What Makes Charles Bronson So Tough?
This week AMC is showing the complete Death Wish series, five films starring Charles Bronson as a one-man killing machine. It all started with the original Death Wish in 1974, a time when crime rates were up and audiences were ready to cheer for anyone willing to take a stand. But Bronson's character is hardly Hollywood's lone vigilante. (Check out our slideshow of big screen characters with a taste for revenge.)
As an intro to this week-long Bronson series, we've interviewed Zac Marshall, one of the creators of the new webcomic Tough Guys, to weigh in on Bronson and the Death Wish movies.
What makes Bronson a tough guy of note?
Charles Bronson has got to be the most hard-bitten, leathery, stone-cold, SOB that ever graced a frame of film. He started mining coal at age 16, he flew 25 missions as tail gunner in a B-29 bomber and received a purple heart. All this before he created his celebrated tough persona throughout his career.
How does he compare with the other tough guys?
Charles Bronson is the tough guy of the people. He's more grounded than Steve McQueen, not as extreme as Lee Marvin and more blue collar than Eastwood. He's solid and dependable. Some people would call Charles Bronson a poor man's Clint Eastwood. I think that's nonsense. On average the five Death Wish films are just as good, if not better than, the five Dirty Harry films.
What is your favorite movie in the Death Wish series?
Choosing your favorite film of the series is like choosing your favorite child. They're all special in their own way. Death Wish is more serious and tragic, Death Wish 2 is more focused and revenge oriented and Death Wish 3 is an action packed, live action cartoon. Death Wish 4 brings a more complicated plot to the series and Death Wish 5 is notable for its darker tone and Bronson kicking ass even at his advanced age.
Your favorite moment in the first Death Wish film?
...watching Paul Kersey test his new weapon comprised of a sock filled with quarters in his apartment. Also it has one of the greatest closing shots of all time: Bronson smiling and pointing a finger pistol at the camera.
Check it out for yourself when Death Wish airs tonight, Monday January 14 at 8 p.m. | 7C.
You don't mess with Bronson
I really appreciate A.M.C. the junck on regular tv sucks. Could A,M.C. possibly dig up an old Walter Brennen movie titled"Voice of Bugle Ann" ? I only saw the movie one time when I was about fourteen,i,m going on sixty now.Please let me know if this request is possible,and when it will be played.
Thanks
how about ma and pa kettle in prime time, that would show people what crap tv has on now
oh, and "breakheart pass" i think. one of the most underated br, movies ever. and see if you can get raquel welch to introduce the movies, still looks good in old age, might have a week of her stuff.
My favorite Bronson film is..."The Mechanic" from the 70's. He had class. Real class to match his very bad _ss! He, also, was the ultimate in preparation that was much needed for his job. The last 30 seconds of the film was perfect. I was a theater manager at the time and as customers began leaving the theater when they assumed the predictable ending I instructed the ushers to coax those customers to stay just a few more seconds as they walked up the aisles to leave. I couldn't let them miss the culmination of "The Mechanic's" foresight. If you haven't watched it after 30 or so years spend a buck and rent it. You'll probably enjoy it. By the way, I always wanted a house like his in that film ever since I saw it. Cool in any era.
He's dead right?
I HAVE HAD IT WITH AMC. THE INCOMPETENTS WHO RUN THIS STATION HAVE DECIDED IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO LEAVE THE VIOLATOR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN FOR THE breaking bad show. STOP IT! IT SUCKS. BOYCOTT AMC IF THEY CONTINUE THIS. COMPLAIN TO CORPORATE OFFICES ABOUT THIS INTRUSION. IT IS ON THE SCREEN THE ENTIRE SHOW. THIS IS WRONG. PATHETIC AND DESPERATE WAY TO ADVERTISE.
Charles Bronson died in 2003.
all of the death wish movies are great. but my favorite would have to be a tie between the first two.
now 3 is great, i like 4 a lot, and 5 is a Guilty Pleasure. but the first two are the best to me.
rock on Bronson!!!!!
How can they leave out Robert DeNiro as Travis Bickle in "Taxi Driver" in the top 10 vigilantes? Granted, they ten they have are good, but to exclude him just seems wrong.
Top ten vigillantes, and Michael Caine is nowhere on the list?
"Get Carter?!?!" What gives?
On the vigilantes, they left out Robert Ginty as John Eastland, "The Exterminator" in movie of same name (The Exterminator). Awesome revenge tactics and definitely memorable as one of the ultimate vigilantes and if the script had fleshed out the characters a little more, this one would be still remembered right up there with the Death Wish and Dirty Harry movies. Look the movie up at imdb.com and if you can rent it, netflix it, or download it online, its worth a watch, especially if you liked any of the 10 listed vigalante movies/characters.