Hard Times (1975) User Reviews

Bronson remains an example of the consummate popular tough hero

[Nazi_Fighter_David · 7/10 · 5 April 2007]

Some consider Hard Times' Chaney to be Bronson's most fitting role, while others have found him offering nothing he had not previously done on screen…

But, for the most part, Hill's "Hard Times" brought new attention to Bronson and brought him respect from unexpected quarters… It also brought back Jill Ireland, as his romantic interest, and witnessed, in Bronson, a decided physical alteration appropriate to the film's time and place… The actor's somewhat graying hair was cut quite short… And, of course, his well-toned and defined musculature was, at fifty-four, still carefully enough maintained to go on public display, for the role…

Weaving outstandingly well into the plot, James Coburn and Strother Martin proved their pleasant personalities in their good acting...

The Mysterious Street Fighter

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 25 May 2016]

During the Great Depression, the mysterious drifter Chaney (Charles Bronson) befriends the promoter of illegal street fights Speed (James Coburn) and they go to New Orleans to make money fighting on the streets. Speed is welcomed by his mistress Gayleen Schoonover (Maggie Blye) and invites his former partner Poe (Strother Martin) to team-up with them. Meanwhile Chaney has a love affair with the local Lucy Simpson (Jill Ireland). Speed has a huge debt with the dangerous loan shark Doty (Bruce Glover) and borrows money to promote the fight of Chaney and the local champion Jim Henry (Robert Tessier), who is managed by the also promoter (Michael Mcguire). Casey wins the fight, they make a lot of money but Speed is an addicted gambler and loses his share in the dice table. But Doty wants his money back and Speed's only chance is Chaney accepts to bet his own money that he is saving and fight a winner that Gandil brought from Chicago. Will he accept the challenge?

"Hard Times" is a good film by Walter Hill with the reconstitution of the period of the Great Depression in New Orleans. Charles Bronson and James Coburn have top-notch performances in the role of a mysterious street fighter and a promoter of illegal fights respectively. The character Chaney is not developed and his origins and plans are not disclosed. Did he learn to fight in the prison? The question is not answered and the viewer only knows that he is an outstanding street fighter and loyal friend. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Lutador de Rua" ("Street Fighter")

It's great. You never hear of it either.....

[gazzo-2 · 8/10 · 15 January 2005]

.....when Bronson died a year and a half or so ago, no one seemed to bother mentioning this in his obits. Sure you heard about Death Wish or the Dirty Dozen or whatever, but this one--just gets filed under the 'routine Bronson vehicle' tag ala 'Breakout'. Which is a shame.

Rarely was he this good in anything--focused, believable, solid. You can half-ways even buy his beating Robert Tessier in a fight despite Tessier's obvious looming over Bronson by half a foot or so.

Scenery, setting, casting-Coburn, Strother, etc-all top notch. I also am always happy to see Tessier show up, be it in this or the Longest Yard or whatever, he was a pretty effective villain.

Check this out if you like Bronson or fight flix. Very well done.

***1/2 outta ****

Hard To Beat

[ttbrowne · 26 December 2000]

A depression era drifter (Bronson) gets involved in the world of street fighting for big bucks. Good vehicle for Bronson who, like Eastwood, can say more with a look than with 20 words. He's the epitome of a hard edged, down but not out, tough guy. James Coburn plays his seedy, gambliholic, money hungry, 'manager' to the hilt. If you're looking for an actor who can make it look easy, watch Coburn in this film. Strother Martin plays a mulatto, hop-head Doctor (kicked out of Med school) they hire to treat Bronsons wounds. This is a man's movie. And the grit is captured perfectly by Director Walter Hill who would go on to direct 48 HRS. Throw in love interest (and Bronson wife) Jill Ireland, New Orleans and The Mob and you've got one hellava film. Don't look for any phony special effects which would have to be included for today's audience, just good acting, plot and grit.

Loved this movie as a kid!

[mm-39 · 7/10 · 18 May 2021]

Loved this movie as a kid! So I watched as a teenager and it was still good. Well now as an adult I say Hard Times ages well. Hill is a great director so Hard Times is not corny, dated etc like many other older movies. The New Orleans setting, back ground actors, and story is the perfect mix for the lead and minor characters. Bronson plays the cool quiet character like Denzel Washington does today. Coburn is the fight promoter who gets into trouble and drive the story. Fighting during a depression to make a living is a great story. The fight scenes are believable, and mix well with the story. Worth watching. 7 stars.

