Death Wish (1974)

Thanks for the memories!

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

I do remember watching "Death Wish" back in my childhood in the 1980s, and remembering that Charles Bronson seemed to be a cool guy in the movie. Then I got a chance to revisit the franchise many, many years later and of course I did sit down to watch the movies again.I have to honestly state that this is a very slow paced movie. "Death Wish" is based on a very good concept though, and it had lots of potential for taking the character Paul Kersey and evolve on him. And I said it had potential to do so, but it failed to do so.The blood in the "Death Wish" movie was painstakingly and obviously just brightly colored paint, as it looked so fake it would even make a blind person go "wait a minute!"It had a very predictable storyline, and you knew the outcome of the movie from the very beginning, which was a shame because director and writer Michael Winner didn't offer much to challenge the intellect of the audience.It was fun to see a young Jeff Goldblum as a hoodlum in this movie.Why this movie spawned a 2018 remake is beyond me, because it is adequate enough as it was.

To think that Ama$on is still charging $2.99 to view this mess is a laugh riot. One of the most cornball movies you will ever have the misfortune to see. Two of the three writers didn't even want their names displayed, and one was the director. Too much. And the music was by Herbie Hancock - are you kidding me? This is truly bad "jazz" as well as a truly bad soundtrack. But hey, it's your time and hopefully not your money, so, be my guest.

"Death Wish" was the film that made Charles Bronson into an overnight star and a box office draw. He had made several movies in Europe for a while and became a star over there. He had worked with the British director Michael Winner on three previous occasions and the films they made are great. The above film is their best collaboration. Released in 1974, "Death Wish" pulls no punches in depicting the efforts of Paul Kersey who kills off as many muggers and street punks as he can. These events have resulted after his wife is murdered and his daughter viciously attacked. The audience is truly on the side of Bronson as he takes the law into his own hands. New York is the ideal setting and location for this film. It works to the films advantage to be made in winter time. This adds to the gritty and harsh look of the film - shades of "The French Connection." Charles Bronson was never an actor in the usual sense of the word but his image is perfect for his role here. The supporting cast are excellent, look out for Jeff Goldblum in an early role as a mugger. The plot is fairly streamlined which is an advantage, as the film is kept on an even keel without any unnecessary subplots. The violence isn't particularly pleasant, especially at the beginning of the film. It is no wonder that the B.B.F.C refused to grant "Death Wish" a video certificate when all videos considered for release in the early 80s in Britain, had to be reclassified. As a result, "Death Wish" was exceptionally hard to obtain. Then in 2000, the film suddenly turned up on video, albeit in a censored form. Now on DVD, we have the uncensored version. There are some great action scenes along the way but "Death Wish" is more than that, it is making both political and social comments about vigilantes and law and order in general. The dialogue is certainly above average, considering the films content. It could have easily been the case of just producing cliché- ridden stuff but luckily, this doesn't happen. It is debatable whether Bronson is slightly unhinged in some way, as the vigilante. I would say it is more likely he is expressing the anger and injustice he feels after what has happened to his family and to his way of life. The sequels that followed are pretty good but the original is still my favourite. A classic film of 1970s American cinema and not to be missed.

I caught this late night on itv4 and it had a strange affect on me . I don't know why it just did anyway the film stars Charles Bronson as Paul kersey formally a new York based architect one afternoon discovers his daughter and wife have been sexually assaulted by three thugs lead by Jeff goldblum pre Jurassic park his wife dies from her subsequent injury's and his daughter enters a sanitary clinic . And i wont give away the rest of the plot but suffice it to say you'll be intrigued for the rest of the 1 hr. 35 minutes the film last anyway the film is compelling due to the action sequences especially the shootouts which are choreographed in meticulous detail the cinematography is exquisite which gives us a gloomy and dark depiction of what a dangerous city New York was like in the 70s the script is extremely amateurish and half baked like it was rushed completely neglecting characterization and thoughtfulness when trying to write some genuinely appealing characters such as Paul kersey played excellently by Bronson conveying a sense of uncertainty and remorse this is undoubtedly his best performance of his entire career check it out its a really thought provoking piece of social commentary in the 70s . Rated R for some strong violence and scene of sexual violence . Also don't watch the sequels which are exploitation garbage and nothing like this psychological provoking piece of film making .