The Streetfighter [1975]

When street fighter Chaney arrives in New Orleans he teams up with gambler, Speed in hope of making some big money. The more Chaney fights, the more Speed realises that he has finally got a winner, and a chance at some real money. Eventually after the pair have gathered enough money to gamble with to fight the best in town, owned by "one of the big 'money-belts' in town", Chick. The outcomes leaves an angry Chick no longer with the best street fighter in town. He gets in the best man he can find, a tough man from Calafornia and to ensure that Chaney fights he kidnaps Speed and threatens to beat him up if Chaney doesn't show up.

Bronson really is just absolutely perfect for the role of Chaney with the muscles and the right look for a man who has not had it easy or born with a silver spoon in his mouth like his character Chaney. James Coburn is also perfect for his role as the wheeling-dealing Speed and Strother Martin as the Opium addicted cutman Poe. Jill Ireland who was Bronson's wife at the time of the film plays his 'sort of' girlfriend in the film. Chick is played by Michael McGuire and Street is played by Nick Dimitri, both of which are also great in their roles, bringing the characters to life.

Overall, 'Hard Times' really is a great film, not only for the exciting fight scenes throughout, but in detailing what life was like during the depression as very few people could get jobs and so for those that could fight, this was the easiest way to make some money. Unfortunately the only extras on the DVD are a trailer and selected filmographies, but it worth buying just for the film. If you are a fan of Charles Bronson, fighting films in general, or simply want some good quality entertainment then i would highly recommend this film and i'm sure that it will become a valuble piece to your collection.


The greatest film about the streetfighting life   February 7, 2002
NChoudhury (United Kingdom)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

What a tough, realistic action thriller this turned out to be. I first saw this movie on channel 5 and with the widescreen DVD out I just had to get this. Bronson is perfect in this role as the unknown old timer with amazing lightning speed and devastating knock-out power. Combined with Coburn's cool hustler character Speed, no one could touch them, until they decided to call in the most feared fighter from Chicago to settle the score....the end fight is unforgetable, as is the relationship between Bronson and Coburn who start out as strictly business partners but then realise the value of true friendship. A forgotten classic.


GOOD TIMES !!!   September 5, 2003
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I just love this film. The direction by Walter Hill is superb, the set pieces, the fight sequences, the screenplay is excellent.
Charles Bronson and James Coburn are simply fabulous. There will never be the likes of them again.
Rest in peace my Heroes !! You guys will live forever in our memories.
Trust me, this is one terrific movie that is destined to be a classic if not already.
See it and enjoy!!


Walter Hill's first and best movie   July 29, 2008
Brendan O. Clarke (Edinburgh)
Old Stone face Charles Bronson stars (at the tender age of 55) in this 1975 depression-era movie about a man who is forced to take up bare-knuckled fighting to earn enough money to survive. Bronson arrives in New Orleans with a few coins in his pocket and no prospects. Fortunately for him (and unfortunately for his opponents) he comes across a betting fighting match hosted by two local sharpies. Bronson studies the situation with cold calculating eyes and realizes that he could earn some much needed food money with a few bouts of his own. Introducing himself to one of the local sharpies, (James Colburn, who is superb in his role of a quick talking con-man in constant trouble with the local mob), Bronson and Colburn set out to win a small fortune on the match-making skills of Colburn and the hard punishing fists of Bronson.

Although clearly aging, Bronson is a natural and beleiveable fighter, with a lean muscular body certainly capable of knocking out his opponents. With initial success, Bronson is matched with increasingly tougher opponents, culminating in two "championship" bouts that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Intertwined between the bouts is Bronson and his co-star Jill Ireland (his real-life wife), and their effort to establish a relationship.

Although it does not belong on my "classic" shelf, "Hard Times" is one of Charles Bronson's best movies and it will be a treat to view on a Saturday night after a few beers.


hard times, hard movie   August 21, 2008
Ctwilliams (UK)
Bronsons magnum opus.
Bronson is nowt short of brilliant in the central role of a 1930's depression street fighter, who dosen't look beyonmd the 'next corner in the road.' Fans of James Coburn (fight manager) and Strother Martin (trainer) in close support roles wont find reason to complain either. Realistic set piece fight action with a genuine Souther USA period feel as the movie moves to the final showdown fight in a warehouse - clock cards punched out on the wall.