Just perfect !! Why don't they make 'em like this anymore ??

[wmjahn · 10/10 · 14 July 2006]

Just a few days ago I saw HARD TIMES again, after I had seen it already twice some 10 to 20 years down the road. I did remember that I liked it a lot then, but I was not prepared to see how great it actually is! This is one of the movies that gets better with every viewing (liek THE OUTFIT with Bob Duvall)!! Glorious, just perfect and that in EVERY DEPARTMENT!! The OPENING SCENE is so beautiful, it makes you fall on your knees! A long shot of a slowly arriving train in beautifully landscape and run-down buildings of New Orleans, SUPERBLY shot in first rare camera-work, THE MAN standing framed in the door of one of the trains' wagons, the music (and what music, DeVORZONs probably best score, still unreleased = a shame!) starting slowly and you immediately realize here's a drifter, a taciturn MAN arriving in town. Charlie looks sad, run down, tired, WITHOUT mustache, not having had much luck in live. These are just the first 3 or 4 minutes, but one probably never will forget them. GREAT! Like many of the directors, who started their work in the 70ies, Walter HILL is no exception to the "rule", that most of them (if not all of them) made their BEST picture within their first 3 movies released (Carpenter: ASSAULT, Spielberg: DUEL & SUGARLAND EXPRESS, Coppola: THE CONVERSATION, M. Ritchie: PRIME CUT, John Boorman: POINT BLANK, ...): Wlater HILL made HARD TIMES as his debut and although he made some nice pictures later-on, none of his later pictures (the DRIVER, which is # 2 included) could beat HARD TIMES. It's - like EMPEROR OF THE NORTH POLE - a really beautifully shot study of depression-era America.

Bronson's muscles are - THE MAN being in his mid-50ies then !! - just unbelievable, slim, trim, knock-out hard, every ounce hardened flesh (check out CHATO'S LAND, too!), his acting is 100% on target (he does not look "bored", how some stupid critics wrote, but the way unlucky-in-life depression-era people would most likely look: sad), he is the ideal man for this role, and that just a year after he made DEATH WISH, which proves he was not out for an easy follow-up movie and certainly far away from getting as type-cast as Golan & Globus made him from Death Wish II (1982) onwards (sigh & weep).

JAMES COBURN is great, too, maybe slightly overdoing his sleaziness, but great nevertheless. Jill Ireland has her usual bit-part, she's fine & OK, but not outstanding, whereas nearly all the other character parts are just that: outstanding! Nobody plays himself into the foreground, but everybody fits his part 100%. You'll hardly find any other movie, where the whole cast is as great as in this one.

The STORY is simple but true! I just can't stand those fancy elaborated twist-here twist-there stories , straight forward simple but high-crafted storytelling, one of THE craftsmanship's of US cinema in the 40ies to 60ies (Ford, Mann, Huston) is brought here to another peak! The Camera-work is outstanding, too,a s is Barry DEVORZON's superb bluegrass/jazz/hillbilly score (release it, please!), which is probably just half an hour of music, but certainly deserved a full or at least half-CD release.

In short: BREATHTAKING and certainly one of Charlies best movies of the 70ies (when he made all of his best movies), truly at the same level as MECHANIC & CHATO'S LAND, beating (a little) BREAKOUT and MR. MAJESTYC.

10 out of 10! Go and see yourself!

Role tailor made for Charles Bronson

[rbrtfourie · 6/10 · 25 August 2020]

I bought a 4 movie collection DVD set of Charles Bronson movies. I bought it as I wanted to watch "The Valachi Papers." The other three movies in the set are: "Stone Killer", "Breakout" and "Hard times". "Valachi Papers" turned out a disappointment for me and I will not watch it again in a hurry - if ever. "Stone Killer" was more palatable and "Breakout" was entertaining. "Hard Times" was by far the best of the lot. The word understated comes to mind. A thoroughly enjoyable film, in my opinion, Charles Bronson at his best. A pity though that there was the obligatory blasphemy (about three times). Some moderate foul language. No nudity. A film I would watch again. This story and character suited Charles Bronson to the tee. Overall support acting well chosen and enhances the story line.

