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The Mechanic (1972)

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Reviews: 79 user | 57 critic

An aging hitman befriends a young man who wants to be a professional killer. Eventually it becomes clear that someone has betrayed them.

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Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
Linda Ridgeway ...
Louise, Steve McKenna's Girlfriend
...
James Davidson ...
Intern
Lindsay Crosby ...
Policeman
Steve Cory ...
Messenger
Tak Kubota ...
Yamoto (as Takayuki Kubota)
Patrick O'Moore ...
Old Man
Martin Gordon ...
American Tourist
...
The Mark's Girl
Athena Lorde ...
Old Woman
Alison Rose ...
Young Girl
Edit

Storyline

A professional hit man is planning to retire, always a difficult move for one in such a profession. A young apprentice appears to be eager to learn all the skills of the trade - but is that all he wants? Written by Steve Crook <steve@brainstorm.co.uk>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

He fixes people so they never work again. See more »

Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

14 December 1972 (West Germany)  »

Also Known As:

Killer of Killers  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Gross:

SEK 896,179 (Sweden)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Body count: 25 See more »

Goofs

When Bishop pins up the papers that he gets in the special delivery, he puts the pin in the top middle of the paper. In the next shot, the papers are pinned in both the top left and right corners. See more »

Quotes

Arthur Bishop: It takes a special kind of person to do that.
Steve McKenna: I can dig it.
Arthur Bishop: You say you can "dig it". But, the fact is that you don't know what you're talking about.
Steve McKenna: You do?
Arthur Bishop: Do I?
Steve McKenna: Interesting. When he's cornered, he answers questions with questions.
See more »

Connections

References Le Samouraï (1967) See more »

Soundtracks

Grosse Fugue Op.133
Written by Ludwig van Beethoven
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Cult Movies 15
4 January 1999 | by (Australia) – See all my reviews

15. THE MECHANIC (action, 1972) Arthur Bishop (Charles Bronson) is the mechanic, a hit man hired by the Organization as an assassin. Bishop's contact to the Organization is Harry, a long time confidant of his late father. Bishop is meticulous in his work. He is without feelings or remorse, the consummate professional. Bishop's next target is Harry. He carries the job through without hesitation. Harry's son Steve (Jan-Michael Vincent) lives the life of a dilettante playboy. He suspects Bishop's involvement in his father's death, and tries to find out what his ties to the Organization truly are.

Critique: As far as spy and espionage films go 'The Mechanic' is one of the best. Not only for those Charles Bronson aficionados (like myself), but for lovers of well-made action films. Michael Winner's clever direction adds a sparkle to the genre. He sets up interesting insights into an assassin's mode of work.

A cut above Death Wish (1974- Bronson's best known film), in both content and script, Bronson's performance is the epitome of cool. He's perfect at playing a character that has been totally detached from the outside world, and a man trapped in a world he can only have created. In the same way that Steve McQueen used his laconic presence to great effect, Winner makes full use of Bronson's craggy features.

QUOTE: Bishop: "Murder is killing without a license. Everybody kills."


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this movie sucked. eagleye_25
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