The Mechanic | | Cast : | Charles Bronson, Jan-Michael Vincent | | Director : | Michael Winner | | Studio : | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen | | Released Date : | January 01, 1972 | | DVD Released Date : | October 08, 2002 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed) | | Audience Rating : | PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | June 29, 2005 | | Summary | The Mechanic Portrays Bronson's Best! | Content
 | In The Mechanic Charles Bronson plays Arthur Bishop a "mechanic" or hired killer known for a meticulous precision that would make Bobby Fischer jealous. Under the direction of Michael Winner (who also directed Bronson in Death Wish) the film bristles with a visceral action that is palpable to the viewer. Jan-Michael Vincent plays Steve McKenna an apprentice in waiting as he is shown the tricks of the trade by Bishop. Michael Vincent comes off as a more physical 70's version of Brad Pitt. This appearance predates most his problems with drugs and alcohol which show him to be a fine presence on screen. Bronson is the main reason to check out The Mechanic he's really hitting his stride with a quiet confidence that is befitting for a man whose sole occupation is to find his victims primary weakness while exploiting it with extreme prejudice. The Mechanic is a quintessential 70's actioner and should be pleasing to enthusiasts of the genre. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 25, 2005 | | Summary | 70'S OLD SCHOOL ACTION!!!!!!!! | Content
| This movie was better than I expected! I first though that the movie would be lame because of the title but I saw it and now is one of the best action movies I ever seen in the 70's along with the first three movies of Dirty Harry, Enter the Dragon, Star Wars, Mad Max and The Loosers.
There is to much blah, blah, blah at times but you can just press the fast foward button anytime you want! The action scenes were GREAT, there is a long motorcycle chase with stunts and all, big explotions, car chase, grenades, gun shooting and more!!!!!! The begining and the end of the movie where the most memorable scenes.
P.S: This movie have more action than Death Wish, but Death Wish is the best movie of Charles Bronson because he looks SOOO COOL dressing all black in the dark streets of New York and the movie have a better concept.
ADIOS! |
| Rating | | | Date | May 16, 2005 | | Summary | THE ULTIMATE HITMAN MOVIE Charles Bronson's way! | Content
| Charles Bronson re-teams with director Michael Winner - sandwiched between their first pairing in the underrated Chato's Land and their seminal collaboration in Death Wish - in this Lewis John Carlino-scripted actioner. Bronson plays Arthur Bishop, a "mechanic" or hired killer, famed for his efficient and unfeeling contract executions.
The young and eager Steve McKenna (Jan-Michael Vincent) teams up with him, hoping that Bishop will teach him the bounty-hunting business. Imparting words of wisdom to Steve like, "Murder is only killing without a license and everybody kills - the Army, the police," the two undergo a series of adventures as Bishop shows Steve the ropes. Between action scenes, Bronson's wife Jill Ireland makes an appearance as a sexy hooker. |
| Rating | | | Date | March 29, 2005 | | Summary | "Nobody lives forever..." | Content
| As one of the first reviewers wrote, "look beneath the surface-this is one deep film". I agree completely. I love this movie, but I think what's hurt it is that it's billed as an action movie when it really isn't. Whether that was the original intention or not, I don't know. Either way, what we get is actually a character study that is masterfully done. If you're looking for scene after scene of action, this is NOT the movie for you. Anyone that knows something about Charles Bronson probably has a pretty simplistic view of him: as the stone faced actor who was in A LOT of action movies, or, "that guy in 'Death Wish'". For those who've seen and 'get' this movie, we know Bronson actually was more than that. I saw 'Death Wish' again in 2003 or 2004, and I thought it was dull. The idea behind it was more interesting than the movie itself, particularly after repeated viewings and the passing of time. 'The Mechanic' is different. Bronson's natural quality of not giving anything away (on the outside) is perfect for the character of Arthur Bishop. One of the many things I like about this movie is how we see that, although he pretends that all the killing does not register on his conscience, it actually does. He faints at an aquarium, a scene very well done. Then, curiously, he throws away a prescription for anti-anxiety medication. He ignores the suggestion that he see a psychiatrist. After all, what would he say?--"Doc, I kill people for a living, and it doesn't sit well with something inside of me." One reviewer noted that he seems trapped in a fated spiral, once he takes on the apprentice. I can see something of that. But, also as the other reviewer noted, is he trapped or is he letting certain aspects 'ride' while having a contingency plan in case things with the apprentice don't work out? This is another great aspect of the movie-the friendship between Bronson and Vincent. There is a competitive quality to their relationship that alludes to the limits of their friendship. I (like the other reviewers) won't give away the ending, but it, along with the fantastic first 16 minutes of the movie, are the highlights (for me). I love Arthur Bishop's house too. As someone who is very solitary, I'd love to have that kind of space and privacy. Lastly, this movie DOES stay with you after it's over. I've seen it close to 100 times (no exaggeration!) since 1993, even taping the audio portion once when I had no TV or VCR/DVD player, only a stereo to keep me company. Forget 'Death Wish'-this is THE Charles Bronson movie to watch, again and again. Buy it, because even if you are only lukewarm on it at first, it'll grow on you--I promise. |
| Rating | | | Date | January 28, 2005 | | Summary | No man is an island | Content
| Arthur Bishop is a connoisseur of the finer things in life - wine, art, literature, music - and lives a secluded existence in his own organized world, observing the rest of humanity as an "outsider." His detached persona makes him uniquely suited to the demands of his profession, that of "the mechanic" or "hit man." Arthur is no moralist, but the ultimate pragmatist, and his victims mere losers in the giant scheme of life and death. He wryly observes that most of history's hero's were killers. His job simply affords him the opportunity to create his own "book of rules" in a game that he was born into, but did not invent. He has molded his entire existence into one of absolute control, but the years have caught up with him in the form of loneliness and anxiety. A hit on a long time family friend becomes the catalyst for Arthur to take on an associate, more out of loneliness than necessity, and with this breach into this inner sanctuary, the entire premise of his "outside" existence is compromised. |
|