Not Only Brilliant, But Honest and Authentic In Every Way

[Dan1863Sickles · 9/10 · 2 March 2010]

A desperate hobo boxes to make some extra money in the Depression. No love story, no cute little kids, no happy ending, no redemption. Just a hard man doing what he has to in order to survive. But on his terms.

To understand why HARD TIMES is a masterpiece, compare it to other films from around this time.

BONNIE AND CLYDE, THE STING, and PAPER MOON were all massive box office hits, set in the Depression. All three movies "strain" for a sense of desperate characters in a dog-eat-dog world, but every one of them cops out with Hollywood glitz and glamor. Here's giggly Warren Beatty pretending he knows what it's like to be poor. And here's Faye Dunaway, the dead-end girl, wearing scrumptious couture while she robs banks. Here's Robert Redford, the ultimate preppy blonde pretty boy, delicately hobnobbing with down-to-earth "Negroes" and glowing with his own virtue. Here's Ryan O'Neil, tough as nails and a real fighter, but hey, it's okay -- he's got a cute little girl along for the ride! One close up of Charles Bronson's face takes you to a place no other Depression picture dares to go. The ugly violence and the hopelessness in this film are so real that they actually build up the character even more than Bronson's natural authority and physical presence. It's the perfect vehicle for the perfect star.

Bronson is enough -- but there's so much more. James Coburn as the manager Speed, so dishonest yet completely likable and in his own way a real hero. Maggie Blye and Jill Ireland, both sexy and authentic as Depression women -- Jill too sickened by failure to ever love again, Maggie too aware of how short life is to ever let a minute go by without a laugh. Either one of them could wipe the floor with "Bonnie" from Bonnie and Clyde. Strother Martin as Poe, the dope addict cut man who adds his own humor, sadness and resignation to a movie utterly packed to the brim with memorable characters.

This is the most powerful and honest movie ever made about hard times.

Probably the quietest best performance ever.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 5 December 2021]

It's more than just a cellular to communicate for gloveless fighter Charles Bronson in this depression era drama that has him taking over in scenes by barely saying a word with James Coburn and "Cool Hand Luke's" Strother Martin. Coburn is his more bombastic representative and Martin, delightfully slimy, is dress like a mobster and talks like a bootlegger as he tends to Bronson's wounds. This slice of life drama is more atmosphere than story, but a well-written script and good performances makes it very memorable.

A great New Orleans setting really adds to the atmosphere, and in some of the photography, there are some terrific angles that show Bronson and Coburn sitting and talking as a New Orleans Street dominates the visual. 1975 was not a big year for blockbuster films and Martin certainly could have been considered for supporting actor for his performance here. Bronson is excellent but it's difficult to pick out a scene to represent as terrific acting when they are not really talking all that much.

Jill Ireland and Margaret Blye are the women in Bronson and Coburn's life respectively, and there's a few nice subtle moments between the real life married Bronson and Ireland. Naomi Stevens has an amusing small role as a flashy madame. The fight scenes get to be pretty brutal and it's clear that Martin's character has some ties with the local criminal element, led by Bruce Glover.

You don't really get to know about Bronson outside of his flying fists, but his character is so quiet that you wouldn't expect him to reveal much anyway. In spite of a shell of a plot other than Bronson's desperation to survive in a tough world, this ends up being quite memorable because even though there's not a strong story, the atmosphere draws the audience in and makes them feel like they've gone back to the Great Depression where survival was key.

Bronson's Best

[salignac2 · 10/10 · 23 January 2006]

Of all the movies I have seen Mr. Bronson in "Hard Times" stands out to me. He should have been given an Oscar for this time piece.

We currently have Spiderman,Batman and Superman etcetera, as the contemporary super heroes of our day. Charles Bronson as Chaney outdoes them all without ever leaving the ground. You feel when watching this movie that you are right there in New Orleans. Charles Bronson as Chaney is hard as nails and yet you feel as if he could be your best friend. If you needed bullies to be knocked down you would want Chaney on your side.

