Mr. Majestyk

Promising another great action drama!

Richard Fleisher's tight direction, Bronson's sheer force of presence, and above all Elmore Leonard's excellent dialog combine to make this one terrific piece of entertainment – and one of Bronson's best films. Also worthy of note is Al Lettieri as Frank Renda (another excellent performance), a fearsome, explosively violent antagonist who perfectly compliments Bronson's cool-yet-tough demeanor. Bronson plays Vince Majestyk, a watermelon farmer who wants nothing more than to get his harvest in and mind his own business. He is interrupted by the weasel-like Bobby Kopas, who is quickly set straight by Majestyk – but Kopas soon joins forces with the vengeance-seeking Renda, whom Majestyk tried to send back to jail. Renda is just itching to get at Majestyk, and what follows is an action packed battle of wits between two determined foes – with only one left standing at the end…

Mr. Majestyk also manages to combine great action with some especially sharp, funny dialog. For instance, Majestyk overhears a gas station attendant claim the bathrooms are out of service: `Hey, I was the last one to use that men's room - you saying I busted the toilet?' Overall, Mr. Majestyk is highly recommended to fans of the great Charles Bronson, action movies, or just great movies in general.

A Fantastic effort from director Richard Fleischer, Bronson stars (in a great performance) as Vincent Majestyk, owner of a rich stretch of property that he uses to grow melons. Al Lettieri probably steals the show in his role as mafia bad dude Frank Renda (his performance is a big wow!) Between Bronson and Lettieri's performances, the film easily sustains an interesting pace and the action sequences are very tense and well edited together to keep the audience captivated. I really didn't know what to expect in this film before watching it, but now after viewing it, I must say I'am proud to have purchased this film. 9 out of 10 stars because this movie will only get better after each viewing. I really don't know which Bronson character is cooler? Paul Kersey of 'Death Wish' or Vince Majestyk of "Mr. Majestyk'? I'll let you be the judge!

The picture talks about a Vietnam veteran (Charles Bronson) attempting to begin a new life in honorable issues . He works as an upright watermelon farmer who helps other workers when are really harassed , but a mobster hit-man (Al Lettieri) and a local syndicate villain (Paul Koslo) are menacing his plans and the melons harvest . They go after him but Bronson'll execute his legitimate defense as well as extreme wrath and he'll become in judge , jury and executioner . Later on , the vendetta of the mob is turned onto Mr. Majestyk himself . The melon farmer only has acquaintance to a beautiful Mexican woman (Linda Crystal) to battle the organized crime .

In the film there is action , exciting car pursuits , shootouts , thrills , suspense and a little bit of violence . From the beginning to finish the noisy action-packed and fast-moving are continued and that's why it results to be entertaining . The great climax of the film is the final confrontation between the starring and the enemies that's stimulating and moving . The story is an adaptation from Elmore Leonard novel who also did the storyline . This is the only filmed adaptation of an Elmore Leonard crime novel that Charles Bronson ever appeared in . This film was premiered in the same year another Charles Bronson picture , the successful Death wish (1974) that created several sequels .

Charles Bronson acting is wooden as being habitual in his roles as a merciless revenger . This picture represents one of a handful of films starring Charles Bronson that deal with Mexico and/or specifically Chicano characters , the pictures resulted to be : Breakout (1975) by Tom Gries , Borderline (1980) by Jerrold Freeman and this one Mr. Majestyk (1974) by Richard Fleischer . Nice support cast , such as : Linda Crystal , Paul Koslo and special mention for Al Lettier , his tremendous interpretation is terrific , as a nasty and nefarious mob killer , though with quite gesticulation , his appearance is the best part of the film . The pic was well directed by Richard Fleischer , it's narrated understanding as well as hardly . The flick will appeal to Charles Bronson fans .

(Flash Reviews)

Bronson plays a watermelon land owner with a checkered past including stints in the military and behind bars. While on the straight, he gets hassled by the local toughs who heavily 'encourage' him to use their picking crew. He gets arrested while noisily disagreeing with him and subsequently crosses paths with another serious criminal. They don't...um...get along and the criminal wants Bronson dead. Who will outsmart who and actually more importantly will Bronson get good melons picked before they spoil? As expected, Bronson won't take gruff from anyone. He just wants to pick his melons. Ha Ha! This is a solid 70s tough guy movie with some very entertaining car chases.

"Mr. Majestyk" is inarguably one of Charles Bronson's most masterful action movie accomplishments (not counting the westerns like "Once Upon a Time in the West" and "The Magnificent Seven" because he didn't play the central character in those) and this is mainly thanks to the skillful writing of Elmore Leonard and the tight direction of Richard Fleischer. More than in the other contemporary Bronson action vehicles, "Mr. Majestyk" benefices from a steadily paced and intelligent screenplay that fully revolves on Charles Bronson, but at least never exaggeratedly idolizes him. Vince Majestyk is a modest and introvert Colorado melon farmer who only wants to bring in his harvest… He ends up in jail after a conflict with a local small time crook, but things get really serious when a wanted mafia hit man targets him for assassination. Mr. Majestyk wanted to deliver the escaped convict Frank Renda back to the police, but his plan failed and now Renda is obsessed with killing Vince with his own hands. The plot isn't hyper-convoluted, but it's definitely more ambitious than the average "Death Wish" sequel in which Charles blows away random street scum. The villainous characters in "Mr. Majestyk" are interesting personalities. Frank Renda (brilliant performance from Al Lettieri) is a genuinely menacing and relentless criminal, whereas Bobby Kopas is just a sleazy and cowardly local marauder who thinks he's a big shot. The interactions between Vince and these gangsters confirm their personalities. He's not afraid of Renda but remains wary and respectful at all times, whereas he continuously mocks and humiliates the racist wannabe cowboy Bobby Kopas. It is definitely the sharp and seasoned writing of Elmore Leonard what brings the film to a higher quality level. "Mr. Majestyk" certainly isn't a non-stop spitfire of action sequences, but there are a couple of explosively violent moments that are unforgettable. The escape during the prison transportation, for example, as well as the Ford pick-up chase and the climatic shootout. Great film, highly recommended to all action cinema fanatics!