Death Wish

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Cast & Crew

Charles Bronson
Paul Kersey

Hope Lange
Joanna Kersey

Vincent Gardenia
Frank Ochoa

Steven Keats
Jack Toby

William Redfield
Sam Kreutzer

Stuart Margolin
Aimes Jainchill

Stephen Elliott
Police Commissioner

Kathleen Tolan
Carol Toby

Jack Wallace
Hank

Fred Scollay
District Attorney

Michael Winner
Director

Hal Landers
Producer

Bobby Roberts
Producer

Michael Winner
Producer

Wendell Mayes
Screenwriter

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Critic Reviews for Death Wish

Audience Reviews for Death Wish

• Mar 25, 2015

  How would you respond to ever-present crime, especially when it becomes personal? That's the central question in this film, a controversial crime film centered on vigilantism in the early 1970s. This is a stylish 1970s message picture, not unlike Dirty Harry just a few years prior. Charles Bronson's middle-aged businessman, liberal, and prior conscientious objector character must answer that question. Do you remain "civilized" (a term used throughout) or do you stand and fight? Bronson's Paul Kersey takes a cue from a business acquaintance in Tucson, and starts looking for justice. Not content to look for the criminals who destroyed his family, he actively seeks out muggers and kills them. This film was controversial; is it really propaganda for vigilantism? I really don't see Bronson in that vein. He does seem satisfied although conflicted at first. Also, the home invasion/rape scene is not for the timid; it must have been shocking in 1974. I recommend this, although it is dated and I like Dirty Harry more. In the same vein, Tom Clancy's Without Remorse would make a great movie; I wonder why that hasn't been made? Look for Christopher Guest, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, and Jeff Goldblum. Also, Vincent Gardenia shines as Det. Frank Ochoa, probably the most believable character in the film.
  Clintus M Super Reviewer
• Jun 26, 2013

  I find it fascinating how this created controversy in both the USA and the UK for very different reasons. A certain scene of sexual violence was considered too extreme and endorsing (according to the BBFC). Whereas the film sparked controversy over in America for being propaganda for vigilantism. However, these don't stop Death Wish from being a powerful and interesting story about how one man's perception on the world changes and how he reacts to it. Charles Bronson does give an impressive performance in which you can understand and sympathise with his character of Paul Kersey. It may not look the most appealing of films, but it's strong, intense and you (sometimes) agree with how Kersey handles certain situations.
  Samuel R Super Reviewer
• Oct 06, 2012

  A very weak script standing on very weak performances. Death Wish starts out like your typical revenge flick with the protagonist's (Charles Bronson) family being slaughtered and he soon follows on a rampage to track down the killers and avenge his family. This is not the case with Death Wish. Charles Bronson receives a pistol and murders mugger after mugger. He just happens to be robbed several times within such a short period of time. He doesn't track down his wife's killer or anything logical like that, but instead takes it out on every other person. It's just not a realistic film, even in the slightest sense and the acting is sub-par. When Charles Bronson was told his wife had died, he barely reacted. Death Wish is an easily forgettable attempt at "revenge," especially when so many have done it much bigger and much better.
  

  Kevin M Super Reviewer
• Dec 17, 2011

  Paul Kersey: Nothing to do but cut and run, huh? What else? What about the old American social custom of self-defense? If the police don't defend us, maybe we ought to do it ourselves.  "Vigilante, city style -- Judge, Jury, and Executioner" What a beautiful portrait of New York Death Wish paints. Basically it is telling the viewer that if you walk on the street you will get mugged. One man is mugged like six times in the movie. A little excessive, but it makes its point; even if it is a stupid one. Carry a gun and shoot the muggers, vigilantism 101 I guess. The movie has a very exploitative and brutal nature. The makers also show that cops mean nothing. They won't find criminals, so go out and get a gun and kill anyone that fucks with you. Why, what a beautiful world that would be. Yeah, so by now you can see that I agree with absolutely nothing this movie is saying; from the gun rights issue to the vigilante justice. I may not agree with it, but I actually did like the movie to a certain extent. An architects wife is murdered and his daughter is raped by muggers. The once peaceful man takes it upon himself to kill any mugger he comes across. New York is taken by storm, as muggings go down and the cops must decide if this vigilante is worth arresting anyway. He is basically doing their job for them, which leaves them with much more time to do the things cops really like too do, like eat donuts.  The character lives by the motto of "Fight fire with fire." He is fighting violence by being just as violent. Whatever your stance on that is will tell you how much you will like the movie. In my case though, I didn't think I would like it at all because of this, but I actually enjoyed Charles Bronson as architect turned vigilante.  The movie clearly sets up its sequel when the character leaves New York and moves to the less crime filled Chicago. I don't see myself watching all the sequels to this movie, as this was nothing more than average. But from Chicago, it would only make sense to move on to Detroit and then maybe Boston. You might as well clean up every criminal heavy city.
  Melvin W Super Reviewer

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