Many times I have heard the question "what is a real man?". Chaney is I think the perfect picture of what a real man is, or at least the way most good men would want to be. Chaney is fearless,shrewd,compassionate.I could go on and on. Oh he also like the ladies.

I have seen this movie more times than I can count and I know I will watch it again. Whenever I recommend a Bronson flick this is the one. The rest of the cast was chosen to perfection, I could mention each. Just see the film you will not regret it.

Bronson plays "The Streetfighter" during the Depression in New Orleans

[Wuchakk · 7/10 · 14 March 2014]

"Hard Times" was Walter Hill's 1975 directorial debut. He also wrote the screenplay. His preferred (more accurate and better) title was "The Streetfighter," as it was/is known in Europe. Hill went on to do more popular films like "The Warriors" (1979) and "The Long Riders" (1980). The reason I was interested in checking out "Hard Times" is because it had garnered a bit of a cult reputation over the years (although not as cult-ish as "The Warriors").

THE PLOT: Charles Bronson plays a poor drifter/loner, Chaney, during the Depression who travels by boxcar to New Orleans. He spies an illegal bare-knuckle fight in a warehouse and offers his fighting talents to a fast-talking gambler, Speed (James Coburn). Chaney proves himself a formidable and profitable fighter, but Speed can't hold on to money because of his gambling addiction and is in constant trouble with the mob.

One thing that's amazing is that Bronson was 53 freakin' years-old when the film was made, yet physically looks better than most guys half that age. Bronson's beautiful wife, Jill Ireland, plays his love interest (as usual) and was 39 years old at the time.

Although very little is revealed in the film about Chaney's past (we know he had experience as a coal miner), it becomes fairly certain that he had a lot of experience with bare knuckle fighting. We know this because he is supremely confident of his skills despite his age. Chaney is not big or ultra-muscular, but he's fearless, calmly self-controlled, doesn't bleed easy and expertly knows how to READ other fighters. Chaney's weakness is that he's a loner and doesn't talk much, hence he NEEDS Speed to do the talking' for him and set up matches in order to make money from his uncommon skills.

I first saw "Hard Times" two years ago and thought it was decent, but I didn't quite get the 'great cult film' hoopla. Perhaps I wasn't prepared for the ugly/dirty Depression era sets and New Orleans locations; or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for a fight film. I just saw it again, however, and appreciate it more.

"Hard Times" has numerous memorable scenes, lines and characters. I was entertained throughout its 90 minute runtime -- grinning, frequently busting out laughing and even clapping (huh?). Speaking of the runtime, I love it when pictures aren't needlessly overlong.

Here's one sample of some of the great dialogue: Chaney's date asks him what he does for a living. Chaney simply responds that he makes money by knocking people down. She mockingly asks, "What does it feel like to knock somebody down?" He brilliantly replies, "It makes me feel a hell of a lot better than it does him." Although Chaney is depicted as a likable, honorable, bold and compassionate person, his downfall is that he is unable to make long-term commitments, preferring to be "free" and mysterious. ***SPOILER ALERT! -- THE REMAINDER OF THIS PARAGRAPH AND THE NEXT TWO*** Because of this flaw he ultimately loses his beautiful girl to someone else. He then leaves New Orleans as mysteriously as he came, albeit now a streetfighting legend and carrying a lot of cash.

The ending leaves many questions to ponder: What prompts Chaney to change his mind and try to save Speed by taking on an expert fighter from Chicago? Didn't Speed dig his own pit? Chaney himself angrily told Speed that he didn't owe him anything. Perhaps, as Chaney laid on his bed under the ceiling fan in his dump of an apartment, he realized that maybe he DID owe Speed for granting him the opportunity to utilize his talents and make money. In other words, without Speed he wouldn't have had his success. Perhaps he decided he wanted to make even MORE money in one final fight before leaving New Orleans. Possibly, it dawned on him that, although Speed is certainly to blame for his own problems, Chaney realized that he had fallen into his OWN-dug pits in the past and needed someone to help him get out. Or maybe he realized that, in all the world, he had less friends than can be counted on three fingers and felt it was his duty to help Speed (and Poe) out.

Regardless of his reasons, the ending expertly shows Chaney's loyal and generous character. He may be a man of few words, but he certainly CARED about those connected to him, even if they were severely flawed addicts and con-artists. Heck, he even LOVED his cat!

