‹ All movies
Death Wish poster

Death Wish

year 1974decade 70sdirector Michael Winnergenre vigilante action-thriller

94

IMDb
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

Death Wish | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryan theme Big-Ass '70s Month
Explore episodeClose episode

Producer credits not yet identified.

Most Rewatchable Scene

The roll-of-quarters defense and extended Tucson sequence lead the opening scene discussion.

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.
  • The roll-of-quarters defense is the first action scene singled out for replay value.
  • The Wild West saloon brawl and the broader Tucson sequence receive explicit nominations.
  • Kersey's first shooting and the later three-on-one alley shooting are nominated separately.
  • The subway double murder is nominated as Kersey grows more deliberate.
  • The subway-platform attack is discussed as Kersey deliberately raising the stakes and exposing himself as bait.
  • The final park-staircase shootout, chase, and police ultimatum form the closing scene candidate.
  • The Tucson passage is preferred as part of the film, while the last shootout is called the iconic choice.

The most "year the movie came out" thing

1974 is represented by 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.
  • Wide overcoat collars and magazine billboards used to advance the plot are selected as period details.
  • Long, alcohol-heavy lunches are treated as distinctly 1974.
  • Serving liver with spaghetti prompts a separate period-food discussion.

What’s Aged the Best?

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

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

What’s Aged the Worst?

The assault, warrantless policing, implausible privacy, emotional detachment, and 2018 remake have aged worst.

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

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

The rejected title The Sidewalk Vigilante is discussed but Death Wish remains superior.

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.

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

The segment debates vigilantism and distinguishes Kersey's thrill-seeking from revenge against his family's attackers.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:56Read transcript
  • A proposal that vigilantism may reduce crime draws audible skepticism.
  • Kersey is characterized as a thrill-seeker because he hunts random assailants instead of his family's attackers.

Apex Mountain

The movie is treated as Bronson's apex and a defining vigilante film.

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.
  • Vigilante films are also judged to reach an apex here.
  • The Warriors is preferred for frightening New York movies.
  • Switchblades and repainting a crime-scene apartment orange receive additional playful Apex nominations.

Cruise or Hanks?

Hanks wins because the role needs softness before the violent turn.

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

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

The hosts pitch 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.
  • A prestige prequel called The Architect is proposed around Kersey's earlier career and family life.
  • A contemporary serialized remake is proposed that gradually tracks Kersey's radicalization.

Is This Movie Better With…?

Wayne Jenkins as Ochoa and Nell in the park are the preferred additions.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:19Read transcript
  • Wayne Jenkins is proposed as Ochoa because he might appreciate Kersey reducing his workload.
  • Nell is proposed for one of the park scenes.

Just One Oscar

Herbie Hancock receives the single Oscar.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:14Read transcript
  • Herbie Hancock receives the episode's single Oscar.

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

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.
  • A second lesson is to leave New York when conditions make departure feel necessary.