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Movies / Upcoming / Death Wish
Death Wish

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Death Wish (1974)

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68 %
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Reviews Counted:22

Fresh:15

Rotten:7

Average Rating:5.9/10

Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

US Box Office: $0

Synopsis: Charles Bronson stars in a genre-defining vigilante thriller that made him a household name. A fatal sexual assault on his wife and daughter leads mild-mannered architect Paul Kersey (Bronson) to... Charles Bronson stars in a genre-defining vigilante thriller that made him a household name. A fatal sexual assault on his wife and daughter leads mild-mannered architect Paul Kersey (Bronson) to rethink the justice system in his own terms when he discovers the police to be ineffectual, bureaucratic slackers. He then starts to single-handedly reduce New York's crime rate by murdering every thug, scumbag, and no goodnik he lays eyes on. The film, despite its use of graphic violence as entertainment, was hailed as a socially complex and engaging movie that shocked audiences across the country. Subsequently, Bronson filmed a long series of films as Kersey that were heavier on violence than substance. However, DEATH WISH is a classic American film whose themes and style have been imitated by filmmakers all over the world. [More]

Starring: Charles Bronson, Vincent Gardenia, William Redfield, Hope Lange

Starring: Charles Bronson, Vincent Gardenia, William Redfield, Hope Lange, Steven Keats, Stuart Margolin, Stephen Elliott, Kathleen Tolan, Jeff Goldblum, Christopher Guest, Jack Wallace, Fred Scollay

Director: Michael Winner

Director: Michael Winner
Screenwriter: Wendell Mayes
Producer: Hal Landers, Bobby Roberts, Michael Winner
Composer: Herbie Hancock

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Death Wish

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1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

The violence is excessive and the plot predictable, although there is some style to director Winner's approach.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
06/30/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Poisonous incitement to do-it-yourself law enforcement is the vulgar exploitation hook on which Death Wish is awkwardly hung.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment 1 Comment
03/01/07
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Nixonite gorge-riser

Full Review Source: CinePassion | comment Comment
09/06/09
Fernando F. Croce
Fernando F. Croce
CinePassion

Winner's recourse to caricature when dealing with police and thugs, and his virtually overt sympathies with the confused, violent Bronson, make for uncritical, simplistic viewing.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out

No review available.

comment Comment
07/29/05
Jake Euker
Jake Euker
F5 (Wichita, KS)

We know Bronson can be a tough guy, but not so much the mild-mannered guy; he seems to be trying to split the difference the whole time

Full Review Source: LYTRules.com | comment Comment
07/10/08
Luke Y. Thompson
Luke Y. Thompson
LYTRules.com

It's a despicable movie, one that raises complex questions in order to offer bigoted, frivolous, oversimplified answers.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment 1 Comment
05/09/05
Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The movie that sealed Bronson's reputation as a tough guy.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
10/01/03
Austin Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Somewhat enjoyable right-wing revenge flick.

comment 1 Comment
04/11/03
Alex Sandell
Alex Sandell
Juicy Cerebellum

A compulsively watchable bit of '70s nostalgia, a curious counterpart to Dirty Harry and an icon of New York-brand justice.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
02/25/06
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

No review available.

comment 1 Comment
04/06/08
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

No review available.

comment 1 Comment
06/30/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Even those who disagree with its knee-jerk vigilante ideology have a hard time denying its impact because the film digs deep and works on an almost subconscious level.

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
02/27/01
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

There's an undeniable thrill when Bronson blows away some sleazy mugger.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
03/27/09
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

Solid if morally suspect revenge thriller.

comment 1 Comment
07/19/04
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Sumptuously photographed and scored, the movie is an excellent capsule of ‘70s filmmaking -- thrilling, thought provoking and sending us off with a wink at the end.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
02/27/01
Kurt Dahlke
Kurt Dahlke
Apollo Guide

No review available.

comment 1 Comment
12/14/02
Nicolas Lacroix
Nicolas Lacroix
Showbizz.net

A minor classic that surpasses all expectations.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Oz
Oz
eFilmCritic.com

No review available.

comment 1 Comment
08/07/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Chilling revenge pic that retains every bit of its power to disturb.

comment 1 Comment
10/03/02
Rob Vaux
Rob Vaux
Flipside Movie Emporium
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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