Rating:  -
Not a great film by any means, but mildly diverting. However, all credibility is lost in one key scene.
J. Lee Thompson, director of GUNS OF NAVARONE and the original CAPE FEAR is amazing example of a man whose considerble skills deteriorated over time. This one is OK, but he degernerated even further in his later collaborations with Bronson.
The film lost it for me during a scene where the assorted characters are making an exchange of goods in a drive-in movie. The marquee says something like "Western Double Feature" and if you look at the screen, it's the same 20 second loop of a cattle stampede.
So the other moviegoers drove in not knowing the names of the movies they were seeing and were staring at the same 20 seconds of film run over and over again.
I know from fond memories that drive-ins were make-out hangouts back in the day and we didn't always focus on the movie, but this is ridiculous!
Rating:  -
I first saw this film in a theatre in Summer, 1976, and have since watched it on TV several times, awaiting the day the DVD would be issued.
It is easily said that this is not only one of my favorite Bronson films, but just one of my favorite films in general. There is an ambience or quality to this film that just reaches out to me. Everything just works.
The other reviews listed here sum up the movie pretty well. But I will say I am surprised that only one reviewer mentions in passing one role that helps make this movie, and that is the one played by Dana Elcar. Elcar plays a detective on the police force who is not only friendly to St. Ives, but somewhat protective by the latitude he offers. At the ending, it is of course natural that Dana Elcar's character is called in by St. Ives to help tidy up the messy details. Dana Elcar was a supreme actor both in the movies and on TV, and it is true tragedy that he ended life going blind.
If you enjoy Bronson movies, or laid back, cool detective movies this one is for you. Now, if I can just locate that great looking cafeteria in this movie I will be all set. Ray St. Ives sure knew where to eat, but never learned not to bet on the Los Angeles Rams!
Semper Fi.
Rating:  -
I'm nearing the end on a quest to see all of Bronson's flicks and just came to St. Ives. For reference, I consider his best films to be The Mechanic, Hard Times, and Death Wish 1. I only wish I would have seen this one sooner. Kinda throws you off to see Bronson cast as a reporter but rest assured, there are plenty of people getting killed, falling from buildings, car chases, fights and VERY witty one liners to boot. Great story, great acting, super supporting cast and another fantastic score by the great Mr. Lalo Schifrin. I wish Lalo had scored more Bronson films, particularly the Death Wish series. Bronson really proved he can act here and it makes one wonder why he chose the Death Wish-type stuff for the entire last ten of his filmmaking years. Really a fine film and highly recommended!! Just make sure you see this film BEFORE you see Breakout, Death Hunt, Death Wish 3/4/5 or Kinjite. Let's get this on DVD Warner!! Now off to find out about The White Buffalo, 10 to Midnight and Murphys Law....
Rating:  -
Charles Bronson is Ray St. Ives, an ex-LA cop, turned struggling writer. A man who could use a decent payday to help offset his gambling losses and alimony bills. Excentric Abner Procane (John Houseman), has had some valuable ledgers stolen, and offers St. Ives a job as the go-between in the ransom process.
Things get off to a rocky start, when at the rendezvous at a laundromat, a dead man turns up spinning in a washer and no exchange takes place. Others are interested in the ledgers too, and as St. Ives investigates, attempts are made to get him off the case, and more bodies start turning up as well. Eventually he does get the ledgers back, and then becomes involved in an off beat robbery scheme. The plot works well up to a point, and then credibility begins to fade. The ending does wrap up the loose ends, and features a surprise or two, and a teaser.
It is amusing to see the usually upright Houseman, as a criminal type, dressing up in a "cat burglar" outfit for nocturnal activities. The rest of the cast is also interesting. Jacqueline Bisset, is a former cop in charge of Procane's security, and Maximillan Schell is Procane's psychiatrist. Underrated Dana Elcar is St Ives's buddy on the force. Also appearing are Harry Guardino, and Daniel Travanti, and as young hoods, Jeff Goldblum and Robert "Freddy Krueger" Englund.
Lalo Schifrin does some nice work on the score. And veteran J. Lee Thompson (Guns of Navarone) directs one of Bronson's better efforts. Worth a look if you get the chance.
Rating: -
Charles Bronson shows the crittics that he can act in a more
complex murder/mystery than his usual tough guy revenge films
and do an outstanding Job. Bronson Plays Ray St.Ives a famous
crime reporter turned author who is in finacial trouble takes
a job offered to him by his lawyer to act as a go between and deliver a huge sum of money to those who have stolen incrimanating ledgers from a devious, eccentric old crime kingpin(John Houseman)So after failed attempts to deilver the money for the ledgers the exchange does get transacted but their are four pages missing from the ledgers than Bronson blackmails Houseman to take him on the mission to find the missing pages putting himself in danger. This is definalty one of the best films of the seventies and certainly one of the best films
Charles Bronson has ever done. Here he plays a smart,cool type
of indivdual who uses more words than his fists. Great cast
includes Jacquline Bisset a red head beauty just at the start
of her carrer played the femme fatele to a T. I'ts a shame Bronson didn't do more of these type of films because the man can
act beyond his usual tough guy exploits and he proves that in
this film.
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