Charles Bronson Goes “Dirty Harry!”
See this poster? The tagline “This Cop Plays Dirty?” Does it remind you of this guy?
The 70’s was a wild decade for police thrillers – my favorite of all time is “Dirty Harry”, but I just discovered a new one that I loved, starring Charles Bronson!
Bronson was one of the cinema’s great tough guys, and I was so happy to discover a film of his I hadn’t seen!
“The Stone Killer!”
I found this on Tubi, which is a terrific free streaming service – yes they have ads, but they do NOT edit R-rated films so you see them as they were released! They have a lot of classic cult cinema on offer.
Here is the trailer for “The Stone Killer”:
“The Stone Killer” is Bronson’s 1973 cop thriller directed by Michael Winner.
Bronson plays a tough New York Detective who gets sent to LA after playing a bit too tough in the big apple. While there he uncovers a plot by Vietnam Vets to pull off a massacre.
As you can see, the posters evoke “Dirty Harry” but the film delivers – great action sequences, a terrific supporting cast led by Martin Balsam, and a tight plot…this was just one of many great action collaborations between Bronson and Director Winner – they made this just a year after their classic action film from 1972:
“The Mechanic” is great, and you can find it on many streaming services right now – the film’s success helped launch the career of Jan-Michael Vincent…he went on to be one of Hollywood’s biggest stars….
Sadly, even with this success, Vincent struggled with personal demons…he starred in the 80’s hit TV show “AirWolf” before his career fell apart…see more about his “True Hollywood Tragedy” here…
The following year, Winner and Bronson teamed up for what would be the first in a series of 5 classic cult thrillers:
“Death Wish!”
This 1974 revenge thriller is the “Godfather of Payback”…a controversial drama that exploited urban paranoia and presents vigilantism as cathartic release. A mild-mannered New Yorker turns violent vigilante after a horrific crime strikes his family, and who runs afoul of the law when taking “justice” into his own hands. Charles Bronson stars as the vengeance-seeking urban warrior who goes on a punk-killing spree after his wife and daughter are attacked by intruders. Watch for a very young Jeff Goldblum in this, as one of the assailants of Bronson’s loved ones.
Bronson went on to make a number of films with the Cannon Film Group – a company hilariously known for this classic slice of cult cinema:
“Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo!”
Oh the 80’s were something else and the Cannon Movie Group shows you why! Check out a documentary that tells their wacky story here!
Of course, I need to remind you that THIS is one of my favorite films of all time:
It’s as powerful and iconic today as ever: see the original trailer plus lots of behind-the-scenes trivia here + the other two great films Eastwood made that same year!
Finally, if you want to see one the great 70’s action films – with arguably the GREATEST CAR CHASE OF THAT ERA, check out “The Seven Up!”
And talk about timing…my blogging friend Eric has a GREAT movie site called “Diary Of A Movie Maniac” and he just posted this terrific review of Charles Bronson in the 1974 film “Mr. Majestyk!”
See it here:
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Categories: 70's Cinema, Action Films, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Film Noir, Great Films, Grindhouse, Hollywood, Movies, Obscure Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities, True Hollywood Mystery
johnrieber 
I reviewed The Stone Killer years ago on my blog, and I loved it. I’m kicking myself now reading your post for not linking it to Dirty Harry, which, as you pointed out, clearly shares similarities with it. There is just something about 1970s filmmakers that made them especially good at gritty crime dramas.
Anyway, I share your praise for Tubi. In my opinion, it has the best movie library of any streaming service, especially when it comes to 1970s and 1980s films. Yes, there are ads, about a 90-second break every 15 minutes, but honestly, who cares? The movies are unedited, most are in HD and presented in their original aspect ratios, and it’s free. I love it!
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Sorry, I forgot to log in.
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I was won over when I saw they had the film “Vampyres” from 1974 starring Marianne Morris and Anulka Dziubinska – and it is filled with nudity and sexual situations…I use that as an example of the movies not being edited – they show the rating so you know what you are getting. But that is what is usually taken out on a free or ad-supported site so Tubi does a great job – also a ton of classic italian Gallo thrillers too!
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I sure do love THE STONE KILLER as well. We did a podcast episode on this movie for THIS WEEK IN CHARLES BRONSON, and I have to admit I love the film now more than ever. I also appreciate the love shown to the car chase in THE SEVEN UPS. I just don’t think there’s a better one out there, and the way it ends is just incredible.
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Agree! I had seen “The stone Killer” listed but never tried it – so glad I did!
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There for awhile I was a Bronson fan….I like the ac tion but for some reason he fell off my film radar. chuq
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He had a great run in the 70’s but then started working with Cannon films and the quality deteriorated quickly…thanks for the note!
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I’m a Charles Bronson fan too. I remember all the Death Wish films, but the 2 films of his I like best are The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape.
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Those two certainly are classic, and “Once Upon a Time In The West” as well…thanks for reading and commenting!
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I saw The Stone Killer on release at a cinema in London, John. I was 21, and really enjoyed it, even though CB had the tendency to play the same ‘character’ in any film he worked on. Shared on Twitter.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes he did Pete…I’m glad I came across this one – and for free at home too!
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