Have you ever heard the term ‘mechanic‘ used outside its normal meaning?” Arthur Bishop

Throughout the '50s and '60s, Charles Bronson made a name for himself in movies. Big supporting roles in such movies as The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, and The Dirty Dozen made him a familiar face to audiences, who adored the strong yet sympathetic characters he portrayed. By the 1970s, Bronson was a superstar, grinding out a steady crop of action films - one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood. One of the most memorable of his action movies is The Mechanic, a film by director Michael Winner.

Some of my fellow reviewers may disagree, but Michael Winner has made several films that are among my favorites - Lawman, Scorpio, and The Mechanic. That makes three films I enjoy more than many from a number of famous directors I could name. Anyway, I will concede that Winner typically has a fairly unremarkable style with abbreviated camera moves and possibly lacks imagination in camera placement and shot composition. This film, however, has a tremendous amount of style and pulses with the beat of the mind of its protagonist Arthur Bishop. The story is absorbing and thought provoking at all times.

A mechanic is an underworld assassin - a hit man. But Charles Bronson brings a whole new level of complexity to the genre in his performance as Arthur Bishop, a man who studies his targets with clinical detachment accompanied by classical music and fine wine. Infinite attention to detail is his hallmark.

The first quarter hour of the film unwinds wordlessly as Bishop gathers data about his victim, playing the part of a blue collar worker living in a skid row flophouse, observing, recording, and planning his attack. The viewer is engrossed, trying to fathom the inscrutable machinations of the hit man as he observes his quarry’s environment through a celestial telescope, painstakingly photographing every detail and setting a fatal snare from which the marked man will not escape. The hit is orchestrated with symphonic precision, the crescendo an explosion engineered to look like an accidental gas leak.

Life is good and Bishop returns from his three day surveillance to his posh residence to enjoy the good life. A meeting with an old mob acquaintance asks his help on a particularly sticky problem. Bishop is subtle and feigns inability to intervene in the matter. In fact, it is for just such matters he is kept on retainer by the mob. The acquaintance knows Bishop is involved in the mob in some way, he just does not know how. In passing, Bishop meets the man’s son Steve (Jan Michael Vincent) who will become important as the story plays out…

Steve is a spoiled rich kid, who, once he is freed by his father’s untimely death, attaches himself to Bishop trying to emulate him for kicks. Bishop has a fatal character flaw, too. A loner, living an isolated existence, he hungers for friendship and a person to pass his hard-won knowledge on to. His employers are not amused when they find he has taken on an understudy without clearing it with them first…

Charles Bronson is at the top of his game, turning in a finely nuanced performance of a character that is fascinating - repellent and attractive all at once. Never over the top, he is able to give a credible portrayal of an incredible character. Jan Michael Vincent lends fine support as the young man who wants to be like Bishop. Familiar faces Keenan Wynn and Frank de Kova also turn in memorable performances.

The story is extremely good with the only sour note being the '70s “hip” dialog that hopelessly dates the film. Otherwise it is an edge of your seat thriller. Jerry Goldsmith composed one of his best scores for this film. The music adds great depth and emotion to the production. All in all The Mechanic is a four star viewing experience.

The MGM DVD is in 1.85: 1 widescreen format and is well preserved. Unlike most MGM DVDs I've viewed this one comes with subtitles, a welcome addition in my book.

Charles Bronson fans will also want to see The Dirty Dozen, Death Wish, and The Great Escape while viewers who want to see more of director Michael Winner’s work would be well advised to seek out Scorpio - a cold war espionage film - and Lawman a raw edged western starring perennial favorite Burt Lancaster.

You'll also enjoy these Charles Bronson action vehicles:

Death Wish

Mr. Majestyk

Enjoy your viewing!



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening