Columbia Pictures
Not part of a collection.
Hard Times
New Orleans, 1933. In those days words didn't say much.
In the depression, Chaney, a strong silent streetfighter, joins with Speed, a promoter of no-holds-barred street boxing bouts. They go to New Orleans where Speed borrows money to set up fights for Chaney, but Speed gambles away any winnings.
- Original title
- Hard Times
- Language
- EN
- Country
- US
- Budget
- $2,700,000
- Revenue
- $5,000,000
John Chard
May 30, 2019 · via TMDB
You're not going to do it for free. Hard Times sees Charles Bronson play Chaney, a drifter who travels to Louisiana during the Great Depression and begins competing in illegal bare-knuckled boxing matches that are set up by his new found partner Spencer 'Speed' Weed (James Coburn). Directed by Walter Hill on his directorial debut & produced by Lawrence Gordon, the film also stars Jill Ireland, Strother Martin, Margaret Blye, Michael McGuire & Robert Tessier. Hard Times, if you pardon the pun, pulls no punches, it's tightly scripted (Walter Hill in conjunction with Bryan Gindoff & Bruce Henstell) and thankfully doesn't get moralistic and didactic on the depression and hard times era in general. This features tough men earning a living, the respect is there, but it is brutal, with the violence on show very effective. It may be too strong for some, but Hill has pulled it together astutely to make sure we know these are masters of their craft during a very troubling time in history. It is by definition, an honest living for our pugilists. The bitterness that is here is reserved for those outside of the fight floor, as Chaney observes a bear in a cage as it roars in almost anguish, that whole scene then says so much without Bronson's Chaney actually uttering anything. To which it sounds weird to call Hard Times an evocative period piece, but it is. The locations are perfect for the story unfolding, kind of acting as a rich counter point to the violence played out amongst the men. The land worth fighting for perhaps? Tough and with no little bite, the film benefits from having Bronson as the lead. Yes, Coburn takes the honours for acting gravitas, but Bronson keeps Chaney enigmatically interesting. Chaney is loyal and has the potential for love. We know next to nothing about him, but such is the restraint that Bronson shows in the portrayal, we are grateful to not have had back story filler to bog the story down. This is about this point in a man's journey and in particular the next phase of that journey, one which we, thanks to Bronson, are personally involved with. It's a great understated performance from Mr. Buchinsky. Jill Ireland too is excellent with a touching performance as the down-and-out girl who captures Chaney's attention, while Strother Martin is ever reliable as a dope addict forced to work unlicensed as a medic who Speed has brought in as Chaney's cuts and bruises guy. A smashing and undervalued 70s movie that takes this part of history and refuses to entertain by basking in histrionics and parable's for the masses. Blood, brains and brawn cloaked in an evocative cloud of hope. 8/10
ky1958
Feb 20, 2017 · via TMDB
Another great Walter Hill film with a strong cast. Bronson, Coburn, and Martin are all favorites of mine. A depression-era street fighter hooks up with a compulsive gambler and a morphine addict. I've watched it multiple times over it's 40 plus year life. It's worth your time...
