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Bronson (2008)

R  |   |  Action, Biography, Crime  |  13 March 2009 (UK)
7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 72,399 users   Metascore: 71/100
Reviews: 139 user | 217 critic | 22 from Metacritic.com

A young man who was sentenced to seven years in prison for robbing a post office ends up spending three decades in solitary confinement. During this time, his own personality is supplanted by his alter-ego, Charles Bronson.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Gordon Brown ...
Amanda Burton ...
Mark Devenport ...
Nurse 1 (as Mark Davenport)
Paul Donnelly ...
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Jon House ...
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Holly Lucas ...
Young Man
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Prison Governor
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Storyline

In 1974, a hot-headed 19 year old named Michael Peterson decided he wanted to make a name for himself and so, with a homemade sawn-off shotgun and a head full of dreams he attempted to rob a post office. Swiftly apprehended and originally sentenced to 7 years in jail, Peterson has subsequently been behind bars for 34 years, 30 of which have been spent in solitary confinement. During that time, Michael Petersen, the boy, faded away and 'Charles Bronson,' his superstar alter ego, took center stage. Inside the mind of Bronson - a scathing indictment of celebrity culture. Written by Anonymous

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

The Man. The Myth. The Celebrity.


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violent and disturbing content, graphic nudity, sexuality and language | See all certifications »

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Details

Country:

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Release Date:

13 March 2009 (UK)  »

Also Known As:

Бронсон  »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£258,360 (UK) (13 March 2009)

Gross:

$104,792 (USA) (25 December 2009)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Jason Statham was originally asked to play Charles Bronson but scheduling conflicts prevented him from appearing in this film. See more »

Goofs

When Charlie is dancing with the "loonies", "It's a Sin" by Pet Shop Boys is played out of the stereo. The song was not released until 1987. See more »

Quotes

[last lines]
Charles Bronson: Right! That's enough! He's had enough, come on, get him out of here! Go on and get him the fuck out of here, he's had enough! Come on! You fucking cunts! No class next week. Right!
See more »

Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: Episode #8.37 (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

The Electrician
Written by Scott Walker (as Engel)
Performed by The Walker Brothers
Published by Complete Music/Universal Music Publishing
Courtesy of Sony BMG © 1978
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Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
Not Hardy to sell!
15 August 2010 | by (Miami, Fl) – See all my reviews

As I was watching the first 30 minutes of the bio flick "Bronson", I thought it had a death wish or something. It does take a while to let this movie hit you. "Bronson" is based on the true story of who is called England's most notorious prisoner, that would be Michael Peterson better known by his alias Charlie Bronson. He has been incarcerated for 36 years, and 31 in solitary confinement. He never killed anyone, just was convicted of armed robbery a few times; but it was his feisty ways in the prisons and psych wards he did time in that got him all that time. Instead of trying to breakout, Bronson wanted to stay in prison but not exactly as a Solitary Man. He relished on physically brutalizing prison guards and other cellmates, not to mention taking a few as hostages. Bronson also had an artistic side that is also highlighted in Writer-Director's Nicolas Winding Refn movie. Refn's screenplay with Brock Norman Brock did escape the rules of viewer engagement from time to time with its extreme bizarreness, but somehow it boldly & bloody worked. Kudos goes to Refn for orchestrating those power-punching scenes where Charlie B. is refn so many up. Also, I must commend his direction of the comedic scenes of observing Charlie readapting to social civilization upon being released after his first "prison tour of duty". But "Bronson" would not be a brawny feature without the tour-de-performance of Tom Hardy. This Hardy Boy sure did not lack a punch with his dead-ringer Bronson transformation. It will be hard to knock out Hardy as a surefire grand actor for years to come. It is hard to fathom that this is the same actor who played The Cleaner in "Inception", two exemplary performances but diverse in so many ways. "Bronson" is worth putting in the time for no better reason just to witness Tom Hardy's extraordinaire hard work. So pass Go and matchup with "Bronson". ***** Excellent


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