***END SPOILER***

FINAL WORD: "Hard Times" is worthy of its cult film status. Enjoy.

GRADE: B

This film n Charles Bronson sure was something man.

[Fella_shibby · 9/10 · 14 November 2019]

I first saw this when i was a kid in the late 80s on a vhs. Had heard a lot about this movie from my grandfather and was dying to revisit this film for a long time.

Revisited it few days back.

To see Bronson in such a remarkable physical condition is truly inspiring. He was about 54 that time.

The film has a western n country feel to it, soothing n without the hustle and bustle. The music too is simple.

A man named Chaney (Charles Bronson) arrives somewhere in Louisiana during the Great Depression. We don't kno whether he is a hobo, an ex convict, a deserter or an asylum seeker but he sure is a freighthopper n a very good fighter.

He comes upon a street fighting competition n after observing a bare knuckled fight, he approaches the manager (James Coburn) of the losing fighter n asks the manager to set a fight for him but cautions the manager that he needs only enough money to fill a few in-betweens before moving on.

Before his first fight the opponent finds our hobo a little too old to be participating in such kinda fights to which our hobo responds to him with his knockout punch.

In one of the competition in the bayou side, our hero is cheated n not given his winning amount.

This one is replicated in Christian Bale's Out of Furnace where Woody Harrelson's character doesn't give the winning amount to Casey Affleck's character.

A bad image of the Southern sportsmanship.

Our hobo gets to fight Jim Henry (Robert Tessier) a well built, grinning, head-butting skinhead.

The film has good fights minus the blood.

The elaborate period recreations is top notch.

Inspite of the Great Depression, the debts n the gambling habits, James Coburn's character is seen sitting in his open balcony with his feet upwards.

Now that is something so relaxing n carefree attitude.

Thrilling and agreeable movie about fights with colorful cinematography , evocative score and terrific performance

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 28 October 2021]

Set in 1936 , a strong silent streetfighter , Charles Bronson who has the title role , is a tough man who drifts here and there , he only has 6 dollars and the knowledge that he can fight . Two-twisted Bronson is called Chaney, and joins with Speed : Charles Coburn , 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 . They arrive into a new town in those days words didn't say much. It was tough in the streets, but Bronson was tougher. New Orleans, 1933. In those days words didn't buy much.

A competently made film , its is economically and carefully shot . Concerning the adventures of misfortunes of a drifter turned illegal prize-fighter during the Depression Era , as Charles Bronson forms a team of hustlers to sting some local hoods in New Orleans, 1933 . Here nothing is overemphasized and the thud of fist on bone speaks for itself . This film was loved by John Wayne , in fact when The Duke saw Hard Times (1975) , he wanted Hill to helm his last film, The Shootist (1976) , but Hill refused because he didn't want to see his hero Wayne dying in a movie. This release is far and away one of the Charles Bronson's best protagonist vehicles . In it performs a bare-kuckle-less fighter who teams up with a couple of hustlers , James Coburn and Strother Martin , all of them give splendid interpretations . Bronson is well accompanied by an excellent cast as his real wife Jill Ireland who is surprisingly good as his love interest , along with Strother Martin as a fake doctor , Margaret Blye , Michael McGuire , Frank McRae , Orlandi and Robert Tessier , among others . Highlight of the movie results to be the stunning cinematography by great cameraman Philip Lathrop , perfectly distinguished by some of the best color photography in a very long while.

Hard Times or Streetfighter was compellingly made by Walter Hill at his best first period . Under Walter Hill's firm , actors give their best acting in ages . The veteran craftsman Hill is a good writer , producer , filmmaker who has directed a lot of films of all kinds of genres , working from late 60s , early 70s to nowadays . As he has directed action movies as Hard times , The driver , Southern comfort , The warriors , Extreme prejudice, 48 Hours , Another 48 hours , Last man standing , Johnny Handsome , Undisputed. Science fiction: Supernova . Western : Geronimo , American legend, Wild Bill . Long riders . Comedy : Brewster's millions . Terror : Tales of the Crypt . Musical : Crossroads . Rating 7.5/10. Better than average . The picture will appeal to Charles Bronson and James Coburn fans . Worthwhile seeing .

