A moment later when the station wagon crashes into it, only the back is ablaze, the rest of the car has no fire damage whatsoever. The next day, Kopas badly injures Majestyk's foreman Larry Mendoza (Alejandro Rey), as he tries to deliver a load of melons, putting him in hospital. The iconic tough guy actor plays the title role, who merely wants to go about his business in peace. Spoilers ahead: Does Bronson win? As a result, he is thrown in jail on an assault charge. | Majestyk and Nancy drive their pickup truck many miles at high speeds through dusty roads, pot-holes, heavy brush, and several streams. I've seen it umpteen times over the years and still enjoy it immensely. But how he wins and defeats Frank is why you watch the movie. Though it ends in the kind of vigilante justice shoot em up one expects from the star, the action has weight because it's rooted in fundamental principles of storytelling and film craft. Dismissed as workmanlike, solid, or merely effective, Bronson was somehow seen as less of an actor for the very realistic and naturalistic qualities he brought to the screen. The main villain's name in this film is "Frank Renda" which is also the name of the main villain in. In a 47-year career that spanned bit parts in films, TV guest spots, B-picture leads, A-picture supporting roles, European-production head-lining, and belated Hollywood stardom, the summer of 1974 saw the release of a pair of Charles Bronson films that delivered a seismic one-two punch to the box office both domestically and abroad. A prime slab of 70s badassery with fugitive melon rancher Charles Bronson laying down the justice on a bunch of gangsters. 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Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) Filming Location in Colorado: Glenwood Canyon. "Mr. Majestyk" is a relatively obscure '70's action flick loaded with car chases and shootouts. Genres: Crime, Action. When Majestyk crashes through the back windshield of the Mustang to escape, the stuntman is clearly visible. "Mr. Majestyk" is inarguably one of Charles Bronson's most masterful action movie accomplishments (not counting the westerns like "Once Upon a Time in the West" and "The Magnificent Seven" because he didn't play the central character in those) and this is mainly thanks to the skillful writing of Elmore Leonard and the tight direction of Richard Fleischer. This when Majestyk gets on the wrong side of Mafia hit man Frank Renda, after some mobsters tried to break out Frank. July 18 2018, 9:00 am. Full Cast . During the chase scene with the pickup truck, after Majestyk takes over the driving the steering wheel is black with thin spokes. When he runs out of the house and jumps into the back of the truck as the woman drives it away, the truck is facing the other direction and the trailer is not in sight. He learns that guess what? After kicking a local hood off his property, Majestyk is arrested for assault and while being transported to jail, makes a getaway with a mafia assassin who Majestyk enrages. The Ford Motor company used clips from the movie in television commercials to demonstrate how tough their trucks are built. 70s Rewind: MR. MAJESTYK, Melons, Migrants and Murder. During the chase in the canyon, the left headlight is alternately there or missing. Mr. Majestyk is a 1974 American action film directed by Richard Fleischer and written by Elmore Leonard. Great film, highly recommended to all action cinema fanatics! Please register or login to enable Dark Mode. with updates on movies, TV shows, Rotten Tomatoes podcast and more. The movie was filmed in the American state of Colorado, particularly La Junta, which about three hours south of Denver in the same state. Great fun. and the It was made and released about five years after this movie. Renda sends Wiley outside to negotiate with Majestyk, hoping to force him to show himself, but Majestyk sends her away with Nancy. (His hame escapes me, but he was also the bad guy in "The Getaway".) Vince Majestyk (Charles Bronson) is a Vietnam War veteran trying to keep his watermelon farm afloat when he is approached by a crook (Paul Koslo) who tries to force him into employing . Crazy Credits A melon farmer battles organized crime and a hit man who wants to kill him.A melon farmer battles organized crime and a hit man who wants to kill him.A melon farmer battles organized crime and a hit man who wants to kill him. Past a tense but characterstically understated encounter with a station attendant, Majestyk convincing the racist gas-jockey in a strong but low-key voice to let the mainly Hispanic workers use the bathrooms before heading out to the fields, the bus to Majestyks farm is later stopped by a