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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
When Times Are Hard... Fight!, 21 Jul 2005
Having seen many Charles Bronson movies i can say that 'Hard Times' is definately one of if not the best pictures he has ever done. After several other good films the year before in 1974 including 'Death Wish', he then went on to star in this film, originally called 'The Streetfighter' in the UK, about life on the streets as a bare knuckle fighter during the great depression in America in the 1930's.When street fighter Chaney arrives in New Orleans he teams up with gambler, Speed in hope of making some big money. The more Chaney fights, the more Speed realises that he has finally got a winner, and a chance at some real money. Eventually after the pair have gathered enough money to gamble with to fight the best in town, owned by "one of the big 'money-belts' in town", Chick. The outcomes leaves an angry Chick no longer with the best street fighter in town. He gets in the best man he can find, a tough man from Calafornia and to ensure that Chaney fights he kidnaps Speed and threatens to beat him up if Chaney doesn't show up. Bronson really is just absolutely perfect for the role of Chaney with the muscles and the right look for a man who has not had it easy or born with a silver spoon in his mouth like his character Chaney. James Coburn is also perfect for his role as the wheeling-dealing Speed and Strother Martin as the Opium addicted cutman Poe. Jill Ireland who was Bronson's wife at the time of the film plays his 'sort of' girlfriend in the film. Chick is played by Michael McGuire and Street is played by Nick Dimitri, both of which are also great in their roles, bringing the characters to life. Overall, 'Hard Times' really is a great film, not only for the exciting fight scenes throughout, but in detailing what life was like during the depression as very few people could get jobs and so for those that could fight, this was the easiest way to make some money. Unfortunately the only extras on the DVD are a trailer and selected filmographies, but it worth buying just for the film. If you are a fan of Charles Bronson, fighting films in general, or simply want some good quality entertainment then i would highly recommend this film and i'm sure that it will become a valuble piece to your collection.
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