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Death Wish [VHS]

Charles Bronson (Actor), Hope Lange (Actor), Michael Winner (Director, Writer) Rated:

Format: VHS Tape

4.6 2,837 ratings

IMDb6.9/10.0

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December 7, 1992

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Death Wish

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Format	NTSC
Contributor	Chris Gampel, Michael Winner, Dino De Laurentiis, Stephen Elliott, Jack Wallace, Hal Landers, Steven Keats, Wendell Mayes, Bobby Roberts, William Redfield, Fred J. Scollay, Brian Garfield, Charles Bronson, Robert Kya-Hill, Hope Lange, Gerald Wilson, Vincent Gardenia, Stuart Margolin, Kathleen Tolan See more
Language	English, Italian, German
Runtime	1 hour and 33 minutes
UPC	031504087747

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Language ‏ : ‎ English, Italian, German
Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.32 x 4.19 x 1.12 inches; 6.13 ounces
Director ‏ : ‎ Michael Winner
Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 33 minutes
Release date ‏ : ‎ December 7, 1992
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ October 26, 2006
Actors ‏ : ‎ Charles Bronson, Hope Lange, Vincent Gardenia, Steven Keats, William Redfield
Studio ‏ : ‎ Paramount
Producers ‏ : ‎ Bobby Roberts, Dino De Laurentiis, Hal Landers
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00000F354
Writers ‏ : ‎ Brian Garfield, Gerald Wilson, Michael Winner, Wendell Mayes

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4.6 2,837 ratings

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4.6 out of 5

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Asian American History Buff

This was Bronson's FIRST "Death Wish" Movie, and has become a CLASSIC. I like it.

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2024

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Everyone involved with this Movie did a GREAT JOB, from the Writer, who created the Story, to the Producers, Directors, Cameramen, Make-Up Artists, Location Manager, Costume Designers, Hair Stylists, Make-Up Artists, Dialog Coaches, Film Editors, and so on... just a Very Good Job, as this Movie pulled me into the Story, and made my Feelings go UP, DOWN, and EVERYWHERE ELSE... took me for a Real Roller-Coaster Ride... and (I'm not going to SPOIL it for you), but I did like the Ending. I rate this Movie 5-STARS, and will continue to watch it many more times, as Time goes by. I really liked Bronson's Performance here, so, for me, this was well worth the Price of Viewing.

One person found this helpful

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Littlebooboothundercrash

DVD

Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2024

Great!

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2024

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This movie is still such an eye-opener

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California Dreaming

A Balloon and a Gun!

Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2015

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If you watch an episode of "In Living Color" (ILC), Jim Carrey was featured in a hilarious skit that was called "Make a Death Wish." It parodied this film, and the "Make a Wish Foundation," at the same time. In that skit, he played Charles Bronson, where the character (I believe) was giving a dying child that child's last wish, just like the foundation in which he was ridiculing. In it, Mr. Carrey had a really funny line, holding up props and saying something like, "To grant a wish, all you need is a balloon and a gun." Precious.

But there are some characters in this film, in particular many of the muggers, who act just like some of the shady characters in the film "Hollywood Shuffle" (HS) that were acting in the movie-in-a-movie, in particular "Tommie." I wonder if Robert Townsend used some of the footage from this film as inspiration for that very funny film? But there were quite a few actors in HS that were also in ILC, and so there may have been some kind of connection there.

And if you watch this film today, you'll notice some other characters that will make you laugh: Jeff Goldblum from film, and Lawrence Hilton Jacobs from "Welcome Back Kotter," in particular. At least I got a few laughs with these characters, especially Mr. Goldblum as he was so young when this was filmed. But you also should consider some interesting coincidences as well, such as the fact that "Death Wish" (DW) was filmed almost exactly 10 years before Bernard Goetz introduced his own version of vigilante justice on a very similar subway in New York. I wonder if Mr. Goetz was influenced by this film? You have to think that he was.

While watching, I did think about the idea that so-called modern-day "civilized" man has made things worse nowadays, with regards to crime. Back in the 1800s, probably everyone carried a gun, and the wannabe criminals knew it. Therefore, criminals were less likely to commit crime. As a matter of fact, there are some towns today that REQUIRE everyone to carry a gun, and crime rates tend to be very low in those towns. But in DW, Charles Bronson wonders about this idea himself with an exchange with his son or perhaps son-in-law. (I have to admit, that relationship was a little confusing to me here). But I do think that American society has gone too far protecting criminals and I wonder what the end game will be on that.

I haven't seen this film in probably 20 years, and this is the first time I'm seen it in widescreen HD. The digital transfer is stunning, and it's always fun to go back and watch some good or great older films that have been fully restored. And the video quality here through streaming does not disappoint.

Well, there are a lot of contrived scenarios here, scenarios which allow Mr. Bronson to run into many criminals. Even in New York, in the 70s, I can't believe that anyone would run into that many criminals in such a short span of time. So while I surely enjoyed this film, I can't go 5, but I'll go with a strong 4. Just remember, kids: If you're going to party, don't forget to bring a balloon. But more importantly, don't forget to bring that gun.

5 people found this helpful

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Quano McCoy

Love the movie death wish

Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2024

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One of the best movie i seen

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Hodges Rhythm

Bronson Is The Man

Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024

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Death Wish is the vigilante movie for the ages. Classic Bronson.

One person found this helpful

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Badazz

The Least of the Apostles-with a .32

Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2013

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Death Wish is one of those rare stories where the film is much richer than the book. Most stories, indeed the best ones, take a story from myth or scripture and apply it to a modern setting to further expound upon the conditions of the day. In this case, the story of the Apostle Paul is re-told to counter the growing crime and social disorder problems of the 1970s.

Death Wish tells the journey of Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) a wealthy, out-of-touch liberal in New York City who turns to be a vigilante for justice. While working in his high-paying, high-status office one day, he gets a life-changing call. His daughter has been raped and his wife mortally beaten by random buglers. After his wife dies and his daughter succumbs to insanity, Kersey blindly wanders about his life and work. Alone and depressed, he watches TV in his darkened apartment with the vandalism from the attack still visible in the walls. Then he is sent to Arizona, where he meets a "real American" cowboy type. This "Ananias" restores the sight of "Paul" and he returns to New York where he crusades against low-level, violent street crime.

His choice of victims and the movie's portrayal of the muggers is critical to supporting the Crusading Apostle Paul theme and add to the movie's powerful message. Paul Kersey doesn't seek out the men who attacked his family. The burglars-led by a very young Jeff Goldblum-aren't seen again. Instead Paul Kersey goes alone into the streets seeking out muggers and slaying them. In one disturbing and tense scene the Kersey sets up and kills two muggers on a train. The muggers deliberately look like a darkened, dirtier version of 60's era counterculture icons Captain America and Billy from the film Easy Rider.

Paul's stand against mugging and street crime resonates with the people of New York City, although the City's elite power brokers become concerned. Like the Apostle Paul, the government moves against his message and seeks him out for destruction. A task force is formed under the leadership of hard-bitten veteran cop Frank Ochoa (Vincent Gardenia) and the noose around Kersey tightens. The seriousness by which the City Police track "The Vigilante Killer" vs. how they treat regular citizen victims of crime is a stunning portrait of a corrupt, immoral and indifferent leadership faced with a Prophet who calls them to account.

A deep, profoundly moving movie this story faces social problems head on, crime, guns, racial strife, corruption, and justice. A classic, significant movie that should be studied for generations.

7 people found this helpful

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