The Mechanic (1972)

Top 25 - 1970 to Today

The Mechanic (1972) – Arthur Bishop is a veteran hit man who, owing to his penchant for making his targets’ deaths seem like accidents, thinks himself an artist. It’s made him very rich, but as he hits middle age, he’s so depressed and lonely that he takes on one of his victim’s sons, Steve McKenna, as his apprentice. Arthur puts him through a rigorous training period and brings him on several hits. As Steven improves, Arthur worries that he’ll discover who killed his father.

Director: Michael Winner (Death Wish, The Stone Killer, Chato’s Land)

Writer: Lewis John Carlino (The Great Santini, The Streets of San Francisco)

Release Date: November 17, 1972 (United States)

Domestic Box Office: $16 million

The Mechanic (1972)

Top Cast:

  • Charles Bronson (Death Wish, The Dirty Dozen, Once Upon a Time in the West)
  • Jan-Michael Vincent (The Poseidon Adventure, Damnation Alley, White Lightning)
  • Keenan Wynn (The Poseidon Adventure, The Longest Day, The Dirty Dozen)
  • Jill Ireland (The Deadly Affair, The Wicker Man, The Beguiled)

“A professional never gets involved with his assignments.”

Critical Reviews:

  • “A stylish and suspenseful thriller.” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
  • “A lean, mean action movie with a cold-blooded heart.” – Vincent Canby, The New York Times
  • “A stylish and brutal thriller that is not for the faint of heart.” – Pauline Kael, The New Yorker
  • “A well-made and suspenseful thriller that is elevated by Bronson’s performance.” – Time Out
  • “A classic example of the ’70s action thriller, with Bronson at his best.” – The Guardian

Cinematic Importance: The Mechanic (1972) is a classic example of the ’70s action thriller. It is a stylish and suspenseful film with a cold-blooded heart. Bronson gives a memorable performance as the titular mechanic, and the film is elevated by his presence. The Mechanic is a must-see for fans of action movies and Bronson.

The film is also notable for its realistic depiction of contract killing. The film’s director, Michael Winner, was a former war correspondent, and he brought his knowledge of violence to the film. The Mechanic is a brutal and violent film, but it is also a well-made and suspenseful thriller.

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