So did I - it was an early review when I first started doing this: th-cam.com/video/dM_1MQWC1zo/w-d-xo.html Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, Maureen. Appreciated. T.
I usually found him good fun and enjoyed that he seemingly didn't care what anyone else thought and just did what he wanted to do. For a time, anyway. Thanks, Russell.
Winner wasn't remotely pretentious about film making or much else. He attended Oxford but famously hung his certificate in his toilet. If you want to spend your time chin-stroking to arty-farty visuals try Tarkovsky or Nolan, if you want an entertaining but brutal action film try Winner.
In my opinion Michael Winner did make some great films. He did some auteur qualities mainly from his editing qualities e.g. Arnold Crust. His high peak was Death Wish. Even though I did like The Sentinel. Death Wish II is Marmite but I feel Jimmy Page score is underrated. The Wicked Lady is fun and Dirty Weekend is a mix bag. Parting Shot aka Farting Shots doesn't work mainly Chris Rea hasn't got comedy timing except Oliver Reed. Overall I feel Michael Winner was an easy target with critics but he didn't give two hoots. Even some of his weaker films have got a charm.
Thanks! I watched this one yesterday because of your review. In this era, I’m always on the lookout for gritty crime flicks in the mode of my favorites Charley Varrick, Dirty Harry, etc. Cheers!
I love The Mechanic and Death Wish, don't know how I missed this one. I'll give this one a watch, for sure. Thanks for the heads up Tony, as well as another fine review.
@@AbrasiousProductions Very polite of you, Camoren. Assuming you're a youngster, I really envy you watching all the great films of the past for the first time - there are SO many classics. Good luck with the film making ambition. It's REALLY tough making it in that biz, but many do.
Great stuff Tony. Cheers. I haven't seen this film in yonks. North American Cop language of this era often mentioned Hookers. Are there any Hookers in this one? I am disappointed to say that I have never seen a Hooker make an appearance in any of these films.
My fave Winner's are Scorpio with Alain Delon and Burt Lancaster - pretty good paranoid spy thriller which would make a great double feature with Don Siegel's Telefon - starring Bronson, so there you go. The other one is Firepower with James Coburn, Sophia Loren and OJ Simpson (!!!??). Its a Mission Impossible-type action film and Coburn is having the time of his life, smmmooottthe as silk.
Oh man, I'd love to hear your thoughts on Dirty Weekend. A 70s exploitation Michael Winner film transplanted into the 90s where it's just campy and pervy as fuck. Dreadful, but unintentionally(?) hilarious, it became a bit of a weird cult film (in my shared house at Uni anyway)-!
Dirty Weekend has yet to be remastered as a Blu Ray - which comes as something of a surprise in a way, considering all the other stuff that has. However, I do have a DVD copy and at some point in the future will get around to doing it. Can't say when, though. Thanks for commenting, John. Appreciated. T.
That's true, but honestly, as a Patron on Patreon you don't owe me anything. Still, it is very kind of you and don't think I'm not grateful. I've taken to scheduling completed reviews for YT in advance. Licence To Kill - Rogue Male will land on YT mid April. The Executioner on April 1st (Easter Monday) with a new one uploaded to Patreon the same day. I have five more new ones finished and I've just started work on a sixth. I can tell you what the five are if you want to know, or not if you'd prefer not. Thanks again, David. T.
Hey Tony! I've just discovered a forgotten gem by legendary director John Carpenter, it's a tele-film called Someone's Watching Me (1978) it's suspense incarnate, think of a graceful gripping mixture of Wait Until Dark (1967) & Halloween (1978) and you've got this film! don't take this as a recommendation for a film to review as I'm pretty sure your more booked than a library but I highly highly recommend that you seek it out in your free time!
I remember it well, Streed. It was a made for TV film that Carpenter wrote and directed for Warner Brothers just prior to Halloween. Legend has it, he shot the movie in just 18 days. It's certainly a smart nervy little thriller, but due to it's non-theatrical status was difficult article to track down for decades. I've got a Blu-Ray version from Shout Factory that's still in the shrink wrap. Ashamed to say I've not got around to watching it yet on this format. Certainly will at some point, though. Thanks. T.
I’m a snowflake woker but I will definitely order this one. I really appreciate late 60’s & 70’s Bronson era films. The cinematography and stunts and the irreplaceable screen presence of its lead actor.
Great film. Especially the Roy Budd score. Chato's Land, The Mechanic and Death Wish was Bronson/Winner at the top of their game. Have you ever seen Winner's Dirty Weekend 1993 which was his last controversial film that even got banned on video for over a year.
