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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Mechanic aka Killer of Killers (the title was changed to boost business with people who might have mistaken the original title for a car chase movie) is surprisingly good and, unusually for Michael Winner, also surprisingly well directed. A one-time Cliff Robertson vehicle (which at least explains the pipe Charles Bronson smokes throughout the film) and a clear influence on the Wachowski Brothers later script for Assassins, it sees Charles Bronson as the mob's most assured and ingenious hitman for some reason taking on an apprentice, attracted perhaps by his sociopathic indifference to death. The first half of the film is so sharp that it's a shame the rest of the movie starts down a more conventional road, but the action is well-handled, with a couple of way above average stunts involving a crashing motorbike and, later on, a car pushed off a mountain road that is more comprehensively trashed on the way down than you've ever seen in a film before or since: this one doesn't need to go up in a fireball to convince it's occupant isn't walking away.
Unfortunately the sorcerer's pathological apprentice is played by terminally smug Jan Michael Vincent (the man who sued the paramedics who saved his life after a drunken crash for not managing to do so without damaging his vocal cords): ideal casting, perhaps, but he's definitely a below-par Dennis Quaid act as an actor who seems to think he's good looking enough not to have to at least try to act. Equally unfortunately it also features the inevitable Jill Ireland (the star's wife and director's former girlfriend: that must have made for some interesting conversations on the set), albeit only for one scene, and for once there's a rather clever and perfectly valid reason for her bad acting. It doesn't make her big scene any less painful to watch but at least it stops it from doing any real damage to the film. If at times it feels like a more ambitious film may have been lost in rewrites, there's still a pleasingly nasty ending and any film where the first 15 minutes are played without dialogue gets extra points in my book.
Unfortunately the sorcerer's pathological apprentice is played by terminally smug Jan Michael Vincent (the man who sued the paramedics who saved his life after a drunken crash for not managing to do so without damaging his vocal cords): ideal casting, perhaps, but he's definitely a below-par Dennis Quaid act as an actor who seems to think he's good looking enough not to have to at least try to act. Equally unfortunately it also features the inevitable Jill Ireland (the star's wife and director's former girlfriend: that must have made for some interesting conversations on the set), albeit only for one scene, and for once there's a rather clever and perfectly valid reason for her bad acting. It doesn't make her big scene any less painful to watch but at least it stops it from doing any real damage to the film. If at times it feels like a more ambitious film may have been lost in rewrites, there's still a pleasingly nasty ending and any film where the first 15 minutes are played without dialogue gets extra points in my book.
34 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Charles Bronson (1921-2003) left us a legacy that spanned nearly five decades of acting, in many different styles. Though good at comedy as well as drama, he will mostly be remembered as a tough and gritty man of action, remaining very macho and attractive way into his gnarled, craggy later years, never losing that perspicacious glint in his eyes, or his masculine appeal.
"The Mechanic" is one of his best; a unique film with a taut script by John Lewis Carlino, that remains interesting after many years and many viewings.
"The Mechanic" is one of his best; a unique film with a taut script by John Lewis Carlino, that remains interesting after many years and many viewings.
The first memorable 15 minutes of this film are silent except for the tense, eerie score by Jerry Fielding, and set up the character of Arthur Bishop, who is a hit man with expensive tastes and a heart of steel. It is a part that fits Bronson like a velvet glove, with its complexity, bravado, and action sequences, which are well paced by director Winner, and photographed by Richard Kline. Jan-Michael Vincent is excellent as the cocky, cold-as-ice young man Bishop takes on to teach his "trade", and Jill Ireland (who was married to Bronson for many years) does well in a miniscule part.
Michael Winner made several films with Bronson, another favorite being "Chato's Land", which is an unusual, and very special Western.
The intricacy of the plot will keep you guessing; this is not your typical, predictable action movie, and like most films made in the '70s, it is fun to watch, with its nifty fashions and slightly tacky décor.
A must see for those that like intelligent thrillers, and a great film to celebrate Charles Bronson's life and talent.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
this along with mr majestyk are my favourite bronson movies.here he plays an assassin and trains a young jan-michael vincent the art.dont want to say much as it will spoil the plot.but a great film and like its director"its a winner".
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Mechanic - Bronson at his coolest best as he `fixes' problems for...
You won't hear me say this very often, but this is a Michael Winner film that I enjoy, and I consider to be a bit of a classic. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Victor
Great noir drama
Michael Winner is not very popular these days. Some see him as a mediocre film maker. I would disagree with that: Winner has made some very good films and some which are not... Read more
Published 8 months ago by TKr
Charles Bronson Classic!
This is a great Charles Bronson movie. Don't expect to much from it, it isn't made to win the Oscars. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Kazin S.
Slow, ponderous and hard to watch
This is a good film to watch if you are a hard-core Bronson fan. Otherwise, be warned: its old, its slow and it really drags.
Published 14 months ago by N
charles bronson is the man
this movie is an old classic action movie about hit-men in the 70s, it is a bit dated but as soon as it was delivered , i ripped it open and watched it straight away grining from... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Brian G
silence is golden
Any film that can go 15 minutes without any dialogue and still maintain your attention 100% can not be all that bad. Read more
Published 18 months ago by voodoo childe
Clean. Fast. Professional. It says so on the box.
A bit dated around the edges (a film definitely made in 1972, not just set then) but nonetheless a well paced and entertaining romp. Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2010 by Stephen B. Peddie
The Mechanic/C.Bronson
Charles Bronson at his best, an assasin with a hundred ways to kill, each one tried and tested...taking on an apprentice is his downfall, double crossed there is only one outcome,... Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2009 by golfuniform
Stylish, chilling, thoughtful thriller. Dated but very enjoyable
You know you've returned to the 1970s when you watch The Mechanic but -- get over it -- the film itself is still great cinema. Read more
Published on 13 Oct 2009 by Rowena Hoseason
Tough and nasty.
Tale of a professional murderer, and about as tasteless as might be expected. This film provides several methods of disposing of undesirable citizens, a pair of whom - uh, well, I... Read more
Published on 23 May 2009 by John Barrett Rose
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