Paul Kersey is an architect, and a peaceful man. But when his wife and daughter are attacked in their apartment, his world falls apart.
His wife is killed and his daughter is in catatonic state. His boss decides that Paul needs to get out of New York so he sends him to Arizona to meet with a client. While there the client, gets Paul interested in guns and gives him one as a gift.
When Paul returns, he brings the gun out with him and when a mugger tries to jump him, Paul kills him.
After that he goes vigilante. The police are investigating the killings, but the public feels thankful that someone out there is taking a stand......
Bronson has been in much better films for sure, but when anybody mentions his name,this is the film that they instantly think of, it's his most iconic role, and despite its exploitation roots, its a pretty high concept movie.
It's such a brilliant concept, Bronson gets angry, gets a gun and puts the world to rights. Why should people be scared to walk the streets? Yes, he's breaking the law, but aren't all the comic book movie heroes in theory breaking the law?
In fact, this has many similarities to the Batman origin story, family are killed, hero protects the city via the night and the shadows, the only difference is that Kersey kills the bad guys.
Its sharp, cold and relentless, easily Winners best movie, and although the sequels stretched the boundaries of realism, they don't tarnish this movie, because they are just over the top action movies (but lots of fun).
Its a great movie, lots of fun, and it thankfully answers its own morality, would make a great companion piece with Winners Dirty Weekend, which is just this film but with a lady in the lead.
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