I've seen Dirty Weekend and it's certainly his oddest and weirdest movie. I remember not liking it very much, being wrong-footed and confused by it, unable to decide if it's black comedy feminist diatribe wrapped up in a satirical tract poking fun at revenge movies or just a careless, mindless, low-rent exploitation outing to the seaside. I need to see it again at some point and give it some more thought. Many thanks, John.
@@tonybush555 there is a director's cut on TH-cam. I feel the film was out of date as if it was made in the 1960's. Also Bella in the book was originally a prostitute not a mild secretary. I felt the film didn't know if it was a feminist revenge or a mal chavistist one even though it's probably the same thing.
Those three you mentioned first, with Breakheart Pass, Mr Majestic and, of course, the wonderful Once Upon a Time in the West are the best Bronson films, IMO. Often brutal, non-PC and formulaic, but that's why I love 'em. Pure entertainment.
@@PaIaeoCIive1684 I love Breakheart Pass and Breakout which Bronson and director Tom Gries could of been another great film relationship like Michael Winner and J. Lee Thompson.
@@ninfilms Yes! Breakout's good too. I forgot to mention Red Sun, the oddball western with Bronson hard as ever alongside Toshiro Mifune - yes, playing a samurai! - and Alain Delon. Entertaining! Breakheart Pass is a weird western/thriller but a lot better than most. Bronson's one of those actors - like Eastwood - that doesn't have to do much to look cool and keep your attention. Especially good as 'harmonica' in Once Upon a Time, I thought, though that was a near perfect film in all respects.
--- IN THAT TIME . . . the fact that The Stone Killer (1973) was "A Charles Bronson Movie" was sufficient reason to go to the cinema. Like Bogart, Bronson always delivered the performance that made tolerable entertainment of an uneven script or story. In the case of The Stone Killer, the re-watch value is in the sociology of Nixon's Murica and teasing out the plot and story threads that are the reasons for the exciting mayhem.
Funny thing just 2 days back my father commented with me that Bronson films don't air anymore, and here you are talking of our boy Charles. Tony would lean to say it's some "wokeratti" thing, but having in mind that even lefty films from long ago disappeared from circulation, those rad but bourgeois lib stuff from 1970s and 1980s that would fit with the in-crowd disappeared from circulation, minority films like blaxploitation that the diversity crowd shouts in favour of disappeared from circulation. And this why we can't have good things. Nice eloquent look at another one I didn't even know existed (I'm sure my father watched it back in the day though).
In the UK, terrestrial or traditional TV channels don't screen films that often these days. The streaming services have cornered the movie end of the market, and they don't seem to stock older stuff. One channel, an independent satellite service called Talking Pictures, does screen media from the 1930s on, but you never know what you're going to get and in honesty the resolution they broadcast in is quite poor by today's standards. Still, an invaluable service all the same. I think we live in a time wherein most films pre-2000 are considered unfashionable and of little financial value to the stream giants. Thanks for commenting, Vitor, much appreciated. T.
@@tonybush555 Yes, Tony, Talking Pictures is recommended for occasional classic film and TV oldies - including Ealing Films, hilarious obscure 50s/60s sci-fi films, gritty film noirs from the same era, nostalgic Children's programme and a lot of comedy too non-PC for the regular channels. Some of the films are of the 'so bad it's good' variety, but many gems too. Like you say, some of the the older stuff they show comes from terrible prints with obvious faults in sound and picture. Recommended if you like vintage treats.
A very good underrated movie One of Bronson's best thank you for the review
Thank you, Ronald.
I Liked the Director Winner's Western "Lawman" with Burt Lanscaster.
So did I - it was an early review when I first started doing this: th-cam.com/video/dM_1MQWC1zo/w-d-xo.html
Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, Maureen. Appreciated. T.
I enjoy being unfashionable too. Michael Winner...loved his restaurant reviews ❤
Thank you, Victoria. I feel I'm in good company. T.
I know a lot of people thought Michael Winner was a just a hack director, but he did make a number of good films, this included.
I usually found him good fun and enjoyed that he seemingly didn't care what anyone else thought and just did what he wanted to do. For a time, anyway. Thanks, Russell.
Winner wasn't remotely pretentious about film making or much else. He attended Oxford but famously hung his certificate in his toilet. If you want to spend your time chin-stroking to arty-farty visuals try Tarkovsky or Nolan, if you want an entertaining but brutal action film try Winner.
