Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

The Evil That Men Do (1984)

“We don’t make movies for critics, since they don’t pay to see them anyhow.” fan favorite Charles Bronson

Charles Bronson (1921 - 2003) made a slew of action movies during the seventies and eighties, averaging more than one a year, for a total of around 30 movies over the two decades.

WWII veteran Bronson appeared in dozens of roles during the 50s and later but his appearance in The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape cemented his status as screen idol, from the sympathetic yet tough characters he portrayed. Oddly, his greatest box office success, Death Wish, left Bronson dissatisfied as he was typecast as a cool vigilante killer who could handle any situation. Thereafter, he mostly played similar characters, but with a finesse and variety that never bored his large fan base.

Towards the middle of his almost unprecedented run as action hero par excellance, Bronson essayed The Evil That Men Do, a J. Lee Thompson (Guns of Navarone) film. J. Lee Thompson and Bronson collaborated at least 5 or 6 times and each movie provided all the thrills, spills and chills the audience expected, and then some.

As the movie starts out, we see a torturer, “Dr. Molloch” (Joseph Maher), obviously an escapee from the Third Reich, who is instructing possible clients or would-be torturers in the fine art of breaking people.

After the gag inducing opening sequence we see Bronson, retired, living an idyllic existence on an island paradise. He gets a visitor (Jose Ferrer - Lawrence of Arabia) who urges him to put an end to this menace who is training the third world dictators how to keep their populations in their place; “I’m retired,” Bronson protests.

Notwithstanding his reticence, some pangs of conscience lead Bronson to accept the challenge and he arrives at Ferrer’s place of business to get the details.

He learns all he needs to know between Ferrer’s briefing and his inside man, Max Ortiz (Rene Enriquez - Hill Street Blues). He also dons a disguise that includes a wife (comely Theresa Saldana) and her daughter - ostensibly his family. These two lost their breadwinner to the murderous “doctor.” They agree to accompany Bronson to Guatemala to provide cover for the killer while he works his “magic.”

Needless to say, Bronson provides a rare treat in the manner he deals with the various obstacles to his mission. Even though Theresa Saldana gets a queasy stomach when it comes to watching Bronson work, he still gets the job done and ties up all the loose ends, even getting her to be his if the ending credits are to be believed.

The Evil That Men Do is not family entertainment, but then, the guys who like movies like I do don’t necessarily tune in when the Disney Channel is showing “Bambi.”

The Columbia DVD is presented in 1.85:1 theatrical format, in color, and the film runs a fast-paced hour-and-a-half. No fat in this one, folks, and no extra features other than subtitles and the theatrical trailer. You’ll still be glad I told you about this one if you choose to see it.

Signing off now,

Your bud

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age