Rating: 
Summary: Vastly underrated movie with Bronson and Coburn
Review: Hard Times is a great movie that for whatever reason has never got as much attention as other Charles Bronson and James Coburn movies. The movie tells the story of a strong, silent street figther, Chaney, who travels to New Orleans in 1933 during the midst of the Great Depression to make some money doing what he does best, "knocking people down." Chaney teams up with boxing promoter and street hustler Speed Weed. Immediately, Chaney destroys anyone he goes up against. As Chaney's reputation continues to rise, Speed has money problems that begin to cause more problems than Chaney ever anticipated. The street fights in this movie are brutal, vicious, knock down fights that are beautiful and horrifying at the same time. Unlike many action movies, Hard Times does not rely solely on the action. There is a well-told story with characters that we come to care and learn a lot about by the end of the movie. Just a great movie overall.
Charles Bronson gives an excellent performance as Chaney, the strong, silent street fighter trying to make a buck. Roles like this show Bronson's acting ability and that he wasn't just a tough guy, although he more than holds his own in this movie. James Coburn is equally as good as Spencer "Speed" Weed, Chaney's promoter who always has trouble holding onto money. Bronson's real-life wife Jill Ireland plays Lucy, Chaney's girlfriend who is looking for security in her life. In a smaller role, Strother Martin plays Poe, an opium-addicted medic working with Chaney and Speed. The movie also stars Michael McGuire as big-time gambler and heavy Chick Gandil, Felice Orlandi, Edward Walsh, Margaret Blye, Bruce Glover, Robert Tessier, and Nick Dimitri. The DVD offers widescreen and fullscreen presentations, and trailers from Hard Times and The Stone Killer, another Bronson movie. For an excellent movie with great performances from Bronson and Coburn with a well-told story and plenty of action, check out Hard Times!
Rating:
Summary: A cult gem
Review: "Hard Times" is a terrific looking movie that is also pretty terrific in a low key way. Certainly the best of Bronson's starring vehicles, Hard Times features some solid supporting work by old pros James Coburn and Strother Martin. The film is set (and was mainly shot) in New Orleans and I can attest (being from New Orleans myself) that most of the art direction is in fact no art direction at all but real places and settings that need little or no art direction to give them authenticity. (NOTE: I don't recall even seeing a credit for an "art director" in the opening credits). This is not coincedental since the city itself is a supporting character. This film has what many of today's film lack: flavor. Flavor in the script, in the cast, in the locale (with non stereotypical southerners), and in the atmosphere. The DVD version is beautifully preserved and crisp looking for a movie that's 25 years old. Definitely worth collecting.
Rating:
Summary: Best Bronson in Hard Times
Review: "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.
Rating:
Summary: A cult gem
Review: "Hard Times" is a terrific looking movie that is also pretty terrific in a low key way. Certainly the best of Bronson's starring vehicles, Hard Times features some solid supporting work by old pros James Coburn and Strother Martin. The film is set (and was mainly shot) in New Orleans and I can attest (being from New Orleans myself) that most of the art direction is in fact no art direction at all but real places and settings that need little or no art direction to give them authenticity. (NOTE: I don't recall even seeing a credit for an "art director" in the opening credits). This is not coincedental since the city itself is a supporting character. This film has what many of today's film lack: flavor. Flavor in the script, in the cast, in the locale (with non stereotypical southerners), and in the atmosphere. The DVD version is beautifully preserved and crisp looking for a movie that's 25 years old. Definitely worth collecting.
Rating:
Summary: Best Bronson in Hard Times
Review: "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.
Rating: 
Summary: Bronson in top form
Review: A classic mid-seventies movie. They don't make them like this anymore. Makes Rocky, which came out a year after, look like Cindarella. Bronson, who must have been in his early fifties when the flick was made is absolutely convincing as the toughest mother you will ever meet. Cudos to Coburn also who turns in a slick performance as the small-time fight promter. Great flick.
Rating:
Summary: Hard Hitting Action !!!
Review: A real gem ! Contrary to another review (14JAN04)- 'Hard Times' stands-out as Bronson's finest action film. A former boxer (amateur)himself; Bronson is in top form (and top shape at 52 years old !). Patrick Swayze's attempt ('Roadhouse'), to emulate Bronson never worked - simply because Mr. Bronson was an original. See this film !!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Depiction of Hard Times.
Review: An intiging view of the depression though the eyes of street fighters
Rating:
Summary: "It makes me feel a hell of a lot better than it does him."
Review: Bronson was a man's man. No question about that. Great period piece with fantastic action fight scenes and terrific finale. James Coburn is beautiful as an incredibly sleezy frontman for Bronson's stoic warrior. The only downside to this film is Bronson's fanatical obsession with employing his wife, Jill Ireland, in some elevated role in which she typically doesn't belong. A very tiresome habit and a major distraction in this movie, otherwise flawless. No extras on the DVD. The widescreen is a plus and the sound is about what you would expect. 5 oysters
Rating: 
Summary: WALTER HILL'S STRONG DEBUT MAKES FINE USE OF CHUCK'S STYLE
Review: Charles 'Chuck' Bronson has often been criticised for his minimalist acting style, mainly in the action thrillers he did with Michael Winner, but he is put to effective use in this solid drama, which is a solid debut for action director, Walter Hill and it also boasts a terrific supporting performance from that other veteran, James Coburn as the gambler who becomes Bronson's aide. Chuck's character, Chaney, may not say much, but you can tell just how he feels by looking at the expressions on his craggy face, something which Bronson, like Eastwood, can convey convincingly. But it's the fights themselves that are the highlights, the best one being the battle in the cage between Bronson and leering, cocky punk, Robert Tessier. The last fight is good, as well, and Bronson sure does move nimbly for a fifty four year old!
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