In my opinion Michael Winner did make some great films. He did some auteur qualities mainly from his editing qualities e.g. Arnold Crust. His high peak was Death Wish. Even though I did like The Sentinel. Death Wish II is Marmite but I feel Jimmy Page score is underrated. The Wicked Lady is fun and Dirty Weekend is a mix bag. Parting Shot aka Farting Shots doesn't work mainly Chris Rea hasn't got comedy timing except Oliver Reed.
Overall I feel Michael Winner was an easy target with critics but he didn't give two hoots. Even some of his weaker films have got a charm.
I LOVE your channel Tony!
Someone has to, Zami. And I'm very glad that you do. Thanks. T.
Takk!
Wow, Atle, thank you most sincerely for your generosity. I really appreciate it. Thanks! T.
My Pleasure @@tonybush555
Thanks! I watched this one yesterday because of your review. In this era, I’m always on the lookout for gritty crime flicks in the mode of my favorites Charley Varrick, Dirty Harry, etc. Cheers!
Well, thank you for your exceptional generosity, Jamie. Very much appreciated. T.
Its always been my favourite Bronson / Winner film. And nice review of a particularly under-rated 70s pic. Well chosen!
Cheers, John. Thanks for commenting. T.
I love The Mechanic and Death Wish, don't know how I missed this one. I'll give this one a watch, for sure. Thanks for the heads up Tony, as well as another fine review.
Same here I will check it out now👍
You're welcome, Larry. Thanks for commenting. T.
1:12 I recently got The French Connection on VHS!
Excellent choice, Streed.
@@tonybush555 haven't seen it yet but I've been hearing whispers that it's a wicked flick.
French Connection 2's not bad either. Not as cool as the original but Hackman's nearly always worth watching.
@@PaIaeoCIive1684 I'll keep that in mind thank you :)
@@AbrasiousProductions Very polite of you, Camoren. Assuming you're a youngster, I really envy you watching all the great films of the past for the first time - there are SO many classics. Good luck with the film making ambition. It's REALLY tough making it in that biz, but many do.
Great stuff Tony. Cheers.
I haven't seen this film in yonks. North American Cop language of this era often mentioned Hookers. Are there any Hookers in this one? I am disappointed to say that I have never seen a Hooker make an appearance in any of these films.
Many thanks, Tom. Appreciated. T.
My fave Winner's are Scorpio with Alain Delon and Burt Lancaster - pretty good paranoid spy thriller which would make a great double feature with Don Siegel's Telefon - starring Bronson, so there you go. The other one is Firepower with James Coburn, Sophia Loren and OJ Simpson (!!!??). Its a Mission Impossible-type action film and Coburn is having the time of his life, smmmooottthe as silk.
Scorpio is a terrific pulp spy/chase thriller blast of a film. Thanks for commenting, Jason. Appreciated. T.
Oh man, I'd love to hear your thoughts on Dirty Weekend. A 70s exploitation Michael Winner film transplanted into the 90s where it's just campy and pervy as fuck. Dreadful, but unintentionally(?) hilarious, it became a bit of a weird cult film (in my shared house at Uni anyway)-!
Dirty Weekend has yet to be remastered as a Blu Ray - which comes as something of a surprise in a way, considering all the other stuff that has. However, I do have a DVD copy and at some point in the future will get around to doing it. Can't say when, though. Thanks for commenting, John. Appreciated. T.
Thanks
Grateful thanks, Richard. Very much appreciated. T
Thanks!
You are more than generous, David. Seriously grateful for your input and support. T.
@@tonybush555 That's for the 'Rogue Male' video. No rule saying I can't pay until the video hits YT.
That's true, but honestly, as a Patron on Patreon you don't owe me anything. Still, it is very kind of you and don't think I'm not grateful. I've taken to scheduling completed reviews for YT in advance. Licence To Kill - Rogue Male will land on YT mid April. The Executioner on April 1st (Easter Monday) with a new one uploaded to Patreon the same day. I have five more new ones finished and I've just started work on a sixth. I can tell you what the five are if you want to know, or not if you'd prefer not. Thanks again, David. T.
@@tonybush555 Tony, I prefer to be surprised with each new video. Happy Easter and take care.
Hey Tony! I've just discovered a forgotten gem by legendary director John Carpenter, it's a tele-film called Someone's Watching Me (1978) it's suspense incarnate, think of a graceful gripping mixture of Wait Until Dark (1967) & Halloween (1978) and you've got this film! don't take this as a recommendation for a film to review as I'm pretty sure your more booked than a library but I highly highly recommend that you seek it out in your free time!
