About Death Wish (1974)
Michael Winner directs the first of the infamous vigilante series. Mild-mannered New York architect Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) takes the law into his own hands after his wife is murdered and his daughter raped by a gang of thugs. Kersey now stalks the streets, determined to bring his wife’s killers to justice and eradicate all criminal lowlife. Jeff Goldblum makes his big screen debut as one of the unfortunate muggers.
Starring: Charles Bronson
Directed by: Michael Winner
Runtime: 93 minutes
Studio: Paramount
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Review: Death Wish (1974)
Last time out I reviewed Harry Brown (2009) which included a spot of vigilantism and today I’ve located the first installment of a series I’ve never seen, also about vigilantism, and starring Charles Bronson – the Death Wish films. I’ve heard the basic premise to these films in the past but why I’ve not seen them until now I’m not really sure.
The film follows the story of Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) who is an architect in New York. One day his wife Joanna (Hope Lange) and daughter Carol Anne (Kathleen Tolan) are attacked in their home with Carol being raped by three hooligans while Joanna is brutally beaten. With the savage streets dealing him such crushing blows, Paul heads down a road of vigilantism, not against the three hooligans that attacked his family but against all criminals that plague the streets of New York City.
Paul Kersey is a peaceful and loving family man at the outset of the film but the attack against his family changes that. Having the misfortune of being in a supermarket at the wrong time, Joanna and Carol are followed home by a group of hooligans led by a young Jeff Goldblum who burst into the apartment intent on stealing what money they can. They find only a few dollars so beat Joanna before stripping and raping Carol. When Joanna tries to crawl to the telephone she is beaten into unconsciousness at which point the men flee. Carol rings the emergency services but by the time Paul gets to the hospital he learns his wife has died from her injuries, while his daughter is understandably traumatised by her experience, and lies in a bed blankly staring straight ahead.
With the police unable to do anything, Paul is left devastated. Through work he is given a business vacation in Arizona where he witnesses mock gunfights on a movie set in the style of the Old West. It’s in Arizona that we learn Paul was in the Korean War as a medic and in his youth he learned to fire a gun with great accuracy, only relinquishing his love of firearms when his father was killed in a hunting accident. Paul’s business contact in Arizona, Ames Jainchill (Stuart Margolin) is so impressed with Paul’s work he gives him a gun as a gift. On returning to New York, Paul keeps the gun in his jacket when he walks the streets and one night he panics when attacked by a mugger and kills the criminal. Seemingly disgusted at his actions, Paul is soon back on the streets, rescuing a defenceless man in an alley who has been set upon by three thugs. All of a sudden Paul is taking to the streets every night, gun in tow and targeting any criminals he can find, delivering his own kind of justice. However, pleased as the law are to be rid of so many criminals, they now have a new one to deal with in the form of this crusading vigilante. The police have opposition in the form of the public who are fully behind the unknown vigilante that is making the streets safer. Just how long can Paul keep his crusade going before the police catch up with him?
This was a popular film when it was first released and it’s not difficult to see why. The streets are not safe at night and the idea of being able to defend yourself as Paul does is appealing. I always question UK law where it’s possible for burglars to take you to court if you assault them! At least with Death Wish, it is satisfying watching criminals get their comeuppance. The film has aged somewhat but its message is still relevant today. Bronson makes for a good hero, still somewhat weak until he is standing behind an armed gun. The only downside is the film is crying out for a spot of vengeance for the opening crime against Paul’s family but sadly we never get it! Tainted by what I understand are vastly inferior sequels, Death Wish still offers a refreshing notion of citizens having the strength and courage to fight back.
Death Wish is a decent revenge film with a commendable lead in Bronson. This isn’t his best film by a long shot but his journey from architect and family man to crusading vigilante is worth following. Criticised for its glorification of vigilantism, audiences decided for themselves and liked what they saw. Satisfying rather than brilliant, I’d still give this is a try.
Verdict: 3/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
Film Review: Death Wish | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
