Charley Varrick (1973)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Don Siegel

Writers:

John Reese (novel)
Howard Rodman (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

19 September 1973 (Sweden)

Genre:

Crime | Thriller | Drama

Tagline:

He stole from the Mob, now he's running for his life.

Plot:

Charley Varrick and his friends rob a small town bank. Expecting a small sum to divide amongst themselves...

Plot Keywords:

Crop Duster | Chase | Mafia | Cop Killer | Bank Robbery

Awards:

Won BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Walter Matthau	...	Charley Varrick
Joe Don Baker	...	Molly
Felicia Farr	...	Sybil Fort
Andrew Robinson	...	Harman Sullivan (as Andy Robinson)
Sheree North	...	Jewell Everett
Norman Fell	...	Mr. Garfinkle
Benson Fong	...	Honest John
Woodrow Parfrey	...	Harold Young
William Schallert	...	San Miguel Sheriff Bill Horton
Jacqueline Scott	...	Nadine
Marjorie Bennett	...	Mrs. Taft
Rudy Diaz	...	Deputy Sanchez
Colby Chester	...	Deputy Steele
Charlie Briggs	...	Highway deputy
Priscilla Garcia	...	Miss Ambar

Also Known As:

Kill Charley Varrick (Europe: English title)
The Last of the Independents (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Singapore:PG | West Germany:16 (nf) (re-rating) | West Germany:18 (nf) (original rating) | France:Unrated | UK:15 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Mustang, Nevada, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Director Cameo: ['Don Siegel (I)']a table tennis player.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: During the chase scene between Baker's sedan and Matthau's bi-plane, the tires of the sedan 'screech' repeatedly as though they were running on pavement, while the terrain is sandy desert scrub.

Quotes:

Charley Varrick: Mafia money. All I wanted was a small take, in and out quick, no big deal.
Harman Sullivan: Well, don't you worry, Charley, cause if you don't want your share, I'll be more than happy to take it over for you.
Charley Varrick: I'm sure you would, Harmon.
Harman Sullivan: Well, what do you want to do, give it back?
Charley Varrick: I've been thinking about it.
Harman Sullivan: Charley Varrick. Well, I got some news for you, Charley. You haven't got the balls of a bull canary bird. And something else, I ain't giving back penny number one!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Pulp Fiction (1994)

Matthau Makes The Modern-Day Noir Work

This was a pleasant surprise; better than I thought it would be, although I shouldn't have been surprised since Walter Matthau usually plays interesting roles.

What I appreciated was the realism of the story, except for two things at the end of the film such as no one coming to investigate a loud chase scenes and firebombing? Overall, the ending, however, was a very satisfying one, and one that brings you back for future viewings. Matthau also makes the film realistic, as he typecast perfectly for this role.

Other than Matthau, the cast isn't a big-name one but a lot of familiar faces and names from movies in the '60s and very early 70s such as John Vernon, Sheree North, Joe Don Baker and Felicia Farr.

Andy Robinson, is a not a known name in movies because he did years of television, but viewers might remember him as the creepy "Scorpio Killer" in the first "Dirty Harry" film.

"Charlie Varrick" is considered a film noir even though it's 1973 and in color, but it's noir in story and that's good enough for me. This is definitely worth a look if you like crime films.