Hard Times (1975)
Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Jill Ireland
Walter Hill's colorful directorial debut has quite a cult following for its toughness and violence; it may well be his best film, in fact. Charles Bronson plays a silent street fighter in New Orleans in the '30s managed by the cool James Coburn. Jill Ireland, Strother Martin, and Michael McGuire ... (read more) Walter Hill's colorful directorial debut has quite a cult following for its toughness and violence; it may well be his best film, in fact. Charles Bronson plays a silent street fighter in New Orleans in the '30s managed by the cool James Coburn. Jill Ireland, Strother Martin, and Michael McGuire costar in this spare existential Depression dirge. It owes a lot to its noir origins that Hill adores so much, yet there's something very fresh and vital about its subject and approach. That's really what made so many of these films from the '70s so endearing. An added bonus is the love and affection displayed by the real-life husband and wife team of Bronson and Ireland. --Bill Desowitz
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PG, 94 min.
Directed by:
Walter Hill
Release Date: Jan 01, 1975
DVD Release Date: May 22, 2001
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Walter Hills Regiedebüt überzeugt durch eine auffällig entspannte und, im Geiste von New Hollywood, sensible Erzählweise. Das scheint durchaus an Peckinpah geschult, dessen Meisterwerk THE GETAWAY Hill ja schrieb, ist in seinem Stil aber grundsä... (read more) Walter Hills Regiedebüt überzeugt durch eine auffällig entspannte und, im Geiste von New Hollywood, sensible Erzählweise. Das scheint durchaus an Peckinpah geschult, dessen Meisterwerk THE GETAWAY Hill ja schrieb, ist in seinem Stil aber grundsätzlich ökonomischer, weniger ausschweifend und romantizistisch. Charles Bronson liefert überdies eine der besten Leistungen seiner Karriere ab. Ein wirklich überraschend schöner Film.
Enjoyable period fighting drama, Bronson is good doing his strong silent thing in what is definately one of his best films in which he was given the starring role. Coburn who i always find a joy to watch brings his usual charm and charisma to his cha... (read more) Enjoyable period fighting drama, Bronson is good doing his strong silent thing in what is definately one of his best films in which he was given the starring role. Coburn who i always find a joy to watch brings his usual charm and charisma to his character speed and there is strong support from Character actor Strother Martin. The depression era period is recreated superbly and the film is slickly directed by Walter Hill who really deserves alot of credit Hard Times being his debut in the director's chair.
Overall a simple yet very entertaining and well made man's man type of film.
The role Bronson was born to play. Subtle, understated, sublime.
The fight scenes are brutal (and realistic), but not as tough as Bronson's sparring with Jill Ireland and his fight to find companionship and decency in the titular hard times.
A... (read more) The role Bronson was born to play. Subtle, understated, sublime.
The fight scenes are brutal (and realistic), but not as tough as Bronson's sparring with Jill Ireland and his fight to find companionship and decency in the titular hard times.
And if I'm in Bronson's shape at 54, I won't complain.
Simple and solid tough guy movie, with Bronson proving once again why he is an icon.
I love this film. Bronson's best, in my opinion. Carved from granite, he is just perfect for this role. Very, very believable. Good fight scenes too, apart from the first one (which hasn't got Charlie in it anyway!). Quite sad, especially at the end.... (read more) I love this film. Bronson's best, in my opinion. Carved from granite, he is just perfect for this role. Very, very believable. Good fight scenes too, apart from the first one (which hasn't got Charlie in it anyway!). Quite sad, especially at the end. Reminiscent of a western in many ways, and it has a lovely sense of period. Some of its storyline was 'pinched' and used in Every Which Way But Loose, the part where they are ripped off and they go back and get their money? Identical - but Charlie is SO much better. I love Clint, but he ain't no fist-fighter. Charlie was, and was one of the best! God bless him.
Bronson's low key approach mixes perfectly with Coburn's slick performance. If you're a fan of "Every Which Way.." and "Fight Club, you'll love this one...
Bronson is so fucking hard in this it isn't funny. if you feel like smashing up a few chavs, stick this on before you pop out. You'll be done with them before the kettle's boiled. Then you can watch the Dirty Dozen. See I am useful to you.
Before Red Belt, Unleashed and Lionheart there was Bronson and he could kick all their asses.
2009 Movies: 7
Entretenida historia ambientada en los tiempos de la gran depresion. Un correcto debut de Walter Hill, que borda el relato de manera melancolica y triste, basandose en un guion de pocas luces pero que se nutre de su impecable forma de rodar y el tale... (read more) Entretenida historia ambientada en los tiempos de la gran depresion. Un correcto debut de Walter Hill, que borda el relato de manera melancolica y triste, basandose en un guion de pocas luces pero que se nutre de su impecable forma de rodar y el talento de dos actores muy carismaticos. Para nada una de accion del monton, pese a que las escenas de pelea estan excelentemente hechas. Muy bien.
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