group of local shitkickers led by one shotgun-toting Bobby Kopas (Lee Koslo), who has his own ideas about who should get those Majestyk melons in. See production, box office & company info, Colorado Cool: Richard H. Kline on Richard Fleischer's 'Mr. Mr. Vince Majestyk (Bronson) is a melon farmer, a proud melon farmer at that, who just wants to get his goddamn melons picked and sold this season. Action, Original Language: Release Date: July 17, 1974. He needs to harvest his crop soon in order to keep the farm financially solvent. This was absolutely one of Charles Bronson's best! The Mirisch Corporation [us]. Majestyk is a simple guy who just wants to get his melon crop in, but he steps on some toes, winds up in the drunk tank, and then accidentally foils a ham handed attempt to break a big time criminal out of the same jail. To recall the cinema of Charles Bronson, one can't get far without referencing his sterling epoch in 1970s era American film, a period eclipsed mightily by the star's work with director Michael Winner. Add in a screenplay written by the great Elmore Leonard, whose outstanding short stories and novels have been adapted into the films 3:10 to . In most drive scenes the pickup truck would definitely be torn to pieces, but not here. The police set up roadblocks and launch a helicopter hoping to find them. Metacritic Reviews. Just as the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, Bronson at his Bronson-est undoubtedly makes the dramatic and action-packed most of a piercing green-eyed squint-glare at a pulp-and-seed-strewn mountain of blown-apart melons. Rent this movie along with The Mechanic, and you'll see Bronson in 2 of his finest action films. You move, melon picker. After removing the keys from their vehicle, Majestyk then assaults the cabin, killing Lundy after Renda sacrifices him to save himself. , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. I'm here to say it's a great movie that rises above its boundaries. Elmore Leonards original script, which he turned into one of the all-time-great movie novelizations that same year, takes that bare premise and unleashes it on the cool, crisp Colorado mountain air of late Autumn, building to the films unforgettable image of Rendas mob mowing down a full barn-stock of Majestyk melons with a hail of machine-gun fire. She later worked for some time as a realtor, presided over her own import/export business and invested wisely to become . More at After its initial theatrical run, the movie played as a supporting feature at New York cinemas showing the 1974 James Bond film. Just prior to the big chase, Majestyk pulls the truck into the driveway and parks in front of the house. | And this truck, not modified, performs like a heavyweight on screen. Majestyk hopes to trade Renda to the police in return for being released to finish harvesting his melons. Posters are sourced from TMDb and Posteritati, and appear for you and visitors to your profile and content, depending on settings. Full page view. I really don't know which Bronson character is cooler? The plot isn't hyper-convoluted, but it's definitely more ambitious than the average "Death Wish" sequel in which Charles blows away random street scum. Both Renda and Bobby get this in the climax in different ways. Due to his obsession for it, Frank gets Kopas to drop the charges. Alternate Versions Despite the usual rigors of on-location shooting and some grueling car chase stunts . Menu. Potentially dismissive viewers should be cautioned, though, from underestimating the unyielding strength and resulting follow-through of that central story-line. He then tells his pal Larry to drive them to a purchaser in town. Portions of this film were shot in Colorado. . Then there is Vince's love interest Mexican labor organizer Nancy Chavez ( Linda Cristal). This film, The world of organized crime sucks melon grower Mr. Majestyk into its orbit in this film with its brazenly convoluted plot to which they resort in order to get and then keep the ball rolling. Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter Instead of endless DEATHWISH sequels that numbed the senses, Charlie should have done a sequel to this one. That adds more enemies to his list, and his watermelon farm becomes the target of attack. It is definitely the sharp and seasoned writing of Elmore Leonard what brings the film to a higher quality level. By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and RT25: Celebrating 25 years of Rotten Tomatoes. Also included, like the Koslo commentary, from an earlier Blu-ray release, are 2015-recorded interviews with actress Lee Purcell and late cinematographer Richard H. Kline. By the way Bronson whose real name was Buckinski must have been happy to play a person of Polish ancestry in this one, I believe it is one of the few times he did. Mr. Majestyk is a Charles Bronson movie of uncommon quality. Blu-ray turns out to be a great format for home video mainstay Mr. Majestyk, whose four decade manifestations through Beta Max, VHS, and DVD have tended toward grit-and-grain in a visual presentations perhaps too redolent of the grit-and-grain mid-1970s. i love bronson in this! The villainous characters in "Mr. Majestyk" are interesting personalities. For more Mr. Majestyk, check out the trailer. One crook used a Smith and Wesson Model 76 Sub Machine Gun. I'm thinking to myself that there's no way any vehicle could stand up to that kind of punishment, so I wonder how many they wound up using. Michael Madsen has a One-sheet of " Mr Majestyk" on his wall in " Kill Bill". I love it. The plot which is a bit complex for an action film does not get in the way of any of the action. The Ford truck was not modified to do the stunts, it was pretty much box stock. Helpful. But this one also has a great chase scene with Vince and Nancy in a Ford truck against Frank and his associates. The screenplay was written by Elmore Leonard, who later adapted it into a novelization of the same name. Vince Majestyk a melon farmer trying to get his melons picked is disrupted when his charged for assaulting the no-good Bobby Kopas and finds himself in jail. | Coming Soon. This film will probably never be on a list of the greatest films of all time but it is one of my favourites. Richard Fleischer, Producer: The $25,000 that Renda offers Majestyk would be roughly $150,000 in 2021 dollars. Well, he's too much for any of them when the crap hits the fan, and of course he can't be bought off. The melon farmer only has acquaintance to a beautiful Mexican woman (Linda Crystal) to battle the organized crime . User Ratings Vince Majestyk (Bronson), ex-con and Vietnam War veteran, owns several hundred acres of watermelon fields on the outskirts of La Junta, Colorado. DV noted that Leonard was slated to write the script and United Artists had already agreed to distribute the film. What are you favorite Ford trucks from film or television? (It is incorrectly identified at a 1969 in . In this case, he's dealing with migrant workers he has hired being forced out because of a Syndicate who wants him to hire their migrant workers, and has him put in prison when he stands up to them with a rifle. | The picture talks about a Vietnam veteran (Charles Bronson) attempting to begin a new life in honorable issues . At the end of the cabin scene, when Majestyk and Nancy get into the truck, there is no mirror on the driver's side. "[2] The scene in which Nancy and Majestyk drive away in a pickup truck with Renda's men in hot pursuit became one of the most famous chase sequences of the period, following the recent trend of those in Bullitt (1968) and The French Connection (1971). The script of Mr. Majestyk was Elmore Leonard's attempt to concentrate on the plight of Chicano migrant workers, instead the film that hit screens was extens. About three minutes later, after having disposed of the one vehicle by pushing it over the cliff, the steering wheel is now a completely different style wheel, in blue, with thicker spokes and a clearly-visible horn ring. True fact, and so does this movie, which is also the home of one of the two or three best car chases on film, along with "Bullitt", although this time it isn't a Mustang, but a good old Ford F-150. Character actor extraordinaire Paul Koslo nearly steals the show as the irritating Bobby Kopas. It would have been much more appropriate for his character to have been a veteran of World War II or the Korean War. One film that we think perfectly casts a tough Ford F-100 in the lead role is 1974s Mr. Majestyk. Kline certainly confirms the latter description in discussing his own working methods with Fleischer, and also how that openness extended to some unusual Bronson touches the aforementioned rife-butt to the crotch, a fly-shooting tuck-roll through a bay-window perfectly realized by Fleischer and his crew. Action and thriller with a two-fisted Charles Bronson. After killing the driver he runs for cover and fires four more shots with the same handgun. Renda offers his captor $25,000 for his freedom, but Majestyk declines. Instead of being intimidated, Majestyk knocks Renda down, telling him to "call the cops", further infuriating Renda. Love this movie & loved visiting its filming locations last summer! Video Review. Slideshow: The latest version is a focused off-roader. 378. This time Lundy has two handguns whereas he only had one previously. 