Hi. Um... Yeah, let me have a fifth of Seagram's, please. leave the hospital, he walks. SK: What the hell happened to you? DH: What are you talking about? Scorpio: My wife's brother. I hit her so he hit me several times. Rothko: He's free! SK: Five sixty-nine. DH: You mean you're letting him go? Scorpio: You're the guy that's been robbed all these times, aren't you? Rothko: We have to. We can't try him. SK: Fourteen times the last three years. Last two times, I sent them out of here on DH: And why is that? platters. I'm getting to be a pretty good shot. And I always keep it right here. Rothko: Because I'm not wasting a half-million dollars of the taxpayers money on a Right where it's handy. trial we can't possibly win. The problem is we don't have any evidence.

SK took out his pistol from under his sweater and pointed it to The bus continued the journey across the Francisco Bay, the Scorpio. driver was terrified and the children were forced to keep on singing until a boy became suspicious that they were not heading in the Scorpio: Please, I scare easy. right direction. To that, Scorpio responded that they were going to visit an ice-cream factory. Quick thinking. They exited the highway As SK was putting back his gun under his sweater, Scorpio to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard... and within moments Scorpio swung the bottle of liquor hitting SK’s left temple. The bottle noticed DH was standing on the overhead bridge that the bus would shattered, SK fell on the floor, Scorpio jumped over the counter, go through. Suddenly a green Volkswagen car kicked SK and retrieved the gun from him and made an escape. His approached from the near exit towards the bus path. real intention was actually to possess a gun and bullets for his next The bus driver had no choice but to hit the brake to move. avoid collision. As the bus passed under the bridge, DH jumped down. He landed perfectly on the top of the bus. The next day, Scorpio appeared near a bus stop. As soon as Scorpio shot DH through the roof 3 times but all went a school bus stopped, he jumped onto it and introduced himself as a wide. He took over the steering from the lady. He tried Bus Inspector to the remaining school children. The lady driver to shake off DH by zig-zagging left and right but was in protested but was pointed with a gun to her side. She was terrified vain. DH held tight to the luggage bar. There was nearly a head-on but was asked to drive wherever Scorpio directed her to. To the collision with a pick-up truck coming from the opposite direction. unsuspecting school children, Scorpio got them to sing songs, Scorpio swerved the steering off the road, hit a fence then lost starting with: 'Old McDonald had a farm...'. In the meantime, control of the bus. The bus stopped as it hit a massive heap of sand. DH was summoned to the mayor's office with the Police Lieutenant. The children cried in fear and confusion. DH was thrown off from the The office received the following note at 8.00 o'clock: roof-top. Scorpio made an escape through the back door. He ran towards what looked like an old quarry. DH regained his composure and gave a chase. As Scorpio was going up the steps of a building, “To the city of San Francisco. You have double-crossed he fired at DH. That was his 4th shot. DH returned fire once. As me for the last time. I'm warning you to have my Scorpio reached the conveyor belt that carried stone for processing, $200,000 in a jet airplane ready and waiting. I will he fired again. That was his 5th. DH returned fire, his 2nd shot. call the mayor's office at 1.00 o'clock and tell you Scorpio stopped to reload his gun. That means he was back with 6 about the hostages who I will be happy to kill if you bullets. That gave DH the opportunity to catch up and fired his 3rd don't do exactly what I say”. Scorpio. shot. It missed. Scorpio fired a rapid 3 shots at DH who returned with his 4th shot. Finally, Scorpio gave another 2 shots and ran out of the building towards a lake. He noticed there was a boy fishing. He grabbed him. DH and Scorpio had a stand-off. The story is coming to the climax. Scorpio stopped the bus by the roadside to make a call from the public phone booth. He said he had seven kids from Park Street Scorpio: You drop the gun! I'll blow his brains out. Drop the gun. School. He forced the bus driver, Marcella Platt, to identify herself so that the mayor office could double-check her real identity. He further described the route he would take to Santa Rosa Airport and warned DH had no choice. He slowly lowered the gun as if to drop it to have no police cars, helicopters or any authority following him. but quickly retracted it and fired. It hit Scorpio's shoulder. He let go The pilot would be advised of the destination once it took off. To all of the boy and ran towards the lake. He could not go any further. He that, the mayor gave his word of honour to fulfill all the requests. fell on the wooden platform with blood flowing down his left Once again, DH was offered to take the money to Scorpio but he shoulder and hand. DH approached him calmly with gun ready to declined. He was no longer interested to be a delivery boy. Unknown shoot. Scorpio managed to stand up and tried to reach for his gun to the mayor office, DH had come up with his own plan. which was merely inches away but changed his mind. DH repeated thing as grammar? No. They will only learn about it after his famous mantra: attending school.

DH: Uh-uh. I know what you're thinking, punk. You're thinking, 'Did he fire six shots Footnote: or only five?. Now, to tell you the truth, I forgot myself in all this excitement.

But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and I It is Final Examination time again. It started from 6 April and will last till 24 April 2014. The non-common papers are carried out on will blow your head clean off. You've gotta ask yourself a question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do you, punk? Sundays which involved polytechnics in Kelantan, Terengganu, Johor and Kedah. The process of preparing examination questions, answer

schemes, checking by language experts, internal and external panel members are long and vigorous. There is no other business as serious Scorpio felt insulted with the words. His face was red in as the examination process. We have guidelines, datelines, terms and anger. His instinct told him to take the chance. He instantaneously conditions to abide by. However, we must learn to take things in reached for his gun. However, he was a split second late. DH had stride. According to my old teacher, a student should stop his/her already pulled the trigger. It turned out, it was his 6th and final shot. study one day before examination. This is to give the mind a rest Finally, DH hurled his badge into the pond: 2211 - Inspector - S.F. before putting it to hard work on the examination day. Do you see it Police. happening? Of course, not. The students are seen mugging with their notes until the very last second before entering the examination hall.

Conclusion: The lecturers would have ‘exciting’ time to mark the answer scripts, twice a year. Those whose papers are done in the final days will have to work with overdrive. They are expected to do the job a) We have to accept the fact that the world is quite a professionally, without fear or favour as the examination is our dangerous place to live in but we have no other option. On yardstick to measure our students’ performance and scores. Thank you top of the challenges caused by nature; earthquake, for all your contributions and sacrifices. tsunami, hurricane and flood to a name few, we also have to cope with the bad-hats among us; bully, theft, robbery, forgery, assassin, extortions, cheats, etc. Therefore, we always need to be careful and be on guard at all times.

b) Why do you need to watch movies? They give you a lot of

lessons. They take you places you have never been to, they

give you some new ideas about many issues and help to past your free time as well. Of course, as for Dirty Harry, you learn that crime never pays. Never. c) How do you improve your language mastery, any language? One is by listening to the dialogue in films. If you have just started learning English Language, probably the subtitles

would help. Consider how small children acquire their mother tongue. They imitate their parents and siblings through listening and apply them in conversations. Initially, it may not be right but they learn to correct it along the way. Their vocabulary will increase with time. Do they study such