JohnDoe
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The Mechanic (1972) - Trailer Included
The Mechanic
DVD Cover
Director:Michael Winner
Writer:Lewis John Carlino
Starring:Charles Bronson, Jan Michael Vincent, Keenan Wynn, Jill Ireland, Tak Kubota
“You ever heard the word “Mechanic” used outside its normal meaning.” – Arthur Bishop
“Yeah my father used it. It’s a dealer, a guy works game tables.” – Steve Mckenna
“Anything else?” – Arthur Bishop
“Yeah it’s a shooter, a hit-man” – Steve McKenna
The Mechanic is an exploratory character study of a hit-man. Tough and unforgiving, this smart action thriller delves into the sacrifices, methodology and motivation of the job. The mindset required for the procedural execution of a mark and simultaneously the deceptive dangers inherent in the work.
“Money is paid but that’s not the motive. It has to do with standing outside it all, on your own” – Arthur Bishop
Arthur Bishop (Charles Bronson) is the aging assassin for hire, a meticulous, professional who approaches each new assignment with dedicated precision. Planning and plotting logical ways to overcome logistical hazards and achieve the cleanest outcome with a minimum of residual evidence.
Opening with a glorious 15 minute sequence, completely dialogue free we get to observe the man in action, strategically completing the extermination of a victim. Tense and exciting, soon we begin to explore the day to day routines that go into achieving his goals.
“Murder is only killing without a license.” – Arthur Bishop
Living in isolation, removed from the world and unable to trust anyone Bishop keeps his mind and body in peak condition. Tedious hours of fight training, surveillance, and book study hone physical and mental strength.
Into this guarded environment enters Steve McKenna (Jan Michael Vincent), a rich kid from a mob family desperate to learn the rules of engagement from a master. Proving his lack of morality, reluctantly Bishop becomes mentor to a protégé, raising the stakes and challenging his focused existence.
“You always have to be dead sure. Dead sure or dead.” – Arthur Bishop
One of the original posters for the film
John Doe Says:
Marking the second collaboration between Charles Bronson and Director Michael Winner, The Mechanic is a brutal thriller, cold and clinical, oozing 70’s cool with tough guy lines and an iconic lead. Action with brains, the film excites with its tenacious stunt work and engrosses care of the restrained screenplay by Lewis John Carlino who also wrote the JD fave, Seconds.
Editor/Director and sometimes writer Michael Winner (Scorpio, Death Wish, The Jokers, Appointment with Death) was often criticised for his savage staging and vulgar sensibilities. Today however his flair for violence and grim sense of reality add up to an authentic edge, lifting what could have been a generic no-brainer into the cult arena.
The aforementioned speechless opening sets a tone of detailed atmosphere, establishes a cinematic tension that is adhered to throughout. The pacing is steady and each scene offers its own minor revelation, developing character while combining heart pounding sequences of confrontation and pursuit.
Granite faced Charlie Bronson (Once Upon A Time in The West, Death Hunt, The Valachi Papers, The Magnificent 7, The Great Escape, Indian Runner) plays Arthur Bishop with class. Bringing his tough physicality and stoic silence to make us believe this guy could kill you with ease. It’s a role that has a serious side allowing for an intelligence to come through that is often absent from other parts in the actors filmography.
Jan Michael Vincent (Big Wednesday, White Line Fever, Bite The Bullet, Defiance) would have been a mega star had he not blown his ride with drugs, booze and broads in real life. This is one of the early parts that put him on top of many a producers must have list in the decade. His delivery may be little stiff but he has a natural arrogance that chemically fuses with Bronson and makes for a memorable partnership.
Keep an eye out for CB’s wife Jill Ireland (The Valachi Papers) as a high priced hooker that tries to give Bishop an artificial bond that lets him believe he is tenderly loved.
Less contemplative than other classics in the genre like Leon: The Professional or Le Samourai. John Doe was massively influenced by this film as a teen, like the work of Don Siegel (Dirty Harry) or Robert Alderich (The Dirty Dozen) there is a dedication to not glamorising the subject. To discovering the morality lurking beneath fictional characters who spill blood, driven by the darkness that make men of action do what they do.
The DVD:
Transfer:1:85:1 Widescreen / 2.0 Dolby Digital
Extras:Trailer
Click below and appreciate the much discussed dialogue free Opening execution.
Here is a fan made clip for the film that gives an idea of tone.
Horrorphile
Celebrity Obsession
Film & TV on DVD
Seemed only right I review one of the films from last weeks minor marathon. Glad you dug the personal touch at the end.
Hi Tracy,
This is one of Bronson's more unsung gems....you need to be very careful with his films, because some of his later work stinks..(I'm not very big on the whole Death Wish thing, which was also directed by Winner)
A great place to start would be Sergio Leone's Once Upon A Time In The West. or the ensemble of The Magnificent 7.......his best dramatic role came at the end of his career in Sean Penn's The Indian Runner
Hope that gives you a place to start.