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The Rewatchables ·

Death Wish

year 1974decade 70sdirector Michael Winnergenre Actiongenre Thriller
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryan theme Big-Ass '70s Month
All 35 categories

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award · 55:56

Kersey’s vigilantism is thrill-seeking rather than revenge

Chris Ryan: A proposal that vigilantism may reduce crime draws audible skepticism.

Chris Ryan: Kersey is characterized as a thrill-seeker because he hunts random assailants instead of his family's attackers.

The film

Death Wish (1974)

Directed by Michael Winner · Action

94

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Charles Bronson Paul Kersey
Hope Lange Joanna Kersey
Vincent Gardenia Inspector Frank Ochoa
William Redfield Sam Kreutzer
Chris Gampel Henry Ives
Steven Keats Jack Toby
Stuart Margolin Ames Jainchill
Stephen Elliott Police Commissioner Dryer
Fred J. Scollay District Attorney Peters
Kathleen Tolan Carol Kersey-Toby
Jack Wallace Detective Hank
Robert Kya-Hill Officer Joe Charles
Jeff Goldblum Freak #1
Gregory Rozakis Freak #3 (with spraypaint-can)
Christopher Guest Officer Jackson Reilly
Hank Garrett Andrew McCabe
Helen Martin Alma Lee Brown
Olympia Dukakis Officer Gemetti
Marcia Jean Kurtz Receptionist

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

29:41

Most Rewatchable Scene

The roll-of-quarters defense and extended Tucson sequence

The roll-of-quarters defense and extended Tucson sequence

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:29:41Read transcript
  • The panel says viewers troubled by the opening assault can enter the film around the Tucson passage. — Chris Ryan
  • The roll-of-quarters defense is the first action scene singled out for replay value. — Chris Ryan
  • The Wild West saloon brawl and the broader Tucson sequence receive explicit nominations. — Chris Ryan
  • Kersey's first shooting and the later three-on-one alley shooting are nominated separately. — Bill Simmons
  • The subway double murder is nominated as Kersey grows more deliberate. — Bill Simmons
  • The subway-platform attack is discussed as Kersey deliberately raising the stakes and exposing himself as bait. — Bill Simmons
  • The final park-staircase shootout, chase, and police ultimatum form the closing scene candidate. — Chris Ryan
  • The Tucson passage is preferred as part of the film, while the last shootout is called the iconic choice. — Chris Ryan
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40:44

The most 1974 thing

Frightening New York, overcoats, magazine billboards, and long boozy lunches

Frightening New York, overcoats, magazine billboards, and long boozy lunches

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:40:44Read transcript
  • Frightening New York, a Korean War veteran hero, TWA travel, and the assault are cited as 1974 markers. — Bill Simmons
  • Wide overcoat collars and magazine billboards used to advance the plot are selected as period details. — Chris Ryan
  • Long, alcohol-heavy lunches are treated as distinctly 1974. — Chris Ryan
  • Serving liver with spaghetti prompts a separate period-food discussion. — Chris Ryan
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42:53

What’s Aged the Best?

The police-station atmosphere, media machinery, Bronson's physique, and Kersey's addiction to the hunt

The police-station atmosphere, media machinery, Bronson's physique, and Kersey's addiction to the hunt

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:42:53Read transcript
  • The old police-station atmosphere is selected as a durable period pleasure. — Bill Simmons
  • The film's still-current conflict over guns is judged to have aged well. — Bill Simmons
  • A study about repeat viewing leads to a discussion of familiar movies as relaxing comfort food. — Bill Simmons
  • Traumatized characters becoming catatonic and the detective seeing himself on a magazine cover receive separate mentions. — Bill Simmons
  • Bronson's physique and Kersey becoming addicted to the hunt are separate Aged Best choices. — Chris Ryan
  • The newspapers, television coverage, and press conferences are praised as a pre-internet media machine. — Chris Ryan
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45:51

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Wide-angle apartment imagery before the attack

Wide-angle apartment imagery before the attack

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:45:51Read transcript
  • The distorted wide-angle apartment shots before the attack are selected for creating dread. — Chris Ryan
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48:22

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

Jack, the son-in-law

Jack, the son-in-law

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:48:22Read transcript
  • Jack is selected because he seems detached from his wife's condition and his father-in-law's collapse. — Bill Simmons
  • His repeated use of 'Dad' for his father-in-law is criticized as a dated and confusing detail. — Chris Ryan
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51:26

What’s Aged the Worst?