9 out of 10 stars because this movie will only get better after each viewing. great example of a character having a goal they care about and thats enough to make the audience care - you dont have to already be invested in melon-farming to get caught up in it. Create new posts and participate in discussions. Mr. Majestyk is a 1974 action film directed by Richard Fleischer (Soylent Green) and starring Charles Bronson as Vince Majestyk, an ex-con and Vietnam veteran whose watermelon farm is threatened by small time mobsters. Movie Info. Directed by: Richard Fleischer. . they must have bought a lot of them for the movie. And it keeps going, showing that these trucks do not have a death wish. MR. MAJESTYK - Charles Bronson at his very best! | When his workers are threatened Mr. Majestyk decides to lend them a hand but then the wrath of the mob is turned onto Mr. Majestyk himself. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Mobilesite. Renda learns the charges for which he had been imprisoned have been dropped. Bronson doing exactly what he does best: being a complacent, dedicated melon farmer and the baddest mother f-er with a rifle simultaneously. Leonard, who wrote the film with an original screenplay, took the name Majestyk from a character in his 1969 crime novel The Big Bounce. The goof item below may give away important plot points. For those unfamiliar with Lettieri think "Sleeping With The Fish." Crazy Credits While I concede that the movie is formulaic and predictable, his acting is top-notch, as is the acting of the supporting cast. Coming Soon. You'll rue the day you messed with Bronson's melons. On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an 82% rating based on 17 reviews. However, upon learning that this movie had Hollywood movie stars in it, and the fact that the picture had been announced as a multi-million dollar venture in the "La Junta Tribune-Democrat" publication, the Melon owner-farmer reportedly increased the price from US $3500 to US $10,000. Variation spellings and working titles of the movie's. I would also note he does gain Frank's respect ( something Bobby could never do). When Majestyk is arrested for roughing up sleazy, worthless little weasel Bobby Kopas (Paul Koslo), it brings him into contact with syndicate hit man Frank Renda (Al Lettieri). Al Lettieri worked for director Richard Fleischer the previous year in 'The Don is Dead'. Because the only crop that was available during the time of filming was watermelons, it was decided that Mr. Majestyk would farm those and not cantaloupes as featured in the original script. Cinemark This movie is simply Bronson's finest work. A 24 May 1972 DV news item announced that film rights to writer Elmore Leonard 's original story, Mr. The movie was filmed on location in La Junta, Colorado, Canon City, Colorado, Rocky Ford, Colorado, and Manzanola, Colorado. | Disgusted, Kopas decides to leave when he realizes Renda will also sacrifice him to get to Majestyk. MR. MAJESTYK - Charles Bronson at his very best! If that weren't enough, you've got one of the great chase scenes on film when Majestyk and Nancy Chavez (Linda Cristal) take turns winding up that Ford-150 through the Colorado scrub and red-rock desert. Bobby Kopas: It ain't sunk into that thick brain of yours yet. Supremely badass, ultra macho '70s action and fast paced shootouts. Majestyk keeps him hostage, in the hope of making a deal with police to overturn his charges. Arguably the ultimate testament to the actors hardbitten presence, and a very entertaining rewatch. Filming Dates. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Kino Lorber releases Mr. Majestyk onto Blu-ray for a second time, this one receiving a new transfer, a 2K master from presumably the original camera negative. Soundtracks. Mr. Majestyk is a 1974 American action film directed by Richard Fleischer and written by Elmore Leonard. Unfazed by Kopas' threats, Majestyk knocks him down and drives him from the premises. Letterboxd Limited. A devotee of literature and cinema, he's here to share what he's picked up along his lonely cinematic path of the omniviewer. But I never get tired of these situations as he writes them, because the stories are all unique, thrilling, well told, and (if you stretch a little) believable. The plot isn't hyper-convoluted, but it's definitely more ambitious than the average "Death Wish" sequel in which Charles blows away random street scum. They also crash through at least one fence and purposely slam into the car carrying the mob men. We seek to create and foster this type of community directly and through various socially based technologies. In this film, Bronson plays Vince Majestyk, a melon farmer who simply wants to bring in his crops on