Review of Death Wish (1974) by Jason J — 01 Feb 2011
Based on a 1972 novel by Brian Garfield, this became a popular film series with 4 sequels that followed over the next 20 years. It's the best of all the films, down to earth, very gritty and with an engaging lead role.
It's a rare beast of a film, a good Michael Winner film. It has architect Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) and his wife Paul Kersey and his wife Joanna (Hope Lange) living the perfect life in New York City with their daughter Carol (Kathleen Tolan).
One day, while Paul is at work, Joanna and Carol are followed home by a group of muggers, who break into their apartment and rape Joanna and Carol. Joanna is killed by the thugs while Carol is left as a catatonic vegetable.
Paul is left shattered by this, especially when he's told the police may not find the criminals. However, after a business trip to Tuscon, Arizona, he's given a present by landowner Ames Jainchill (Stuart Margolin), a nickel plated revolver.
After shooting a mugger one night, he begins a quest of vigilantism, which seems to help him come to terms with his loss. It's a gritty film, and they always say the original is the best and it's proven in this case, though it's still not perfect.
They should have just kept it at this, and now a remake has been rumoured.
This review of Death Wish (1974) was written by Jason J on 01 Feb 2011.
Death Wish has generally received positive reviews.
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