Film · TMDB
6.9After his wife is murdered by street punks, a pacifistic New York City architect becomes a one-man vigilante squad, prowling the streets for would-be muggers after dark.
Released: 1974-07-2493 minDir: Michael WinnerCrime, Drama, ActionBudget: $3.0MBox office: $76.6MPart of: Death Wish Collection
Cast
- Charles Bronson as Paul Kersey
- Hope Lange as Joanna Kersey
- Vincent Gardenia as Frank Ochoa
- Steven Keats as Jack Toby
- William Redfield as Sam Kreutzer
- Stuart Margolin as Aimes Jainchill
Themes
~20 min read
Article
Death Wish is a 1974 American vigilante action drama film directed by Michael Winner. The film, loosely based on the 1972 novel of the same title by Brian Garfield and the first installment in the Death Wish film series, stars Charles Bronson as Paul Kersey, alongside Hope Lange, Vincent Gardenia, William Redfield, Kathleen Tolan and Christopher Guest. In the film, Paul Kersey, an architect leading a peaceful life, resorts to vigilantism after his wife Joanna is murdered and daughter Carol Kersey Toby is raped during a home invasion.
At the time of release, Death Wish was criticized for its apparent support of vigilantism and advocating unlimited punishment of criminals. The novel allegedly denounced vigilantism, whereas the film embraced the notion. The film was a commercial success and resonated with the public in the United States, which was experiencing increasing crime rates during the 1970s.