Review of Hard Times

Introduction

Chaney (Bronson) drifts into town with 6 dollars to his name and no easy way of making more. He happens upon an illegal bare knuckles fight and later meets one of the `promoters` Speed (Coburn) in a local fish bar.

What develops from here is the story of Chaneys` need for money and Speeds` need for a way to pay off his debts.

Chaney becomes New Orleans biggest name in fighting, taking on all comers before his chance to prove himself against the best.

Of course, this is all for money.

Along the way he meets a woman who becomes his girlfriend (Ireland), who whilst not disapproving of his money making activities, seeks more security in life.

Video

Absolutely superb. The anamorphic presentation is sharp and has depth and clarity that some modern films can only dream of.

The scens in the darkened pool halls and factories have tremendous character and mood, with cones of light from the ceiling fixtures penetrating the smokey gloom. During these scenes the dark areas have detail and are not just mush, while the lit area are clear with much detail.

During the fight scenes the clarity of sweat being hit off the fighters heads is superb.

There is very little noise evident, with only a little in the opening titles I seem to remember.

Audio

On the box the audio track is promoted as single channel mono, but it actually decodes to 2 channel stereo which does sound good, although of course not upto the full 5.1 experience.

Seperation is good between the left and right hand channels with a good amount of bass behind the landed punches.

An excellent soundtrck accompanies the film which truly enhances the experience of being in New Orleans and its surrounding counrty enclaves. The scene where Chaney has his second fight is a good example.

Features

The usual region 2 compliment of a trailer and filmographies of Bronson, Coburn and the director are all we get.

The trailer is a non-anamorphic affair that has definitelt not been through the same process as the main feature.

The menus are still although they look quite good.

Conclusion

A truly excellent film and a truly superb transfer.

I had never seen this film before but when I put it in the machine just to watch the trailer, I found myself watching the lot.

James Coburn is very good as Speed, the wide boy with a wallet like a holey bucket and Bronson is just Bronson. Never before has the phrase Charles Bronson is Charles Bronson in a Charles Bronson film been so accurately used.

Poe (Strother Martin) is excellent as the opium addicted medic that Speed employs to look after Chaney, who he describes as `not a bleeder`.

The fight scenes are amazing. The final scene took over a week to film and you can see why. The camera work and choreography are mind blowing.

Excellent film, excellent disc, highly recommended for Bronson fans and fans of good atmospheric movies.

Also hands up who wants to look like Bronson in this movie when they are over 55!!!