Not bad old-time machismo that Bronson gets away with - but say, Van Damme wouldn't..

[ozjeppe · 5/10 · 21 October 2008]

Early Walter Hill outing is a very straightforward, simple story of drifter/street fighter Bronson who teams up with small-time promoter Coburn in New Orleans in the '30s. Firm, small-scale movie-making, but mainly just old-time, "no more dialog than necessary" machismo entertainment of the kind that Bronson gets away with - but say, Van Damme wouldn't, for instance... And honestly, Bronson wasn't much more of an actor than an action prop/symbol of the same kind!

Not bad, though if you're into the genre; fine production standards and good performances from Coburn and Strother Martin. It does however sag seriously between its obvious highlights: The impressive, pulse-raising bare-knuckle fights!

5 out of 10 from Ozjeppe.

Some of the best fight scenes

[louis-king · 31 March 2005]

Great role for Bronson.

Compare Bronson's fighting style with almost any other fight movie like Kirk Douglas in 'Champion' or Stallone in the 'Rocky' series. Bronson slips and ducks his opponent's punches like a real fighter does, putting as much effort into not getting hit as he does hitting the other guy. Any fighter taking the hits that most movie boxers take would be unconscious or dead in a matter of minutes, and even sluggers like Rocky Marciano and George Frazier were constantly moving, never offering a good target.

This depression era movie is similar in flavor to the Lee Marvin Ernest Borgnine vehicle 'Emperor of The North'. Both movies have unsentimental, tough, taciturn heroes who communicate more with glances and gestures.

The Original Fight Club? More In-Between

[Bogmeister · 9/10 · 4 January 2006]

With this, his first directing job, Walter Hill showed his tendency for archetypal characters (see the later "The Driver" - where the characters didn't even have proper names - and, of course, "The Warriors"). Here, Bronson is 'The Fighter'...Coburn is 'The Hustler'...Martin is 'The Addict-Medic'...and so forth. Bronson's final opponent is simply named 'Street' while the big guy who damages The Hustler's automobile with a big hammer is just called 'Hammerman.' They all present striking, impressive figures; you don't easily forget any of them. They stride or shuffle through a page of history, in this case Depression-era New Orleans, nicely atmospheric as shown here. Times are hard. People need to be hard, as well. One way to make good money is in pick up fights, street fights in warehouses, on docks or, in one case of rich atmosphere, in the bayou.

Chaney, aka The Fighter, as played by Bronson, true to director Hill's method of archetypes, first appears on a slow moving train from places unknown. We never learn anything of his past history, even though there's about 50 years worth there. We learn only of his incredible hitting ability in the current time frame of the story's progression. In a way, Bronson was born to play this role: he's certainly not a young man here but he looks so tough we have no trouble believing he can wipe out men 20 years his junior. With the archetype of The Fighter, the story plays out like some Depression times fable, the tale of a mystery man or warrior arrived in a city to astonish all the onlookers with his formidable fighting abilities. The fights themselves are quite memorable; the viewer has the good fortune to witness these with the shouting hordes of betting men from the safety of a couch at home. We're a part of the spectacle, a guilty participant in a brutal spectator sport, a much more gritty version of modern boxing, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

The rest of the cast is super: Coburn was never better as Speed 'The Hustler' and Chaney's front-man/manager. It's mostly through him that we hear all the phrases and quips common to those places & times, and Coburn delivers them all with a gusto & panache few are capable of. You really believe he was born as the 19th century was ending, grew up in the twenties and adjusted to the Depression accordingly. You'll always remember his retorts to the bayou residents and his last insult about fish to Gandil, the bigshot. Speed and Chaney need each other and their relationship is another strong point; Speed is all about the money, sure, but you sense he has a strong admiration for Bronson's power and quiet nobility (this is confirmed at the end). As Poe, Strother Martin created & added another indelible character to the long list on his resume. Other actors would've been saddled with some of the odd dialog he has to deliver, but he just breezes through it like a song. Glover (Crispin's dad) is also very good as a loan shark, as is McGuire as the rich Gandil. Mention should also be made of the top two fighters (Tessier & Dimitri). The film needed characters who could pose a threat to Chaney and these two looked just as tough. Now if only Chaney would explain more about those 'in-betweens'... but he doesn't say much.

