Directed by:
Michael WinnerScreenplay:
Wendell MayesCinematography:
Arthur J. OrnitzComposer:
Herbie HancockCast:
Charles Bronson, Vincent Gardenia, William Redfield, Steven Keats, Stuart Margolin, Stephen Elliott, Jack Wallace, Kathleen Tolan, Edward Grover (more)Plots(1)
In this explosive story of revenge and urban violence, Charles Bronson plays Paul Kersey, a bleeding-heart liberal who has a change of opinion after his wide and daughter are violently attacked by a gang of thugs in their apartment. His daughter is raped, and his wife is raped and murdered. Bronson then turns vigilante as he stalks the mean streets of New York on the prowl for muggers, hoodlums and the like. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (3)
Hmmm, there's a problem with Charles Bronson - nobody can believe him playing a pacifist, so from the very beginning of the film you just wait to see when (and how) he's going to purge the streets of New York of criminal elements of all kinds. It should be noted that when this happens, Bronson does so honestly and effectively, but again - he behaves almost like a professional sharpshooter and there is nothing shocking about what he does. And that's a great pity. Maybe with a different, more "pacifist" actor it would have turned out differently or better. Maybe.
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An average American citizen takes bloody revenge in a mediocre story with mediocre direction and script, variations of which have been made with widely varying results to this day. The only thing that is above average is the attempt at psychology of the main character and the performance of Charles Bronson, who at the height of his career could be both tough and characterful. It's not bad for one viewing, and you do root for Bronson in his murderous exploits, but I'm naturally averse to films with similar themes, and I'll never really find a liking for them. 65%
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I don't really know Charles Bronson as an actor, or rather I don't have that much exposure to his films, but I have to say that he is definitely an interesting actor whose expression fits the concept of the original Death Wish. The entire film is sort of bland and emotionless, but it makes a powerful statement that perhaps unnecessarily had a few sequels.
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