Don Siegel (October 26, 1912 – April 20, 1991) was an American film director known for gritty, economical crime and thriller films such as Dirty Harry, Escape from Alcatraz, The Beguiled and Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

Reviews highlight Siegel's dry, no-frills direction, a cynical worldview, recurring themes of violence and justice, and frequent collaborations with Clint Eastwood. Praised for tight pacing, precise staging, and influential work in 1970s police cinema; notable collaborators mentioned include composer Lalo Schifrin and cinematographer Bruce Surtees.

DeBaser reviews praise Don Siegel's dry, economical direction and his influence on 1970s police cinema. Frequent themes are violence, cynicism, and lone protagonists (often played by Clint Eastwood). Standouts in the reviews: Dirty Harry, Escape from Alcatraz, The Beguiled and The Killers.

For:Fans of crime and noir cinema, students of 1970s American film, Clint Eastwood enthusiasts

 Without Callaghan, there would not have been the series of films with avenging inspectors, rendered impotent by a law that hinders those who want to do justice and who therefore go into business for themselves.

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 Escape from Alcatraz is a dry, measured film, completely devoid of frills (as in Siegel's style), yet rich and cinematically impeccable.

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 "Contract to Kill" is above all a frosty representation of the (im)poetic universe of its director, characterized by violence, deceit, and cruelty.

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