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Hard Times

Play trailer Poster for Hard Times PG 1975 1h 32m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
During the Great Depression, Chaney (Charles Bronson) bare-knuckle boxes to survive. Speed (James Coburn), an avid gambler, recognizes his talent and becomes his manager. They hire a cut man named Poe (Strother Martin), and Speed borrows cash from some gangsters to bet on Chaney's fight. They win, but Speed gambles and loses his portion and remains in debt. In the end, a rival manager named Gandil (Michael McGuire) buys Speed's debt and forces Chaney to fight Speed against his toughest foe yet.
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Hard Times

Critics Reviews

View All (16) Critics Reviews
Pauline Kael The New Yorker Hard times offers excitement that makes you feel good; Walter Hill respects the loner myth. Oct 11, 2023 Full Review Variety Staff Variety The production has a very handsome mid-1930s New Orleans period flavour but the cast can't lick the script. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times A powerful, brutal film containing a definitive Charles Bronson performance. Rated: 3/4 Oct 23, 2004 Full Review Mitchell Beaupre Paste Magazine As hard as the hits land every time, it’s the capitalist exchanging of cash and leveling up of wagers on these beaten men’s ability to sock each other out that knocks you down the hardest. Rated: 9/10 Sep 29, 2023 Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills So often a monolithic actor in mediocre films, Bronson’s beady-eyed smirk in this context acquires a droll dignity suggesting graduation from the school of million hard knocks, and every supporting role is colorfully filled. Mar 16, 2023 Full Review Radio Times Staff Radio Times [T]here's much to admire here, especially the fine combination of cinematographer Philip Lathrop's images and Roger Spottiswoode's editing of the exciting fight sequences. Jan 15, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (172) audience reviews
BARMOUTH B Amazing depiction of a struggle in a struggling country. James Coburn is utterly believable as the bare knuckle promoter who’s gambling stumps any real progress. In walks Bronson’s old school hard man with no past & no money but dynamite fists. They slowly defeat all combatants raising the stakes each time. Leading to the climax against the mob boss and all his ambitions. You’ll have to watch it to grasp it’s slow burn beauty. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/27/24 Full Review William S The performances are outstanding. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/24/24 Full Review Martin B I've seen it a couple times years ago. Tuned in just to see the start recently but ended up watching the whole movie a third time. Just a very satisfying movie. Bronson at his strong silent type best. One of Coburns best chaaraters and with Struther Martin and Ireland at her beautiful but detached best the cast was near perfection. Addi in period wardrobe and stark settings that reflected hard times the movie hits all the right chords in my view. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/11/24 Full Review Nik75 J James Coburn and Charles Bronson are a solid team. Probably one of Bronson's best movies. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/05/24 Full Review Robert M Classic movie great performances all round. Bronson is superb Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/24/23 Full Review ANY1aBLUE Smashing combo of Coburn and Bronson, showing modern actors how it should be done. Love the story, sets and mood. Everything good here………. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis During the Great Depression, Chaney (Charles Bronson) bare-knuckle boxes to survive. Speed (James Coburn), an avid gambler, recognizes his talent and becomes his manager. They hire a cut man named Poe (Strother Martin), and Speed borrows cash from some gangsters to bet on Chaney's fight. They win, but Speed gambles and loses his portion and remains in debt. In the end, a rival manager named Gandil (Michael McGuire) buys Speed's debt and forces Chaney to fight Speed against his toughest foe yet.
Director
Walter Hill
Producer
Lawrence Gordon
Screenwriter
Bruce Henstell, Bryan Gindoff, Walter Hill
Production Co
Columbia Pictures, Claridge Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 14, 2014
Runtime
1h 32m
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