I remember it well, Streed. It was a made for TV film that Carpenter wrote and directed for Warner Brothers just prior to Halloween. Legend has it, he shot the movie in just 18 days. It's certainly a smart nervy little thriller, but due to it's non-theatrical status was difficult article to track down for decades. I've got a Blu-Ray version from Shout Factory that's still in the shrink wrap. Ashamed to say I've not got around to watching it yet on this format. Certainly will at some point, though. Thanks. T.
@@tonybush555 of course you've seen this masterpiece, never change Tony❤
In the words of Mr Winner "3 Dining Stars" for you Tony
p.s Electra Glide in Blue?
It's a distinct possibility, D.G.
I’m a snowflake woker but I will definitely order this one.
I really appreciate late 60’s & 70’s Bronson era films. The cinematography and stunts and the irreplaceable screen presence of its lead actor.
If that's the case, you've just given me at least some flicker of hope. Thanks for commenting, cydelegs. Appreciated. T.
Great film. Especially the Roy Budd score. Chato's Land, The Mechanic and Death Wish was Bronson/Winner at the top of their game.
Have you ever seen Winner's Dirty Weekend 1993 which was his last controversial film that even got banned on video for over a year.
I've seen Dirty Weekend and it's certainly his oddest and weirdest movie. I remember not liking it very much, being wrong-footed and confused by it, unable to decide if it's black comedy feminist diatribe wrapped up in a satirical tract poking fun at revenge movies or just a careless, mindless, low-rent exploitation outing to the seaside. I need to see it again at some point and give it some more thought. Many thanks, John.
@@tonybush555 there is a director's cut on TH-cam. I feel the film was out of date as if it was made in the 1960's. Also Bella in the book was originally a prostitute not a mild secretary. I felt the film didn't know if it was a feminist revenge or a mal chavistist one even though it's probably the same thing.
Those three you mentioned first, with Breakheart Pass, Mr Majestic and, of course, the wonderful Once Upon a Time in the West are the best Bronson films, IMO. Often brutal, non-PC and formulaic, but that's why I love 'em. Pure entertainment.
@@PaIaeoCIive1684 I love Breakheart Pass and Breakout which Bronson and director Tom Gries could of been another great film relationship like Michael Winner and J. Lee Thompson.
@@ninfilms Yes! Breakout's good too. I forgot to mention Red Sun, the oddball western with Bronson hard as ever alongside Toshiro Mifune - yes, playing a samurai! - and Alain Delon. Entertaining! Breakheart Pass is a weird western/thriller but a lot better than most. Bronson's one of those actors - like Eastwood - that doesn't have to do much to look cool and keep your attention. Especially good as 'harmonica' in Once Upon a Time, I thought, though that was a near perfect film in all respects.
--- IN THAT TIME . . . the fact that The Stone Killer (1973) was "A Charles Bronson Movie" was sufficient reason to go to the cinema. Like Bogart, Bronson always delivered the performance that made tolerable entertainment of an uneven script or story. In the case of The Stone Killer, the re-watch value is in the sociology of Nixon's Murica and teasing out the plot and story threads that are the reasons for the exciting mayhem.
Agreed. T.
Funny thing just 2 days back my father commented with me that Bronson films don't air anymore, and here you are talking of our boy Charles. Tony would lean to say it's some "wokeratti" thing, but having in mind that even lefty films from long ago disappeared from circulation, those rad but bourgeois lib stuff from 1970s and 1980s that would fit with the in-crowd disappeared from circulation, minority films like blaxploitation that the diversity crowd shouts in favour of disappeared from circulation. And this why we can't have good things. Nice eloquent look at another one I didn't even know existed (I'm sure my father watched it back in the day though).
In the UK, terrestrial or traditional TV channels don't screen films that often these days. The streaming services have cornered the movie end of the market, and they don't seem to stock older stuff. One channel, an independent satellite service called Talking Pictures, does screen media from the 1930s on, but you never know what you're going to get and in honesty the resolution they broadcast in is quite poor by today's standards. Still, an invaluable service all the same. I think we live in a time wherein most films pre-2000 are considered unfashionable and of little financial value to the stream giants. Thanks for commenting, Vitor, much appreciated. T.
@@tonybush555 Yes, Tony, Talking Pictures is recommended for occasional classic film and TV oldies - including Ealing Films, hilarious obscure 50s/60s sci-fi films, gritty film noirs from the same era, nostalgic Children's programme and a lot of comedy too non-PC for the regular channels. Some of the films are of the 'so bad it's good' variety, but many gems too. Like you say, some of the the older stuff they show comes from terrible prints with obvious faults in sound and picture. Recommended if you like vintage treats.