The lone score in the Dirty Harry series written by a composer other than
Lalo Schifrin,
The Enforcer enlists
Jerry Fielding, who eschews both
Schifrin's legacy "Harry's Theme" as well as the previous films' signature choral chanting in favor of funky, jazz-inspired themes very much in the spirit of the picture's 1976 theatrical release. Already skilled in the fine art of scoring violence and mayhem thanks to his work for filmmaker Sam Peckinpah,
Fielding delivers a live-wire score that perfectly complements the two-fisted justice doled out by star Clint Eastwood's urban avenger. Still, themes like "Finale (Elegy for Inspector Moore)" capture real emotion beneath the tough-guy veneer. The Aleph label's 2007 release heralds
The Enforcer's first-ever commercial release; the package includes liner notes by producer
Nick Redman as well as co-star
Tyne Daly. ~ Jason Ankeny