time. Tough but ineffective Lieutenant McAllen (Frank Maxwell), ruthless henchman Gene Lundy (Taylor Lachey), stylish and cooly distant gun moll Wiley (Lee Purcell), good ol boy-turned-mob stooge Bobby Kopas (Lee Koslo); as the characters, situations, and casualties ineluctably mount to violent extremes, there isnt a moment, exchange, or story-beat that isnt directly related to those Majestyk melons. Bronson is usually always dead serious in his staring roles, but here he's a bit of a sarcastic bastard having fun. Vince Majestyk (Bronson) is a war veteran, ex-convict and now melon farmer, who simply just wants to run his farm in peace, which isn't so simple. A natural film grain is evident and during low light scenes, such as when characters are hiding out in an abandoned building or cabin, or shot through the windshield, it increases, but never to the . A local labor racketeer, Bobby Kopas (Paul Koslo) tries to exert pressure on Majestyk to use Kopas' work crew instead of the migrant workers Majestyk has hired. Witness the scene in the prison dining hall. Kino Lorber Studio Classics brings the film to Blu-ray for a second time from a new 2K master, likely from an interpositive. Peter Martin. They go after him but Bronson'll execute his legitimate defense as well as extreme wrath and he'll become in judge , jury and executioner . Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. Trivia Mr. Majestyk (1974) Movies, TV, Celebs, and more. Print Details. Whether they take down the bad guy, outrun a dinosaur, or serve as the leading mans ride, Ford trucks are natural scene-stealers. But whatever, it's a cool showdown between the two of them, especially when Lettierri's girlfriend played by Lee Purcell drives up in a nice red Mustang with white interior and later offers Lettierri a cigarette/hidden gun. Images used in this review are credited to DVDBeaver and reflect the image quality of this Blu-ray. I just want to get my melons in.-Vince Majestyk. After he is placed under house arrest for defending himself against a snot-nosed extortionist named Bobby, and threatened by Mafia hit-man Frank Renda for deciding to turn him in after a prison bus escape, Vince finds himself and his farm at risk from the aligned. The Ford truck was not modified to do the stunts, it was pretty much box stock. IMDb Bronson oozes that cool menace that eventually explodes on screen and he does it with style and class, even when it's over the top. (Namely, no one.). After a series of incidents, Renda comes to utterly despise Majestyk and want him dead. StarringCharles Bronson. Read more. On the back cover there is a picture of Bronson holding a shotgun with a cigarette in his mouth. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available from thestaff@tvtropes.org. Of all Bronson's starring roles, this is his best. Mr. Majestyk (1974) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Mr. Majestyk wanted to deliver the escaped convict Frank Renda back to the police, but his plan failed and now Renda is obsessed with killing Vince with his own hands. He's still his stereotypical violent badass, but he's unusually funny. It's Me, Margaret. There he encounters mobster Frank Renda (Al Lettieri), and instantly makes an enemy when he tries to obstruct the mobster's escape plans. The escape during the prison transportation, for example, as well as the Ford pick-up chase and the climatic shootout. But throw in needy farm-workers, a punkish Paul Koslo, and heavyweight hit-man Al Lettieri, and you've got the makings of an unusual story-line. 29 Apr 2023 20:05:36 One of the reasons is he is up against Al Lettieri ( Frank Renda). Filming & Production | Technical Specs. Bronson, the star of Mr. Majestyk, made a career out of being the hero and often vigilante who was effortlessly cool and tough-as-nails. Bobby turns on Renda because even he was bothered by the fact that Renda intentionally lead Lundy into a trap that got him killed. Read more. All rights reserved. Lee Purcell came up with the idea for her gun moll character Wiley to carry a Bible. 3, GIRL ON A MOTORCYCLE (1968) Blu-ray Review, Max on Movies: A MAN, A WOMAN, AND A BANK (1979), FELIX AND LOLA / LOVE STREET (2001, 2002) Blu-ray Review, HIGH, WIDE AND HANDSOME (1937) Blu-ray Review, WHAAM! However, when it comes to Ford, we have seen that they are still bad to the bone. "Mr. Majestyk" certainly isn't a non-stop spitfire of action sequences, but there are a couple of explosively violent moments that are unforgettable. He's not afraid of Renda but remains wary and respectful at all times, whereas he continuously mocks and humiliates the racist wannabe cowboy Bobby Kopas.
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