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Philo
Howdy Amazon Channel
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Charles Bronson
Chaney
James Coburn
Spencer "Speed" Weed
Jill Ireland
Lucy Simpson
Strother Martin
Poe
Margaret Blye
Gayleen Schoonover
Michael McGuire
Gandil
Felice Orlandi
Le Beau
Edward Walsh
Pettibon
Bruce Glover
Doty
Robert Tessier
Jim Henry
Frank McRae
Hammerman
Naomi Stevens
Madam
Lyla Hay Owen
Waitress
John Creamer
Apartment Manager
Fred Lerner
Caesare's Hitter
Jimmy Nickerson
Barge Fighter
Chuck Hicks
Speed's Hitter
Max Kleven
Pool Player
Bob Minor
Zack
M.C. Gainey
Party Guest at Mansion (uncredited)
Brion James
Man (uncredited)
Laura Misch Owens
Prostitute (uncredited)
Philip H. Lathrop
Director of Photography
Max Kleven
Stunt Coordinator
Walter Hill
Director
Roger Spottiswoode
Editor
Mike Fenton
Casting
Lawrence Gordon
Producer
Barry De Vorzon
Original Music Composer
Walter Hill
Screenplay
The Order
Memorie
Leonora in the Morning Light
Slice of Life
Tyson Fury vs. Derek Chisora III
The Godfather
The Dark Knight
Pulp Fiction
Seven Samurai
American History X
Léon: The Professional
City Lights
Gladiator
Taxi Driver
Double Indemnity
The Man Who Planted Trees
Phantom War
Alega Gang: Public Enemy No. 1 of Cebu
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Million Dollar Baby
Blade Runner
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Snatch
The Big Lebowski
Mulholland Drive
Hotel Rwanda
Out of the Past
Annie Hall
The Warriors
The Hustler
A Streetcar Named Desire
Touching the Void
Battleship Potemkin
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Hero
True Romance
Rings Untouchable
The Clutch of Power
Sunset Park
The French Connection
Lucky Number Slevin
Barton Fink
Dirty Harry
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Distant Lights
Jacob's Ladder
Eastern Promises
Two Alone
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Pocketful of Miracles
Suzhou River
Dance of the Drunk Mantis
The Street Player
Blue Story
A History of Violence
Irreversible
Field of Dreams
Straw Dogs
The Matrix Reloaded
Kung Fu Panda 2
The Sword
Mean Streets
Escape from New York
Creed II
Cool Runnings
Caché
The Tin Drum
Indochine
The Young Master
My Brother
The Victim
Murders Made to Order
Godha
Valkyrie
Insomnia
Tsotsi
King Kong
Breakdown
Police Story 3: Super Cop
We Are Marshall
Cars 3
Ice
Summer Storm
The Matrix Revolutions
Short Sharp Shock
48 Hrs.
The Thunder Kick
Psycho-Pass: Sinners of the System - Case.1 Crime and Punishment
The Salton Sea
Beverly Hills Cop II
Judgment Night
Killer Joe
Plan B
Ip Man: Kung Fu Master
The Man with the Golden Gun
Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Diamonds Are Forever
Shakedown
Fist of Fury 1991
Sommersby
Johnny Handsome
Bend It Like Beckham
Love Is a Funny Thing
One-Percenter
Rollerball
Killing Zoe
Kroko
Saw IV
The Four 3
Wilderness
Female Fight Squad
White Rabbit
The Flood
Marrying the Mafia
The Wedding Party
Another 48 Hrs.
The Trap
Redress
Anna Bond
Kill-Fist
The Specialist
The Penthouse
Young Adam
15 Minutes
Beverly Hills Cop III
Nuns on the Run
Kireedam
The Piano Lesson
Dheena
High Flying Bird
Marrying the Mafia 2
The Striking Truth
Solo mía
The Last Kung Fu Monk
Out of Bounds
Jamel Herring vs. Nick Molina
Eddie
Batman Forever
A Serbian Film
Glass Chin
The Kung Fu Cook
Na startu je delfín
Vivegam
Girls Under 21
Death Kappa
Marrying the Mafia 3: Family Hustle
Black Mask 2: City of Masks
Double Dragon
Gen-Y Cops
Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua
Ninjas vs. Zombies
Under Still Waters
The Dominator
D Company
Once Upon A Time - Reach for the Stars
Overtime 2
Versus
Derek Chisora vs. Joseph Parker
Derek Chisora vs. Kubrat Pulev
Living in the Dead of Night
Drago
BKFC 29: Montana 2
Joseph Diaz Jr vs. Mercito Gesta
Clinch
David Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade
My Soul Is a Witness
Abdul Khan vs. John Edwardson
Danny Quartermaine vs. Jack Bateson
Jack Catterall vs. Arnold Barboza Jr.
Diego Pacheco vs. Steven Nelson
Maliek Montgomery vs. Jeremy Hill
Warrior
The Enforcer
The Big Combo
Unleashed
Avengement
Paid in Full
Never Back Down
Out of the Furnace
Undisputed
Hard Target
High Rollers
Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown
Judgment Night
Hoodlum
Cut Throat City
Assassination Games
The Big Easy
Martial Law II: Undercover
Double Impact
The Quest
Jawbone
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
Martial Law
Salvable
Brick Mansions
Code of Silence
Only God Forgives
No Mercy
Oct 8, 1975
New York City, New York
