Review of The Mechanic (1972) by Allan C — 06 Dec 2014

I remember watching this on TV as a kid and the opening scene just blew my mind. Filmed completely in silence, the audience watched Charles Bronson meticulously set up an elaborate hit on a nameless individual in an apartment building.

Bronson sneaks into his home, sets up a time released gas leak to happen at night while the victim is asleep, puts plastic explosive inside a book on a shelf, and then waits in the building across the street to shoot the book, triggering an explosion at just the right time.

It was just wild and it still is pretty darn cool today. The rest of the film is an archetypal story I also love. Bronson is an aging hitman (a mechanic) who take on a young protege, Jan-Michael Vincent.

The film take a turn with an older generation vs. the younger generation turn is a terrific way. This film is my favorite Charles Bronson vehicle, which was directed by his frequent collaborator Michael Winner.

Jan-Michael Vincent is one of Bronson's best costars in any of his vehicles. I'm also always fascinated by Jan-Michael Vincent's quote about himself, saying that he'd have been another James Dean if he'd died after make just three films (this film and "Big Wednesday" were probably two of the films he was referring to).

I really think he may have been right, but he instead ruined his career with alcohol, drugs and "Airwolf." But back to this film, besides the memorable opening, it also features an incredibly tough ending, which I won't spoil here, but is terrific.

The remake ruined the ending and feeling compelled to leave the film open for a sequel, but this film does it just right. Keenan Wynn has a solid supporting role and Jill Ireland, the real-life Mrs. Charles Bronson, makes a brief appearance as a prostitute.

Jerry Fielding provided some of his typically stark 70s action film scores.