The Mechanic (1972)

In the 70s, when you talked about action heroes, one of the names at the top of the list was tough guy Charles Bronson. He helped to create and immortalize some of the best characters and action sequences to be put to film by that time in Hollywood. With as many films that Bronson had done over the years there are always some that don't the recognition that they deserve, The Mechanic is one of those films. The director here is Michael Winner, who also directed Bronson in the first three Death Wish movies, shows that he has a great understanding of the suspense thriller that grabs the audience and never lets go. A hit man for "The Organization" Arthur Bishop takes on an aspiring apprentice, who learns quickly that the teacher doesn't always teach you all the tricks of the trade. At sometime during the life of this film the title was changed to "Killer of Killers" thankfully it was changed back to "The Mechanic" which makes more since and the term is explained in the movie. The film moves along very quickly and before you know it, it's over, but what keeps it moving is the constant flow of action and a story that sucks you in. A young Jan-Michael Vincent plays the pupil and does a wonderful job as the spoiled rich kid whose always looking for a new thrill to wet his appetite on. By today's standards the effects are dated and look cheap, but it has the feel of real life, for when is an explosion as spectacular as in the movies. The ending is not your typical movie ending and it will get you just when you think you know what's going on.
Bronson is one of the great film actors who has starred in some of the biggest films of all time, from "The Great Escape" to "The Magnificent Seven" to the "Death Wish" series, he has shown that the strong silent type of man can be the good guy and kick ass doing it. Of all the films that he did over the years there a few forgotten gems that get by people who only know him for the hits that got more play in theaters and on television. This is one of those films that once you see it, it'll become a regular staple in your library of movies to be watched over and over, so enjoy a classic from the hay day of movie making.