Death Wish

Charles Bronson plays the role of the original vigilante, Mr. Paul Kearsey. There are many films of the 70's that tried in vain to have depth, but the social commentary that Death Wish delivers in urban violence is very thought provoking. The movie delivers in thrills and drama while Mr. Kearsey attempts to settle a score against the scum of the streets. Viewing this film only makes me realize how mush I miss Charles Bronson and how wonderful of an actor he was.

Can't deny that "Death Wish" is a cultural icon, but blast me if i don't know why. Maybe it's not that it responded to the high crime rates of the mid 70s in an effective way, but that the crime rates were high in the 70s because society was going thru such a stupid period that movies like "Death Wish" became box office successes. Bad acting, cliched writing, slow pacing, mindless story. i dont feel like writing about it anymore. it doesn't merit more thought.

I will get To the point i have been to the middle (god forbid ) East , Far East (not bad ,fine babes ) Europe not bad ,and the Good Ole U.S.A. where i served Uncle Sam as an enlisted and Officer for over 21 yrs. Small Towns 48,000 now are are out of control !! i was born and bred in the Northeast and for about 2 yrs. a southern state ,the South is now worse than the North...i have even with 5 different diseases,work with many different folks in law enforcement ,do we need Paul Kersey ,Yes and No,but you need me!! because i will also stop crime in my way as well ;BUT make no mistake ,this country, The U.S.A. is headed for BIG trouble,i do not fault video games,play em myself,but i do fault punk parents,Gangsta Rap ,and 2 much freedom of speech...i spent the 70's 80's,90,s in Korea ,Japan ,Hong Kong, And the most tame : South Korea is also (copying us) with Hip Hop ,Crime,etc....Brace Yourself cuz we are in for a rough ride.........

[...] I guess nobody told him that you are supposed to let the system handle criminals and hand out punishments. This movie is about a man who sees his wife and daughter victimized by street thugs. His wife is killed and his daughter is mentally damaged by the event. The police don't seem to provide any assistance so he takes the law into his own hands. Eventually the police catch on to his secret operations against street criminals, but they don't arrest him, they simply advise him to move away. This is where the Death Wish sequels pick up. Great movie with a great icon.

Deathj wish DVD

When we first meet Paul Kersey, he is in all respects a gentle man. A successful architect who is happily married (Joanna, Hope Lange) and a proud father of his beloved daughter, he is carefully positioned as a law-abiding citizen. To repeat, a gentle man. Over time, after his wife and daughter are brutally attacked by thugs who escape punishment, Kersey commits himself to ridding the city of such creatures. In fact, he seeks them out in the most likely areas (e.g. public parks and on subways), coldly and systematically killing as many as he can. Of course, other law abiding citizens are wholly supportive of his efforts but law enforcement officials correctly fear the possible implications of such vigilantism. Paul goes to Tucson to help a developer with a new development. The Developer is so appreciative he gives Paul a little going-away present, what looks like a .32 caliber revolver. Who gives someone a .32 a sissy hand gun? Wouldn't a .45 Long Colt have been better?
Director Michael Winner does a brilliant job of orchestrating Kersey's crusade with efforts by detective Frank Ochoa (Vincent Gardenia) to identify and then capture the public hero. Ochoa seems torn between admiration of such heroism and obligations to end it. Many of those who live in areas plagued by violent crime admire this movie. Others quite properly have concerns about anyone who "goes outside the law," as Kersey obviously does. Who among vigilantes will be Paul Kerseys? Most in the audience in the theatres stand and clapped when Paul shoots the first mugger, Then Paul goes a trolling for muggers. Quite a popular film in it's day.

Highly recommended for fans of Charles Bronson, the Death Wish series, justice for the little man. It was around this same time that Tom Clancy wrote Without Remorse, a similar themed book.

Gunner January 2008