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IMDbPro

Death Wish

  • 19741974
  • RR
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
39K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,461
270
Charles Bronson in Death Wish (1974)
Watch ’Official Trailer’
Play trailer2:18
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Crime
  • Drama
A New York City architect becomes a one-man vigilante squad after his wife is murdered by street punks. In self-defense, the vengeful man kills muggers on the mean streets after dark.A New York City architect becomes a one-man vigilante squad after his wife is murdered by street punks. In self-defense, the vengeful man kills muggers on the mean streets after dark.A New York City architect becomes a one-man vigilante squad after his wife is murdered by street punks. In self-defense, the vengeful man kills muggers on the mean streets after dark.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
39K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,461
270
  • Director
    • Michael Winner
  • Writers
    • Brian Garfield(novel)
    • Wendell Mayes(screenplay)
    • Gerald Wilson(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Charles Bronson
    • Hope Lange
    • Vincent Gardenia
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michael Winner
  • Writers
    • Brian Garfield(novel)
    • Wendell Mayes(screenplay)
    • Gerald Wilson(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Charles Bronson
    • Hope Lange
    • Vincent Gardenia
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 253User reviews
    • 113Critic reviews
    • 51Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:18
    Official Trailer

    Photos128

    Death Wish (1974)
    Charles Bronson in Death Wish (1974)
    Charles Bronson in Death Wish (1974)
    Charles Bronson in Death Wish (1974)
    Charles Bronson in Death Wish (1974)
    Hope Lange in Death Wish (1974)
    Steven Keats in Death Wish (1974)
    Stuart Margolin in Death Wish (1974)
    Stuart Margolin in Death Wish (1974)
    Death Wish (1974)
    Steven Keats in Death Wish (1974)
    Steven Keats in Death Wish (1974)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Charles Bronson
    Charles Bronson
    • Paul Kerseyas Paul Kersey
    Hope Lange
    Hope Lange
    • Joanna Kerseyas Joanna Kersey
    Vincent Gardenia
    Vincent Gardenia
    • Frank Ochoaas Frank Ochoa
    Steven Keats
    Steven Keats
    • Jack Tobyas Jack Toby
    William Redfield
    William Redfield
    • Sam Kreutzeras Sam Kreutzer
    Stuart Margolin
    Stuart Margolin
    • Aimes Jainchillas Aimes Jainchill
    Stephen Elliott
    Stephen Elliott
    • Police Commissioneras Police Commissioner
    Kathleen Tolan
    • Carol Tobyas Carol Toby
    Jack Wallace
    Jack Wallace
    • Hankas Hank
    Fred J. Scollay
    Fred J. Scollay
    • District Attorneyas District Attorney
    • (as Fred Scollay)
    Chris Gampel
    Chris Gampel
    • Ivesas Ives
    Robert Kya-Hill
    Robert Kya-Hill
    • Joe Charlesas Joe Charles
    Edward Grover
    Edward Grover
    • Lt. Briggsas Lt. Briggs
    • (as Ed Grover)
    Jeff Goldblum
    Jeff Goldblum
    • Freak #1as Freak #1
    Christopher Logan
    • Freak #2as Freak #2
    Gregory Rozakis
    Gregory Rozakis
    • Spraycanas Spraycan
    Floyd Levine
    Floyd Levine
    • Desk Sergeantas Desk Sergeant
    Helen Martin
    Helen Martin
    • Alma Lee Brownas Alma Lee Brown
    • Director
      • Michael Winner
    • Writers
      • Brian Garfield(novel)
      • Wendell Mayes(screenplay)
      • Gerald Wilson(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After finishing The Stone Killer (1973), Charles Bronson and Michael Winner wanted to make another film together, and were discussing further projects. "What do we do next?" asked Bronson. "The best script I've got is 'Death Wish'. It's about a man whose wife and daughter are mugged and he goes out and shoots muggers," said Winner. "I'd like to do that," Bronson said. "The film?" asked Winner. Bronson replied, "No . . . shoot muggers."
    • Goofs
      Kersey's first shooting victim is hit in the abdomen, but a police investigator at the crime scene the next morning refers to a bullet hole in his chest.
    • Quotes

      Paul Kersey: Nothing to do but cut and run, huh? What else? What about the old American social custom of self-defense? If the police don't defense us, maybe we ought to do it ourselves.

      Jack Toby: We're not pioneers anymore, Dad.

      Paul Kersey: What are we, Jack?

      Jack Toby: What do you mean?

      Paul Kersey: I mean, if we're not pioneers, what have we become? What do you call people who, when they're faced with a condition or fear, do nothing about it, they just run and hide?

      Jack Toby: Civilized?

      Paul Kersey: No.

    • Crazy credits
      Actresses Olympia Dukakis ('Cop at the Precinct') and Marcia Jean Kurtz as Marcia Jean-Kurtz ('Woman at Airport') get credited in opening credits only. There's no mention of them in the closing credits.
    • Alternate versions
      The UK version classified in 2006 by the British Board of Film Classification retained the 18 certificate, but all of the BBFC's previous cuts were waived.
    • Connections
      Featured in Precious Images (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Death Wish (Main Title)
      Written and Performed by Herbie Hancock

    User reviews253

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Solid Fare
    Here is a film whose quality and appeal, much like Sylvester Stallone's Rocky, may be overshadowed by a seemingly endless line of inferior sequels. But Death Wish is a real crowd-pleaser filled with emotion, drama, action and suspense. It's the story of Paul Kersey, a family man (and former Conscientus Objector in Korea) whose wife and daughter fall victim to a brutal attack at the hands of unknown thugs. Yet Kersey doesn't get mad, he gets even as a one-man judge, jury and executioner against those who prey on the innocent. Bronson delivers an underrated performance in a movie that constantly asks the viewer, "What would you do?"
    helpful•43
    12
    • ReelCheese
    • May 26, 2006

    FAQ10

    • What is 'Death Wish' about?
    • Is 'Death Wish' based on a book?
    • From what did Paul's wife die?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 24, 1974 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • Italy
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • German
      • French
    • Also known as
      • The Sidewalk Vigilante
    • Filming locations
      • Bear Down Gym, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
    • Production companies
      • Dino De Laurentiis
      • Landers-Roberts Productions
      • Scimitar Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $22,000,000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $22,000,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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