Violent City

Rating:
Summary: Italian Crime Flick with Charles Bronson
Review: Good Italian hitman movie boasts a good Charles Bronson performance. The climax was really unique. If you like this, then check out Revolver by the same director.

Rating:
Summary: Italian Crime Flick with Charles Bronson
Review: Good Italian hitman movie boasts a good Charles Bronson performance. The climax was really unique. If you like this, then check out Revolver by the same director.

Rating:
Summary: SPOILER IN GENE MUNROE'S REVIEW!
Review: I am looking forward to seeing this film but made the mistake of reading Gene Munroe's review below.

I now know the ending to the film thanks to an unnecessary spoiler. Thanks Gene!

Still look forward to Bronson and Savalas in the same film with a Morricone score though.

Rating:
Summary: Charles Bronson is the Man you don't want to cross
Review: One of the best films of the seventies in my opioin, Charles Bronson plays a Professinal Killer who is doublecrossed by powerful mob boss who wants Bronson to join his "Family" Simple, straightforward action that never lets up. The ending also proves memorable when Bronson realizes [...]. Bronson means business in this film the guy can portray this type of chracter better than anyone else and has proved it time and time again over the years.

Rating:
Summary: "This is no ordinary Bronson movie."
Review: That's from the back cover on the DVD. I guess what they're saying is, "This is a GOOD Bronson movie." Indeed -- ANY movie written by Lina Wertmuller and scored by Ennio Morricone is bound to be at least interesting, no matter the subject or the star. *Violent City*, set in New Orleans but Italian-produced (and directed by journeyman Sergio Sollima), is a really nasty piece of work that explores the seamy underbelly of petty organized crime and its contract killers. Charles Bronson plays a retired independent hitman hilariously named "Jeff". At first, he gets our sympathy. He's a nice guy, on the surface: well, he's nice as long as he's got a yacht and a hot broad to play with. But when things turn sour -- when he's double-crossed by the hot broad and an old pal -- he shows his true colors as a thoroughgoing b---ard. He's a remorseless killer with a rapist mentality. But in the milieu of *Violent City*, one can hardly single Jeff out for condemnation: it's every man (and woman) for him/herself. No good guys, here. Speaking of the woman, Bronson's wife Jill Ireland nicely brings to life Wertmuller's brilliant conception of the Dumb Blonde who hides the heart of a Medusa. Telly Savalas also makes an impression as the New Orleans kingpin who puts a roadblock in Jeff's plans for revenge. Savalas, wearing gigantic eyeglasses, gives us an oddly sympathetic Mob boss. (Bronson, btw, is terrible as usual, but so what?) I think I'll refrain from giving out plot details, because the movie depends on its plot twists to keep the audience hooked. Seekers of the "visual aesthetic" will definitely be hooked by the superb locales. Sollima manages to avoid the Quarter almost entirely: the majority of the location shots are in the seedy ghettos, swampy suburbs, and shipping docks of New Orleans. Never has this city looked so ugly and untouristy (no cliched scenes of the main characters wending their way through Bourbon St., et al.), but the scenery certainly befits the savage storyline. In any case, ALL will be impressed by the violent, slowly operatic finale. *Violent City* is a classic example of "neo-noir" at its conception in the early Seventies. It's a gem ripe for discovery. Especially recommendable to fans of Sam Peckinpah: the concerns with masculine power, and the blending of sex and violence, will make the Peckinpah fan feel right at home.

Rating:
Summary: "This is no ordinary Bronson movie."
Review: yep. you read that headline right. i have blasted bronson's later work like the DEATH WISH series, 10 TO MIDNIGHT, THE EVIL THAT MEN DO, MURPHY'S LAW, KINJITE, etc. you have to check on his earlier work which he did very well. he was tough, no nonsense, no remorse. his best films were THE DIRTY DOZEN, HARD TIMES, TELEFON + he did some italian actioners like RIDER IN THE RAIN & to me, his best film of all, VIOLENT CITY. it is shown on tv, where i saw last night, as THE FAMILY. an underrated 1970 treasure well directed by sergio sollima. bronson's wife jill ireland is perfect and very beautiful here. telly savalas is a hoot trying to squeeze out a new orleans accent as a mob boss. i won't get into the plot since i've read the other amazon reviews including 1 spoiler review. oh my, keep your ears peeled for ennio morricone's spectacular score. ranks right up there with ennio's GOOD, BAD AND THE UGLY theme. like i said, i won't do spoilers but the climax is well done with silence with the crackling sounds of bullets shattering glass and i did jump when that occurred. despite silence, jill ireland yells out her final line which i read her lips well. it is sad. i am glad VIOLENT CITY is on dvd. the widescreen is terrific! it is about time!

Rating:
Summary: this is, to me,is charles bronson's masterpiece!
Review: yep. you read that headline right. i have blasted bronson's later work like the DEATH WISH series, 10 TO MIDNIGHT, THE EVIL THAT MEN DO, MURPHY'S LAW, KINJITE, etc. you have to check on his earlier work which he did very well. he was tough, no nonsense, no remorse. his best films were THE DIRTY DOZEN, HARD TIMES, TELEFON + he did some italian actioners like RIDER IN THE RAIN & to me, his best film of all, VIOLENT CITY. it is shown on tv, where i saw last night, as THE FAMILY. an underrated 1970 treasure well directed by sergio sollima. bronson's wife jill ireland is perfect and very beautiful here. telly savalas is a hoot trying to squeeze out a new orleans accent as a mob boss. i won't get into the plot since i've read the other amazon reviews including 1 spoiler review. oh my, keep your ears peeled for ennio morricone's spectacular score. ranks right up there with ennio's GOOD, BAD AND THE UGLY theme. like i said, i won't do spoilers but the climax is well done with silence with the crackling sounds of bullets shattering glass and i did jump when that occurred. despite silence, jill ireland yells out her final line which i read her lips well. it is sad. i am glad VIOLENT CITY is on dvd. the widescreen is terrific! it is about time!