The assault, warrantless policing, implausible privacy, emotional detachment, and 2018 remake

The assault, warrantless policing, implausible privacy, emotional detachment, and 2018 remake

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 00:51:26Read transcript
  • The graphic assault and the warrantless apartment search are explicit Aged Worst selections. — Chris Ryan
  • The panel says modern cameras would identify Kersey quickly. — Chris Ryan
  • The generic Vigilante nickname is criticized as unimaginative. — Chris Ryan
  • Kersey's abrupt return to work and failure to repaint the apartment are treated as signs of emotional collapse. — Chris Ryan
  • The discussion reports that Bronson rejected casting his wife Jill Ireland in the victimized role. — Chris Ryan
  • The 2018 remake is selected as another element that aged badly. — Chris Ryan
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54:40

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

Death Wish

Death Wish

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:54:40Read transcript
  • The original proposal The Sidewalk Vigilante is discussed, but the panel prefers Death Wish. — Bill Simmons
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55:12

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

The three apartment attackers, especially Goldblum

The three apartment attackers, especially Goldblum

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:12Read transcript
  • The three apartment attackers, especially Goldblum, are selected for overacting. — Chris Ryan
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55:56

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Kersey’s vigilantism is thrill-seeking rather than revenge

Kersey’s vigilantism is thrill-seeking rather than revenge

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:56Read transcript
  • A proposal that vigilantism may reduce crime draws audible skepticism. — Chris Ryan
  • Kersey is characterized as a thrill-seeker because he hunts random assailants instead of his family's attackers. — Chris Ryan
Share this discussion More The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award answers
59:17

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Jack Wallace

Jack Wallace

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:17Read transcript
  • Jack Wallace wins for his familiar supporting presence as Detective Hank. — Bill Simmons
  • Stephen Keats is discussed as another recognizable supporting actor with several film credits. — Bill Simmons
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1:00:05

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Stuart Margolin as Ames Jainchill

Stuart Margolin as Ames Jainchill

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:05Read transcript
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1:04:39

Apex Mountain

Bronson and vigilante films: yes

Bronson and vigilante films: yes

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:39Read transcript
  • The film is selected as Bronson's career Apex because it launched his peak star period. — Bill Simmons
  • Vigilante films are also judged to reach an apex here. — Bill Simmons
  • The Warriors is preferred for frightening New York movies. — Bill Simmons
  • Switchblades and repainting a crime-scene apartment orange receive additional playful Apex nominations. — Chris Ryan
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1:06:13

Cruise or Hanks?

Tom Hanks as Kersey

Tom Hanks as Kersey

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:06:13Read transcript
  • Hanks wins because the role requires softness before Kersey's violent turn. — Chris Ryan
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1:10:53

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

A prestige television prequel or contemporary remake

A prestige television prequel or contemporary remake

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:53Read transcript
  • Four sequels are noted as evidence of the property's long television afterlife. — Bill Simmons
  • A prestige prequel called The Architect is proposed around Kersey's earlier career and family life. — Chris Ryan
  • A contemporary serialized remake is proposed that gradually tracks Kersey's radicalization. — Bill Simmons
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1:13:19

Is This Movie Better With…?

Wayne Jenkins as Ochoa; Nell in the park

Wayne Jenkins as Ochoa; Nell in the park

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:19Read transcript
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1:14:14

Just One Oscar

Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:14Read transcript
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1:15:46

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Kersey's boxed gun and the People magazine cover

Kersey's boxed gun and the People magazine cover

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:15:46Read transcript
  • The presentation-case handgun is selected as memorabilia. — Bill Simmons
  • The in-film People magazine cover is an alternate memorabilia choice. — Bill Simmons
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1:16:07

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Bring groceries home yourself when the store is only two blocks away.

Bring groceries home yourself when the store is only two blocks away.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:07Read transcript
  • The first lesson is to carry groceries home when the store is only two blocks away. — Bill Simmons
  • A second lesson is to leave New York when conditions make departure feel necessary. — Chris Ryan
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1:16:43

Who Won the Movie?

Charles Bronson

Charles Bronson

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:16:43Read transcript
Podcast choices
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