Soundtrack Review: Jerry Fielding – ‘The Enforcer’

By Jeff Swindoll May 25, 2007, 16:01 GMT

If you’re a fan of Fielding, “Dirty” Harry,” or the particular film then you’ll definitely want to pick up the CD. Those that also appreciate ‘70s cinema may also want to give it a listen.

Jerry Fielding had three Academy Award nominations under his belt for the scores for The Wild Bunch, Straw Dogs, and The Outlaw Josey Wales.  Since Fielding was known for scoring for action packed, masculine features it was no surprise that he scored the third “Dirty” Harry picture, The Enforcer (1976). 

Harry Callahan returns as the “People’s Revolutionary Strike Force” is blackmailing the city of San Francisco for two million dollars.  Not only is “Dirty” Harry back but this time he’s got a new partner in the form of Inspector Kate Moore (Tyne Daly), a detective who’s relatively inexperienced in the field having worked in personnel for years. 

You can imagine what Harry thinks of his new partner, but events lead him to respect her and they both storm the group’s hideout on Alcatraz Island with fatal results for one of them.  Fielding scores the film with a jazzy sound, but the music has a definite ‘70s feel to my untrained ear (not that there’s anything wrong with that). 

The ‘Finale’ features an elegy for the party that doesn’t make it off Alcatraz and there’s also an alternative version of this track as a bonus on the disc.  Perhaps the most interesting track is ‘Tiffany’s Number Eleven’ that features a jazzy rendition of ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus.’ 

The track notes feature comments from actress Tyne Daly as well as well as writer/director/documentarian Nick Redman.  If you’re a fan of Fielding, “Dirty” Harry,” or the particular film then you’ll definitely want to pick up the CD.  Those that also appreciate ‘70s cinema may also want to give it a listen. 

I bet you’re saying to yourself “should I buy this CD?”  Well punk, go ahead and buy it, make my day. 

‘The Enforcer’ is now available for pre-order at Amazon for a June 26th release. Visit the soundtrack database for more information.