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Hard Times

Play trailer Poster for Hard Times PG 1975 1h 32m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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71% Tomatometer 89 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
During the Great Depression, Chaney (Charles Bronson) bare-knuckle boxes to survive. Speed (James Coburn), an avid gambler, recognizes his talent and becomes his manager. They hire a cut man named Poe (Strother Martin), and Speed borrows cash from some gangsters to bet on Chaney's fight. They win, but Speed gambles and loses his portion and remains in debt. In the end, a rival manager named Gandil (Michael McGuire) buys Speed's debt and forces Chaney to fight Speed against his toughest foe yet.
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Hard Times

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Critics Consensus

Hard Times occasionally gets knocked down by its slight and overly brutish narrative, but strong performances, atmospheric grit, and Walter Hill's sparse direction elevate it into a compellingly pulpy fable.

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Critics Reviews

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John Simon New York Magazine/Vulture Sep 27
Its rickety plot is a mere excuse for frequent, long, and ugly scenes of fisticuffs, unreal even in their conception of how much punishment the human body can take. Go to Full Review Frank Rich New York Post Sep 27
Screenwriter Walter Hill... has made an enviable directorial debut and given Charles Bronson the best starring vehicle he's ever had. Go to Full Review Dilys Powell The Times (UK) Sep 27
It is brief, it is economical. I think it is to be remembered. Go to Full Review Frank Gagnard Times-Picayune 5d
In his attempt at mythic structure, writer-director Hill has made everything drier and less meaningful than life. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert T @RT70963987 Feb 8 This is one of the best movies depicting the depression era since Grapes of Wrath. Beautiful shots of the New Orleans and surrounding area enhances the film. Outstanding performances and storyline. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Oct 13 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Mark N @RT84231421 Aug 17 The best bare knuckle boxing movie ever. And one of the best boxing movies of all time. Definitive Chuck Bronson. Great James Coburn. And a great performance by the best supporting actor of all time - Strother Martin. Bogged down only by a romantic sub plot between Chuck and his real wife, Jill Ireland. Great Louisiana locations. See more welsh l @RT56520802 Jul 29 A perfectly cast movie. The pace correctly matches the era. Bronson is ideal as the silent assassin falling into Coburn’s lap for one last run at the big time. The fights are well judged and not too theatrical. The finale honest & decent. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 16 Success in 1 hour and 32 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more BARMOUTH B @RT67215077 09/27/2024 Amazing depiction of a struggle in a struggling country. James Coburn is utterly believable as the bare knuckle promoter who’s gambling stumps any real progress. In walks Bronson’s old school hard man with no past & no money but dynamite fists. They slowly defeat all combatants raising the stakes each time. Leading to the climax against the mob boss and all his ambitions. You’ll have to watch it to grasp it’s slow burn beauty. See more Read all reviews
Hard Times

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Cast & Crew

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Walter Hill

Director

Charles Bronson

Chaney

James Coburn

Speed

Jill Ireland

Lucy Simpson

Strother Martin

Poe

Margaret Blye

Gayleen Schoonover

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Hard Times

Hard Times (1975) Hard Times (1975) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis During the Great Depression, Chaney (Charles Bronson) bare-knuckle boxes to survive. Speed (James Coburn), an avid gambler, recognizes his talent and becomes his manager. They hire a cut man named Poe (Strother Martin), and Speed borrows cash from some gangsters to bet on Chaney's fight. They win, but Speed gambles and loses his portion and remains in debt. In the end, a rival manager named Gandil (Michael McGuire) buys Speed's debt and forces Chaney to fight Speed against his toughest foe yet.
Director
Walter Hill
Producer
Lawrence Gordon
Screenwriter
Bruce Henstell, Bryan Gindoff, Walter Hill
Production Co
Columbia Pictures, Claridge Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 14, 2014
Runtime
1h 32m
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