The Mechanic

PG

Released Nov 17, 1972

1 hr. 40 min.

Action

Mystery & Thriller

List

40%

10 Reviews

Tomatometer

65%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Arthur Bishop (Charles Bronson) is a veteran hit man who, owing to his penchant for making his targets' deaths seem like accidents, thinks himself an artist. It's made him very rich, but as he hits middle age, he's so depressed and lonely that he takes on one of his victim's sons, Steve McKenna (Jan-Michael Vincent), as his apprentice. Arthur puts him through a rigorous training period and brings him on several hits. As Steven improves, Arthur worries that he'll discover who killed his father.

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Nik75 J

A better than average and entertaining Bronson pic. Some very good plot twists. The opening scene is notable for it's lack of dialogue.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/05/24

Full Review

Russ

For a Bronson film, darn little happens and what does happen is pretty implausible. For the ladies Mr. Vincent is the eye candy; he's kind'a like a 70's Bratt Pitt.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/11/23

Full Review

Steve D

It's all surprisingly lifeless.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/03/23

Full Review

Jelisije J

This movie starts off way to slow with too many drawn out scenes, but when the two leads start spending time together this movie becomes an absolute blast.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/26/23

Full Review

Matthew L

Way better than the crappy remake.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/02/22

Full Review

July 24 Pictures

While nowhere as good or fun as Death Wish 1 & 3, this early collaboration between director Michael Winner and the badass Charles Bronson is a well made, gritty explosion of the New Hollywood era that was booming in the 1970s.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/29/22

Full Review

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Michael Winner

Director

Charles Bronson

Arthur Bishop

Jan-Michael Vincent

Steve McKenna

Keenan Wynn

Harry McKenna

Jill Ireland

The Girl

Linda Ridgeway

Louise

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The Mechanic: Official Clip - Slow Sleepy Suicide

1:49

The Mechanic: Official Clip - Killing Big Harry

2:10

The Mechanic: Official Clip - Motorcycle Chase

2:10

The Mechanic: Official Clip - Shotgun Attack

2:13

The Mechanic: Official Clip - See Naples and Die

2:11

The Mechanic: Official Clip - Killer Heroes

1:26

The Mechanic: Official Clip - An Associate

2:03

The Mechanic: Official Clip - Bulldozing!

1:34

The Mechanic: Official Clip - Ready, Aim, Fire!

1:40

The Mechanic: Official Clip - Skeet Practice

1:10

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Judith Crist

New York Magazine/Vulture

It is a banal expedition into slaughter and sadism and stupid dialogue.

Jun 11, 2020

Full Review

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

As slow as molasses and just as exciting.

Rated: C-

Apr 17, 2011

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The funny thing is that this sounds more interesting than it is.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

“The Mechanic” remains a solid entry in Bronson’s filmography and one that sits comfortably in the middle of arguably the best five-year run of the late actor’s four-decade-plus career.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 21, 2023

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

One of Bronson's signature pieces from the era.

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 19, 2020

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

While not a spectacular picture, the ending is highly amusing (despite being predictable), giving a simple story an unforgettable final note of singular creativity.

Rated: 5/10

Aug 30, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Arthur Bishop (Charles Bronson) is a veteran hit man who, owing to his penchant for making his targets' deaths seem like accidents, thinks himself an artist. It's made him very rich, but as he hits middle age, he's so depressed and lonely that he takes on one of his victim's sons, Steve McKenna (Jan-Michael Vincent), as his apprentice. Arthur puts him through a rigorous training period and brings him on several hits. As Steven improves, Arthur worries that he'll discover who killed his father.

Director: Michael Winner
Screenwriter: Lewis John Carlino
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., United Artists
Production Co: Chartoff-Winkler Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 1972, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 12, 2017

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