Mr. Majestyk (1974, Richard Fleischer)

I think it's safe to say there are certain elements you come to expect when watching a Bronson film. Firstly, you know for a fact you're not going to be bored. Secondly, there's a good to fair chance Jill Ireland is going to show up at some point in the picture, and of course thirdly... you just don't fuck with Bronson. 

Our badass Vietnam veteran Vince Majestyk, is first seen pumping exactly $3 of gas into his pick-up truck, indicating he's currently tight with the dollar. He's employing melon pickers in order to pick his crop and will soon be... in the money as they say. 

Suddenly he finds himself defending the use of the gas station's bathroom when some Mexican migrant workers are refused entry. Thus gaining their (and our) respect, further workers and a possible love interest. 

Upon bringing his new workers to his crop field, he's confronted by a hoodlum attempting to enforce his own workers with a shotgun. This of course doesn't go down well with our hero, who now has to teach him a lesson. Vince is later picked up by the police for assault with a deadly weapon and is taken into custody due to a past prison sentence, where he subsequently meets Frank Renda. 

The great Al Lettieri (The Godfather/The Getaway/The Don is Dead), who elevates any film he's in for my money, of course plays the heavy here as Renda. And with Vince attempting to halter his breakout, Renda is now out for blood, Vince's blood. This is where the picture really shifts into high gear. He'll toy with him, threaten and harm his workers, anything to get his hands on Mr Majestyk. 

I must admit this is somewhat of a personal favourite of mine, my father and I would watch this one to no end when I was a kid on video. It also happens to be Tarantino's favourite Bronson film, even going so far to being referenced in True Romance and a one-sheet of this film can be seen on Michael Madsen's wall in Kill Bill: Vol. 2.

Regardless of being associated as just another Bronson action film, this is undoubtedly a cut above the rest.  We can attribute this to its director, a true crime master Richard Fleischer, and also from the fact that the material never seems to fall too far from reality for it's genre. 

The material of course being that of a Elmore Leonard novel, which the film is loosely based on. Yes a hitman will stop at nothing to personally kill a small time melon farmer, but for what it is, it's somewhat grounded and believable.

Mostly, this film simply delivers in all aspects. You've got a badass believable down to earth hero, a strong well-casted no-nonsense female lead and of course a noteworthy villain.  To back this up, there's some great chase sequences, terrific 1970s action and suspense, great supporting cast and the pacing of the film for me is just right. Plus a great score.

Upon the release of this picture, Ford began selling endless amounts of pick-ups due to the amazing driving sequences done with Majestyk's unmodified '68 Ford F-100. Ford even showcased scenes from the film in their 1976 commercial for extreme durance pick-up trucks. Of course they sold like hot-cakes.

Charles Bronson had co-stared in some of the greatest films of the 1960s, yet rarely landing a lead role in the States. However in Europe, he was huge and even made a few pictures there, most notably the great Once Upon a Time in the West.  He began the 1970s with action in Violent City, mostly keeping to the genre with films like The Mechanic (my second fav), save for a few exceptions such as cult film Someone Behind the Door. 

Then came 1974, which was truly Charles Bronson's year in America, with this film (originally intended for Cling Eastwood) being released only months apart from his smash hit Death Wish. Two films that if placed side by side, almost seem like a political dispute, with the latter's rather savage far-right vigilante message.

Suddenly he's America's bankable lead for tough guy action films of the '70s and 80's which led to some decent action films like Hard Times, Breakheart Pass, Death Hunt, 10 to Midnight and many more, but also some stinkers let's face it. Personally I'd even consider Death Wish 3 a win if you're up for some bonkers fun.

If you're a fan of those great 1970's gritty crime films, you'll most defiantly dig this one, go on treat yourself, get a beer, a slice of watermelon, and enjoy.

Rating:  A-

Click here for the trailer