Cheap Hard Times (DVD) (Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Jill Ireland) (Walter Hill) Price

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Best Bronson in Hard Times
"Hard Times" stars Charles Bronson as Chaney a down and out bare knuckle boxer trying to get by in the middle of the depression. James Coburn as Speed is the quick talking not entirely trustworthy promoter who represents Chaney in fights through out the South and Midwest. "Hard Times" is the directorial debut of Walter Hill who shows off a certain realism that would become his trademark in future works. Still, it is Bronson who is the center of this film. Perfectly cast as the aged fighter this is perhaps Bronson at his absolute best. Bronson displays a subtle complexity that is particularly effective in the love affair with Lucy played by real life wife Jill Ireland. Bronson, who was about 54 at the time of filming, is remarkably fit and completely believable even when the odds are stacked against him. The story is taught and directed in a crisp fashion by Hill. The cast is good as an ensemble lifting this underrated feature to the level of very good. Yet, it is Bronson and that one of a kind face that makes "Hard Times" a true classic of the genre.

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Walter Hill's ode to Depression era street fighting....
Tough guy Charles Bronson often copped plenty of criticism over his selection of roles and his alleged one dimensional character range. True, a lot of Charlie's choices were "shoot em 'up" avenger / crime films that ended up on video shelves fairly quickly, but Bronson was a key figure in the 1970's action genre and will be remembered for some stand out "strong, silent type" roles. "Hard Times" is generally regarded as Charles Bronson's best film role and is director Walter Hill's first feature film. Set in the Depression era in and around New Orleans, Bronson portrays the quiet , but toughened drifter Chaney, seeking to make ends meet through the prowess of his fists. After drifting into town aboard a freight train, Bronson hears a commotion emanating from a near by warehouse, Bronson then witnesses a bare knuckle bout and first meets James Coburn as the smooth talking, street wise, but addicted gambler, Speed. Bronson offers his services, to which Coburn replies "You look a little past it...", Charlie proves his worth with a one punch knockout of an opponent and the two partner up and set about winning a few dollars taking on local fighters and hoods. Coburn enlists the services of Strother Martin, who gives another wonderful character performance as the narcotic loving, disgraced medicine man Poe. The chemistry between the three is excellent, and remarkably Bronson's laid back persona is in stark contrast to the highly animated Coburn, but they work together like bread goes with butter !

And as was so often the case, Charlie found a suitable role in "Hard Times" for his then wife Jill Ireland, as his love interest, Lucy

Watching the film, it's hard to believe that Bronson was 54 years old when he commenced filming...Bronson's younger years saw his physique shown off in several movies, and he was still in good enough condition to still get his shirt off and flex his muscles for "Hard Times". I recollect reading two interesting descriptions about Bronson...one said "he looks like a Clark Cable that has been left out in the sun too long", and the other likened him to a bonsai tree "gnarled, twisted and rooted to the one spot" !!

Hill directs the movie with an economic style and effectively captures the hardship, struggle and cheapness of life in the Depression era...and an earthy jazz soundtrack compliments the lean feel of the film.

Plus, let's not forget the gritty fight scene choreography...and Chaney's formidable opponents. Notably the bald, grinning tattoed Jim Henry played by regular on screen bad guy, Robert Tessier...and real life stuntman cum actor Nick Dimitri as the malevolent, well dressed fighter, Street.

( Look out for : The scene early in the film at which time Coburn is sitting on his balcony reading the newspaper race guide, and you can clearly see his shirt cuffs, but as the door bell rings and Coburn leaps to his feet, he is suddenly only wearing a singlet, and then reaches for his shirt to put it on !! )

A very enjoyable movie and a worthy addition to your DVD library.

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Classic Bare Knuckle Action in the Big Easy
This movie is a classic tribute to the subject of "prize fighting". Released in 1975 and directed by Walter Hill, it centers around a 1930's depression drifter named Chaney (Bronson). Chaney is the consummate drifter ---- indifferent and reluctant to commit. However, he ends up in New Orleans and stumbles upon the local subculture of bare knuckle fighting. He then convinces a local hustler by the name of Speed Weed (Coburn) to let him be his next "hitter". Chaney's silent, strong presence brilliantly complements Speed's enormously extroverted style ---- Chaney is the soft-spoken, rugged fighter and Speed is the colorful, manager promoter. However, Chaney's reluctance to commit proves to be a reoccurring test for Speed Weed. Even with his girlfriend Lucy, played by Bronson's wife Jill Ireland, Chaney is emotionally detached and shows an easy comes, easy goes attitude.

Chaney wins a few tough illegal fights bare-fisted but Speed falls victim to his own careless wheeling and dealing and is unable to pay his debt to a gang of thugs. As a result, Chaney is forced to fight one last fight with Street ---- a big bear of a man played by Nick Dimitri. This is a climatic event in the movie with both fighters waging one of the most gripping fight scenes this side of Hong Kong. Even better ---- the fight scenes are choreographed the old-fashioned way without relying on special effects

Strother Martin provides a great supporting role as the languid and shady character known as Poe ---- he provides medical advice despite an opium addiction and his failure to finish medical school. Martin also played the prison warden in the movie, "Cool Hand Luke".

Also notable is veteran tough-man actor, Robert Tessier, who plays John Henry ---- the bald grinning tattooed anathema managed and promoted by Speed's rival, Chic Gandil ---- convincingly played by Michael McGuire.

Bronson's physique and muscular definition rivals that of any actor that I've seen portraying similar roles in movies --- even Stallone when he played Rocky. And Bronson was in his 50s'---- incredible!

Also, impressive is the cinematography ---- scenes of New Orleans boat docks, warehouse district, cemetery and French Quarter set the mood for New Orleans during the 1930's depression. Walter Hill, as always, does a good job providing visual and aural (music) elements to the movie that emphasize the culture that surrounds the characters and events.

The fights don't take place in the traditional sense --- gloved combat performed legally within the ring. Fights are illegal bare-fisted slugfests arranged on boat docks and in warehouses among crowds of gambling onlookers. You'll see plenty of the old-fashioned fist fighting techniques reminiscent of old Saturday afternoon action movies. Notice Bronson tends to fight with his arms close to his waist as if he was preparing to do a series of bicep curls ---- classic all the way.

I consider Hard Times to be a true classic. It is certainly one of the greatest films of its genre.