July, 2024: Death Wish , the iconic vigilante thriller starring Charles Bronson and directed by Michael Winner turns 50. I turn 49 and lose my fuckin’ job and almost my mind.
July 24th, 1974 the controversial film Death Wish opens to mixed reviews from critics and fans, over all the film is a financial and commercial success.
July 24th, 2024 the 49 year old host of This Week in Charles Bronson Podcast goes on a job interview and feels like a complete failure.
What does one of these things have to do with the other? Damned if I know, but its my God damn blog so bug off!!
Perhaps they do have something to do with each other. Charles Bronson was in his early 50’s when he had his first really big hit in America, maybe I’m working on mine.
I will tell you this, that interview this morning sure didn’t make feel that way. You gotta love an interview set up to intimidate. They sat me at a long table with 3 people across from me all asking me questions. A Puerto Rican lady, a gay kid and an Indian lady. I have no problem with Puerto Rican ladies, I married one. I like gay people, and I am friendly with quite a few Indian folk. I watch Cricket and I enjoy their food as well, but I don’t look like someone who does. I look like a guy who gets into fist fights outside Lee’s Hoagie House. Its ok though, looking this way has benefitted me in the past, its time that I face some adversity with it. Needless to say I feel defeated and worse, I have no idea how to get us back onto the subject of Death Wish, so here goes nothing.
The most interesting topic for me as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this sidewalk vigilante, sub-way slaying classic is the disagreement that Charles Bronson and Michael Winner had over the final scene as Paul Kersey points his finger pistol at some taunting thugs.
*information I got through Bulletproof Action and Paul Talbot
Charles Bronson did not like this scene, Michael Winner did , in fact it was his idea. I happen to agree with Winner. I find this scene, this image to be iconic. It sets a tone for a possible sequel with no definitive promise that there will be one, but I will try to play devil’s advocate and see both sides.
In Charles Bronson’s defense it just seems downright silly that this conscientious objector turned avenger would be making light of his harrowing situation. He has lost his wife and daughter are we to believe at this point that he is happy about his lot in life? that he is full time Mr. Vigilante now? As I said earlier it sets a tone for a sequel at a time when sequels weren’t really a thing or necessary and its quirkiness foreshadows the satiric and comedic nature of Winner’s future Death Wish adventures like Death Wish 3. Imagine Freddy Krueger being silly at the end of the original Elm before we knew that there would be sequels where he did indeed act silly.
In Winner’s defense. Dude, just DUDE!! It’s so fuckin’ cool. As I said there was no thought of a sequel at the moment. This final scene was so Winner, his fuck you to the critics for what he already knew was coming and Paul Kersey’s pistol was his middle finger flying to all those muggers that did him and his family wrong.
Lets celebrate 50 years of this film stirring up debate and conversation and like it or not , lets celebrate that final iconic scene.
Best one yet.
I’m going to keep being that unasked-for-advice asshole and tell you to start writing a book that’s Bronson biography and film reviews, but done in relation to when you personally saw the or a time you rewatched them that hit you differently.
Like this piece, basically!
Stay strong. You WILL make it through this.
Bu©️hinsky Brand
Keeping good thoughts for you, and all job-seekers, Eric. Just thinking to mention, "Get Hired!: Winning Strategies to Ace the Interview" by Dr. Paul Green is the best book, out of hundreds, I've ever read on the subject. That final scene with Kersey really resonates with me for this reason. Those punks are sociopaths, and they don't feel fear or empathy the way normal people do. Kersey has 'flipped a switch' and his creepy smirk is not something a normal person would ever feel or express. Kersey is no longer bound by norms, and while the punks may think that "it's over, we win!" and they got away with it, Kersey's creepy smirk tells them (and the viewer) that this is NOT over.