Reviews

I collect vampire flicks. I taped this movie off SciFi several years ago. The edited version is choppy at best. I was able to track down a tape (non-widescreen) to view it unedited. The movie made so much more sense than the edited version. I hope they market this on DVD to see it as close to cinema quality as possible. I liked the movie because of the relationship between Moriarity his son and girlfriend (now a vampire too). The music was quite good too. I did find it a little disconcerting that people like Andrew Dugan, June Havoc and Evelyn Keyes were wasting their talents here. The crusty Nazi hunter was amusing too and with all his crude remarks and cuss-words adding a certain charm. I recommend the uncut version.

Rather than see this uncut at a movie theatre, I had to settle for last-best. I purchased the DVD. The photography was very good. There seemed to be a plot, but between the film editing and the "pan and scan" screen, it is difficult to follow. I would really like to see the director's cut, widescreen version of this movie (if it exists).

From the second credits rolled at the beginning of the movie, information and images were truncated on the left and right side of the screen making it difficult to understand players, directors, etc. The format continued throughout the movie which I am certain crippled the full impact of the plot to shine.

The editing in the movie was frightening. There were several abrupt jumps from one scene to the next making it clear the viewer was left out in the cold. We don't even know whether the additional material was critical to our understanding. I expect that these chunks of film that were left on the cutting room floor were sexual.

The cast was interesting, and all the women were beautiful whether clothed or not.

This movie is worth the time, but try not to waste too much money doing so.

I cannot think of anything that I did not like about the TCA. I read some of the other reviews, and I can understand why they might come to their conclusions to the contrary.

First, McQueen does look a little out of character being a financier, but as in most of his other roles, he is in control of the situation. He plays the loner outside of the situation and/or system. Even the women that came into his arms are issued temporary visa only as shown by Faye Dunaway left holding the bag at the end of the movie. He played her like a violin.

Someone mentioned that they hated the multiple shots used in several scenes, and that it was overused and probably pointless. I completely disagree. I think that it adds dimension and excitement when it used. During the robbery, the viewer can witness several aspects of the caper as it unfolds. The polo shots were fantastic and exciting.

To me McQueen was a bit of a mystery. What did he really want? "Kicks" as suggested by Paul Burke the police investigator? He told Faye Dunaway that it was he against the system, which leaves me a little less than satisfied. He certainly seemed to be bored. Everything came to him too easily.

Faye Dunaway started out great with the pitbull attitude toward reclaiming the money for the insurance reward. I liked the repartee at the initial meeting with McQueen at the art auction. I felt she showed weakness at their first dinner meeting when McQueen accused her of having a "funny, dirty little mind". The surveillance, "replacing the carpet" in his mansion and IRS audits forever were good blows she landed. McQueen always seemed to be one step ahead. Even before the last robbery when he said he had to know where she stood, I think he already was on the plane to Europe without her. For Faye, it was a lose-lose situation. Whether she ever was really in love with him or not, she got far to close to draw the line.

The chess scene in McQueen's den was probably the sexiest scene I have ever witnessed. Everything occurred in the viewer's mind -- no nudity or anything more than kiss on screen.

This movie was wonderful, a very good look at a refreshing look at the 60s with wealth and power. Even cigarette smoking had not become a pariah.

PS: I saw the Pierce Brosnan version of TCA, and it was zero in my estimation, and that was with the nudity. Don't waste your time on it.

This movie is even better than when it first came out in 1974. Those of us old enough to have seen it then can understand what I am talking about. There was a great deal of 70s mentality in this film hence the term Zeitgeist. Urban squalor, violence, apathy, and fear permeate this movie, and were big political issues at the time. During the police investigation, one of the key suspect groups suggested by the Chief of Police was the Vietnam vet - nothing like serving your country faithfully. The Vietnam War was just over, and the Vietnam vets were viewed as potential psychos for any number of reasons real or imagined. The police in NYC are always an easy target, and are shown as being ineffectual. In one scene on the subway, two thugs enter the car, and the cop moves away from them to another car.

As the movie unfolds, Bronson's wife is murdered and the daughter is raped into catatonia during a robbery at their apartment. Bronson feels hopeless for a time after dealing with the system. A work related trip to Tucson breathes some life into him. He comes back to NYC with a pistol a client had given him as a surprise gift. One night while walking, a junkie tries to rob him, and becomes Bronson's first vigilante kill. Thereafter several shooting and deaths occur as others try to rob him. The police figure out that they must have a vigilante on their hands -- even a blind pig can find an acorn. The crime rates plummet, people begin to stand up to the muggers, and the cops start getting scared.

By some miracle, the police trim the list down to Bronson. The Police Chief in charge of the investigation is called in by the DA and other bigwigs for a chat. They tell the Chief that they don't want the vigilante because of all of the publicity the he has gotten. Apparently the public loves him, and cops don't want to look really bad by not being to protect people and then arresting the one person that is fighting back and inspiring others to do the same. They instruct the Chief to "scare him off".

The Chief tries to scare him off, but only makes his point after Bronson has been shot and has no other choice. Bronson makes a bon mot by stating the obvious -- get out of town before sundown.

This movie, while presenting all the darker elements of human nature, is a good movie from a historical perspective and proving once again "revenge" will always sell theatre tickets!

I greatly enjoyed this movie. I wasn't expecting an Oscar Nominee. I was expecting entertainment which I received. I alway enjoy Seagal's early movies. The martial arts scenes were great. The plot and photography were excellent too. However, there were some scenes which were inserted that allowed the action to cool for a minute that seemed out of place. The divorce between Seagal and his wife were not believable. Forsyth as Lupo was a dead on choice. He was absolutely convincing as an evil junkie. I also like Gershon a lot, and she was very hot in this movie. I have the VHS tape, and have watched this movie many times. I will likely buy the DVD too.