Really, a Pretty Good Film

[Mike_Yike · 7/10 · 21 November 2018]

Charles Bronson was an extremely popular actor for a good decade and a half beginning in the early 1970s. He actually was not a particularly good actor, in my opinion, and those movies were not all that good. They certainly were not great works of art. Bronson's characters had to be a certain type or he wouldn't be cast. I think the word I'm looking for is "stoic".

A lot of that isn't true about Hard Times. It's still true concerning a stoic Bronson, but not true for a lot of the rest of it. More effort was put into the movie when compared to Bronson vehicles like Mr. Majestyk or Death Wish II. It doesn't hurt to have James Coburn and Strother Martin in there with you carrying the load. In fact, with a little imagination it could be argued that it was more Coburn's movie than it was Bronson's.

Anyway, I saw it in the theater all those years ago as a 24 year-old guy. I have seen it on TV several times since. I never for a second thought I was watching something the equal to Streetcar Named Desire, but Hard Times has always kept my attention, first movie frame to last.

Brilliant piece of Work

[p_empi · 10/10 · 26 June 2003]

I first saw Hard Times with my Father when it was title "Streetfighter". I was 16 years of age.

Ever since then I would have to say that it still is my favourite Movie, mainly because of the character that Charles Bronson portrays. The Movie basically begins with Bronson (Chaney) stepping of a freight train. If you study his face before he steps of the train you can basically see the hard if not troubled life he has lived up to that moment. One wonders how many of these situations that is about to confront him, has he already been through.

Throughout the film Bronson portrays a loner who knows what he has to do and he does it with complete style. Chaney is a man on a mission and James Coburn (Speed) is the perfect person to assist him. Although he does not show hard earned money enough respect, Speed does know how to make it and he see's Chaney as his biggest chance.

Strother Martin is perfectly casted as Poe, Chaneys mender, although most of the time Poe is never required.

The fight scenes are brilliant and can be watched time and time again, mainly due to Chaneys style, confidence and skill. The last two fights really show his skill, not only as a hitter but as a blocker and tactical fighter.

The final match-up draws out to be a fight of complete tactics with many moments of respect shown between the two fighters.

The "In-betweens" are very interesting and fall into place around Chaneys lifestyle.

The setting of the Movie is perfect, and the remainder of the cast play their parts precisely.

I think Chaney is the type of person most men would want to be. Strong, confident with no strings attached. Look carefully at the condition of Bronson's physique at age 54!

I wonder if Poe and Speed do go back and take care of Chaneys Cat!

Round Numbers Are Amateurish

[sunsetstrip-37579 · 6/10 · 18 May 2018]

Solid James Colburn, Charles Bronson movie I'd give a 6.7. Very, very good. Surrounded by a great supporting cast including the legendary Strother Martin.

Worth the watch.

A truly great movie.

[dbush67565 · 10/10 · 18 March 2005]

This is one of my favorite films. There is a quality about it that touches the soul. Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Strother Martin are superb. Coburn is the character. The story is great, the acting is great and the music is great, particularly the closing piece of blue grass. I saw Hard Times when it first came out and it never left me. I'm not even sure why. Perhaps because all the characters, even the antagonists are depicted as real humans and not caricatures. For example, the loan sharks mean business but aren't bloodthirsty. They want their money and do what they have to to collect. Interestingly they seem genuinely pleased with the resolution of their problem. Even the film's "heavy" has the decency to pay due homage to the skill of his nemesis. And once business is concluded personal relationships are renewed. In my mind this is a true classic.

"I knock people down."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 27 November 2015]

This makes three times now I've seen Charles Bronson portray a boxer. Each of those times occurred roughly a decade apart in his career, the first one going back to a 1952 episode of 'The Roy Rogers Show' if you can believe it, in a story titled 'Knockout'. Then in 1961, he appeared in an episode of 'One Step Beyond' as an American boxer in London during the Second World War, that story was 'The Last Round'. It was in that show that Bronson appeared the most muscular, almost as if he was using steroids at the time, though I have no way of knowing that. In "Hard Times", Bronson appears to have slimmed back down somewhat, though still looking formidable for his age of fifty four at the time.

