The Mechanic (1972)

My favorite Charles Bronson film is The Mechanic. Actually, I haven't seen many Charles Bronson films but The Mechanic is definitely on my list of all-time favorite films in general. I first saw it as a child when my Dad was watching it on TV and I've since seen it a few times and own it on DVD.



The first thing that makes this film great is that there's absolutely no dialogue for the first 16 minutes. You'd think it may get boring but it's quite the opposite.


The art direction is great (Bronson's got a cool pad) and I like how director Michael Winner composes his frames. He's a fan of depth of field composition where he'll have a large figure close to the camera and a smaller figure further away...all neatly composed.




As for the plot...Charles Bronson plays Arthur Bishop, a professional hit man. Meticulous to a fault and as calculatingly efficient as can be, Bishop systematically completes his missions and returns to his mansion each night. Soon after eliminating one of his old friends, he becomes attached to the dead man's young and impertinent son Steve (Jan-Michael Vincent), which quickly progresses from friendship to business relationship...(more plot later).






In the scene below, Arthur Bishop accompanies Steve to his girlfriends house after Steve gets a suicide call from her. The two are there to "stop" her? This is the scene where Arthur Bishop witnesses just how ruthless Steve McKenna can be and how he may make a good apprentice.



Here's an aside...Arthur Bishop also seems to be a fan of one of my favorite painters, Hieronymus Bosch. I suppose the director threw that in to show the inner torment of Arthur Bishop. Nonetheless, did I mention how cool Bishop's pad is?




*****Semi-Spoiler Alert!!!*****

(Back to the plot) Bishop, who's sick and planning to retire, agrees to mentor Steve in the tricks of the trade as an "associate". But Bishop has broken a rule in taking Steve under his wing without first getting approval from "The Man" and is therefore marked for death with a contract that Steve has accepted!



*****Huge-Spoiler Alert!!!*****

Bishop quickly discovers the hit on him and Steve's involvement but plays along with "the game" not knowing when he'll strike. Bishop also realizes that Steve learned from the best and will most likely carry out the contract successfully. But Bishop will have his vengeance...even if it's from the grave.








Here's video of one of the coolest endings ever...



And here's a few songs from the soundtrack for The Mechanic by Jerry Fielding...

[DOWNLOAD] The Mechanic (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
1. Main Title
2. The Mechanic
3. The Big Chase / The Big Drop

Do yourself a favor...Netflix The Mechanic now!