The Mechanic (1972)

An aging hitman befriends a young man who wants to be a professional killer. Eventually it becomes clear that someone has betrayed them.

Director:

Michael Winner

Writers:

Lewis John Carlino (screenplay), Lewis John Carlino (story)

Stars:

Charles Bronson, Jan-Michael Vincent, Keenan Wynn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Bronson	...	Arthur Bishop
Jan-Michael Vincent	...	Steve McKenna
Keenan Wynn	...	Harry McKenna
Jill Ireland	...	The Girl
Linda Ridgeway	...	Louise, Steve McKenna's Girlfriend
Frank DeKova	...	The Man (as Frank De Kova)
James Davidson	...	Intern
Lindsay Crosby	...	Policeman (as Lindsay H. Crosby)
Steve Cory	...	Messenger
Tak Kubota	...	Yamoto (as Takayuki Kubota)
Patrick O'Moore	...	Old Man
Martin Gordon	...	American Tourist
Celeste Yarnall	...	The Mark's Girl
Athena Lorde	...	Old Woman
Alison Rose	...	Young Girl

Storyline

A professional hit man is planning to retire, always a difficult move for one in such a profession. A young apprentice appears to be eager to learn all the skills of the trade - but is that all he wants?

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Plot Keywords:

hitman | funeral | professional hit | villain played by lead actor | main character dies | 

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Taglines:

Clean. Fast. Professional.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The rundown hotel in downtown Los Angeles where the first victim resides has a dive bar on the corner. Its name? The Hard Rock Cafe - first discovered by the Doors, who actually used it as for photos of the band for the back cover and gatefold of the Morrison Hotel album in 1970. Side One is actually entitled "Hard Rock Cafe," to boot. Soon after, Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton asked the Doors for permission to 'borrow' the name for their soon-to-open restaurant in London.

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Goofs

When Steve pulls up to Bishop's house he pulls the car into spot facing in then in Italy Bishop is killed when Steve pulls up in taxi at Bishop's house the car is now facing out who moved it.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Arthur Bishop: [voiceover as Steve reads note] Steve, if you read this, it means I didn't make it back. It also means you've broken a filament controlling a 13-second delay trigger. End of game. Bang! You're dead.

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Alternate Versions

The 1988 UK Warner video release was cut by 7 secs by the BBFC to remove closeup shots of a lock picking. The cuts were restored in the 2004 MGM DVD.

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Connections

References Cruel, Cruel Love (1914)

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Soundtracks

String Quartet Op.18 No.6 (2nd Movement)
Written by Ludwig van Beethoven

User Reviews

* * * 1/2 OUT OF FIVE

Effective thriller stars Bronson as Arthur Bishop who teaches a younger assassin named Steve McKenna (Jan-Michael Vincent) the tricks of the trade. The Mechanic emerges at break-neck pace but once it gets started it becomes an engrossingly savage thriller. Also watch for the twist ending.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 December 1972 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Killer of Killers

Filming Locations:

Amalfi, Campania, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chartoff-Winkler Productions, Carlino Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1