Bronson and James Coburn make a good pair, two iconic actors who made their most impressive marks in the Seventies. I like the kind of character Bronson gets to play here, a loner type who calls his own shots with integrity and supreme self confidence. It's that 'take it or leave it' attitude that makes him both antagonistic and endearing at the same time. The first time I heard (back in the day) that he was married to actress Jill Ireland I didn't know what to make of it, but with the hindsight of years gone by I believe I get the chemistry now.

With quite a bit of positive reviews here, I can't say that I found the film to be all that compelling or riveting as some suggest. It's a pretty standard story of getting by during the hard times of the Depression era with the single talent one might possess, be it Speed's (Coburn) con-man finesse or Chaney's (Bronson) fists. I'm not sure why Strother Martin's Poe character was even needed here. Unless I missed it, I don't think he ever served his purpose as a cut man in Chaney's corner.

One thing I'd do if I had a say so would be to reverse the opponents that promoter Gandil (Michael McGuire) had for Chaney to go up against. Street (Nick Dimitri) didn't particularly impress in size or ruggedness to wind up in Gandil's stable for the final match against Chaney. I would have saved the brawler Jim Henry (Robert Tessier) for that contest, especially after putting holes in a wall with his head as football brute Shokner in "The Longest Yard" made the year before. He was just that much more intimidating than any other fighter in the story.

Great Bronson flick.

[Peach-2 · 9/10 · 19 December 1998]

Hard Times is one of Charles Bronson and Walter Hill's best films. This movie is rugged and has a great feel. Bronson looks in great shape in the film and the direction from Hill is terrific. In the genre of street-fighting pictures, this one ranks as one of the best.

A good but not great movie, yet its fan base grows bigger every year...

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 15 June 2021]

A street-fighter of brawn but very few words in 1930s New Orleans picks up a manager and a physician before taking part in illegal bareknuckle bouts in the area with big money on the line. Walter Hill's debut as director, which he also co-wrote with Bryan Gindoff and Bruce Henstell from Gindoff and Henstell's original treatment, doesn't appear to be much at first, but "Hard Times" has a way of seeping quietly into the subconscious until you find yourself replaying scenes over in your head. This is due in great part to Charles Bronson's laconic performance in the lead; he doesn't speak much, yet he's amazingly straightforward in his actions rather than an enigma (it's a fully-realized characterization). James Coburn is perhaps too pushy and gregarious, and Strother Martin and Jill Ireland haven't much to do in support, but the fights are amazing (despite the overacting extras). A good movie, not a great one, though fans of the picture will swear otherwise. **1/2 from ****

Strong on action...rather weak otherwise.

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 30 July 2022]

"Hard Times" made a lot of money. After all, in 1975 Charles Bronson was a top box office draw...whether he was paired with James Coburn or not.

The story is set during the Depression. 'Speed' (Coburn) is a guy who makes money managing fighters...but not the typical profesional boxers. Instead, his fights are underground ones and the money they earn is winner-take-all. Unfortunately, Speed is an idiot when it comes to money and he's got some very mean folks on his heels. His possible salvation comes in the form of Chaney (Bronson)...a bareknuckle fighter who is a bit too old...but sure is a tough old guy.

I enjoyed this movie but also was frustrated by it at the same time. This is because Chaney is very closed mouth and you never get to know him during the course of the film. There also isn't a lot of chemistry between him and the characters around him. I think giving Chaney a personality would have greatly helped the film. Instead of being a story about people, at times it just felt like a film about folks punching each other.

Great Bronson Movie

[roblenihan · 2 December 2003]

Saw this movie when it first came out and I loved it. I watched it again last night and my opinion has not changed at all. It's just a fabulous movie and definitely my favorite Bronson flick. Fine work from Bronson, James Coburn and Strother Martin. The dialog is sharp and the fight scenes are excellent. This is no "Rocky" fantasy, but a tough look at a brutal game. The film really conveys what a desperate place Depression-era America was. The final fight scene is great. No roaring crowds, no dramatic music, just two tough guys pounding away at each other. Coburn is great and Strother Martin has some of the best lines in the picture. ("Some are born to fail...") Also we get to see some great New Orleans locations,which are painful to look at now in light of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.