Hard Times

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Hard Times

PG

1975

1h 32m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

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16 Reviews

81%

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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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Pauline Kael

New Yorker

Hard times offers excitement that makes you feel good; Walter Hill respects the loner myth.

Oct 11, 2023

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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

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

A powerful, brutal film containing a definitive Charles Bronson performance.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 23, 2004

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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

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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

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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

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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

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William S

The performances are outstanding.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/24/24

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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

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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

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Robert M

Classic movie great performances all round. Bronson is superb

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/24/23

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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

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Walter Hill

Director

Charles Bronson

Chaney

James Coburn

Speed

Jill Ireland

Lucy Simpson

Strother Martin

Poe

Margaret Blye

Gayleen Schoonover

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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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