10 to Midnight (1983)

A LAPD detective is on the trail of a very handsome young man who had been seducing and slashing many young women to death.

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writer:

William Roberts

Stars:

Charles Bronson, Lisa Eilbacher, Andrew Stevens

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Bronson	...	Leo Kessler
Lisa Eilbacher	...	Laurie Kessler
Andrew Stevens	...	Paul McAnn
Gene Davis	...	Warren Stacy
Geoffrey Lewis	...	Dave Dante
Wilford Brimley	...	Captain Malone
Robert F. Lyons	...	Nathan Zager (as Robert Lyons)
Bert Williams	...	Mr. Johnson
Iva Lane	...	Bunny
Ola Ray	...	Ola
Kelly Preston	...	Doreen (as Kelly Palzis)
Cosie Costa	...	Dudley
Paul McCallum	...	Lab Technician
Jeana Keough	...	Karen (as Jeana Tomasina)
June Gilbert	...	Betty

Storyline

In Los Angeles, the rookie Detective Paul McAnn teams up with the veteran Detective Leo Kessler to investigate the murder of Betty Johnson and her boyfriend that were stabbed by a naked serial-killer in a park. Detective Kessler recognizes the victim, who lived in the same neighborhood many years ago and childhood friend of his daughter Laurie Kessler. The killer Warren Stacy goes to the funeral and overhears Betty's father telling Detective Kessler that his daughter had a diary. Warren breaks in Betty's apartment and stabs and kills her roommate Karen Smalley trying to find the diary. But Karen had already delivered the journal to Detective Kessler. Leo Kessler is sure that Warren is the serial-killer and her plants a false evidence in his apartment. However, Warren's defense lawyer presses Detective McAnn accusing him of perjury and Warren is released. Now the Warren is stalking Laurie to revenge against her father.

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Plot Keywords:

psycho | detective | serial killer | diary | stalking | 

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Taglines:

Forget what's legal ........... do what's right!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 March 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bloody Sunday

Filming Locations:

Thrifty - 11321 National Boulevard - Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,520,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cannon Group, City Films, Y & M Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Like other Charles Bronson movies, this one performed much stronger outside the US, where it earned a considerable chunk of its box office.

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Goofs

At the end of the movie, McCann pulls up in a beige car. After Kessler shoots Stacy, the camera pans out and now there are black and white police cars everywhere and McCann's beige car is nowhere to be seen.

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Quotes

Leo Kessler: [referring to a murdered girl's diary entry about a 'creep'] Do you know who that is, Warren?
[Warren doesn't respond]
Leo Kessler: I'll give you a hint - YOU.

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Connections

References Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)

User Reviews

A Classic Thriller from the 80's with an Unforgettable Conclusion

In Los Angeles, the rookie Detective Paul McAnn (Andrew Stevens) teams up with the veteran Detective Leo Kessler (Charles Bronson) to investigate the murder of Betty Johnson (June Gilbert) and her boyfriend that were stabbed by a naked serial-killer in a park. Detective Kessler recognizes the victim, who lived in the same neighborhood many years ago and childhood friend of his daughter Laurie Kessler (Lisa Eilbacher). The killer Warren Stacy (Gene Davis) goes to the funeral and overhears Betty's father telling Detective Kessler that his daughter had a diary.

Warren breaks in Betty's apartment and stabs and kills her roommate Karen Smalley (Jeana Tomasina) trying to find the diary. But Karen had already delivered the journal to Detective Kessler. Leo Kessler is sure that Warren is the serial-killer and her plants a false evidence in his apartment. However, Warren's defense lawyer presses Detective McAnn accusing him of perjury and Warren is released. Now the Warren is stalking Laurie to revenge against her father.

"10 to Midnight" is a classic thriller from the 80's and among the best movies of Charles Bronson. I saw this film two or three times in the past and I have just seen it again. The unexpected reaction of Detetctive Leo Kessler is the climax of this great film and gives an unforgettable conclusion to the story. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Dez Minutos para Morrer" ("Ten Minutes to Die")