Welcome to Wild Card Wednesday and another installment of Original vs. Remake. Today’s movie is the 1972 version of The Mechanic. Tiffany A. White will do the 2011 remake at her blog this Friday.
Today is a little different than usual because I’ve actually seen both the original and the remake. I’ll comment briefly on which one I recommend at the end of this post.
The Movie
In the story world of this movie, the word mechanic refers to a hitman who makes his murders look like accidents. As the film’s title suggests, this movie is about such an individual.
Homemade summary:
An aging hitman befriends the son of one of his victims and begins to train him in the business. Will the student outsmart the teacher?
The Mechanic starred Charles Bronson and Jan Michael Vincent. Charles Bronson’s wife, Jill Ireland, also had a bit role in the film.
Michael Winner served as director. Winner and Bronson had previously worked together on Chato’s Land. Winner went on to work with Charles Bronson in Death Wish 1-3 and in The Stone Killer.
Watch the preview:
The Mechanic’s Lonely Life
The Mechanic is a guy named Arthur Bishop. A long action sequence with no dialogue takes up the first fifteen minutes of the movie. This sequence shows Arthur doing what he does best—assassinating his target and making it look like an accident. As the movie goes forward, we learn that Arthur has a pretty lonely life.
He lives in a beautiful house—alone. He pays a prostitute (Jill Ireland—his real life wife) to enact elaborate scenarios in which she pretends they actually have more than a business relationship. He visits a man, pretending to be his friend, and later kills him on orders from the mysterious organization for which he works.
The Mechanic’s Friend
Then, things change. Arthur befriends the son of one of his latest victim. He sees a coldness in Steve McKenna (Jan Michel Vincent) that will lend itself to learning the trade of mechanic. Arthur knows he’s getting older and that he won’t be able to do his job forever.
After a botched assasination, the mysterious organization calls a meeting with Arthur. They didn’t approve bringing Steve on board and aren’t happy Arthur made such an important decision all by his lonesome.
Predator or Prey?
From that moment forward, it becomes obvious that Arthur’s days are numbered. Will he be able to use his smarts to escape? Or has he finally overestimated his own craftiness?
I didn’t realize until I began researching this post that Charles Bronson’s character was actually working for “the good guys.” All this time, I thought he worked for some international crime ring. But if you watch the trailer for the movie, it clearly paints Arthur (Bronson) as someone who is fighting crime for the greater good.
Trivia
Some trivia associated with The Mechanic:
- Cliff Robertson (Ben Parker in the Spiderman movie franchise) was considered for the role of Arthur Bishop
- Jeff Bridges (The Last Picture Show, The Big Lebowski, Crazy Heart) was originally considered for the role of Steve McKenna
- The Husqvarna motorcycles used in the big chase scene were specially modified for the film to hit speeds of 110 miles per hour
To Watch or Not to Watch?
The Mechanic is a film you need to see—even if it’s just because you aren’t familiar with Charles Bronson. He was excellent at playing a certain type of character. Nobody did cold, calculating, and deadly like Charles Bronson did.
Also, you need to watch this to see just how hot Jan Michael Vincent was. Brad Pitt looks like a surprised moose compared to young Jan Michael Vincent. Mr. Vincent has come to a sad twilight in his life and career. But back in the day, he was smokin’.
Original vs. Remake
Having seen both the original and the remake, I’ll say that you can’t go wrong with either version. The plot of both movies is very similar.
Both are very exciting for different reasons. Seeing Charles Bronson in his prime has a special kind of magic. But seeing Jason Statham–who is much more good looking–play the role is fun, too.
I’d say the remake has a bit happier of an ending than the original. But the original has a touch of poetic justice that the remake doesn’t.
Floor is open. Are you a Charles Bronson fan? If so, what’s your favorite movie of his? OR Do you love action movies or avoid them at all costs?
Don’t forget to check out Tiffany’s thoughts on the 2011 remake of The Mechanic this Friday.
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William Simon said:
I remember the original when it was first released, and the audience gasped at the final scenes. Any movie, regardless of genre, that can make the audience react like that…. that is what it’s all about.
I keep thinking someone needs to re-make the Bronson movie TEN TO MIDNIGHT. It was way ahead of its time in terms of psychopathy, predictors, stress that triggers a killing spree, etc. Unfortunately at the time, it was dismissed as “just another Bronson movie”, but in my opinion, it’s one of his better films.
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Catie Rhodes said:
The first time I saw The Mechanic, the final scenes really surprised me. So I would have gasped, too. LOL
I have never watched Ten to Midnight. Or, if I have, I’ve forgotten it. Someone might remake it yet. Critical acclaim does not seem to be a requirement in choices for movie remakes. I was surprised to read that The Mechanic was dismissed in its day.
You may disagree with me on this, but I think that critical acclaim does not necessarily equal a movie I am going to enjoy.
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William Simon said:
“Disagree” with you, Catie? Hell no…. firmly on your side!
I cannot begin to count the movies or books that were hailed as the Second Coming by the “Critics”, and left me feeling, “Meh.” Conversely, the ones that get savaged (as did a lot of Bronson’s, Eastwood’s, et. al) are all time favorites.
If you have seen TEN TO MIDNIGHT, put it on your list with a bullet (if you’ll pardon the expression…:)) It really is very well done; a nice tight thriller that doesn’t stop from the opening scenes. The final scene will make you cheer….:)
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William Simon said:
“have” should be “haven’t”. I think my keyboard is broken again…:)
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Catie Rhodes said:
No problem. I have days like that, too.
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susielindau said:
I remember Jan Michael Vincent. What ever happened to him? Must click on your link.
I don’t think I ever saw this movie. One to rent! Thanks!
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Catie Rhodes said:
The short story is that Jan Michael Vincent’s addiction destroyed him.
Now for the long story. Jan Michael Vincent had a car accident in 1998 in which he broke three vertebrae in his neck. A year later, he pled not guilty for DWI in that same accident. In the early 2000s, he was arrested for both public intoxication and domestic violence. In 2008, he was involved in another car accident. Just kind of sad way to end up.
And, yes, you should definitely rent The Mechanic.
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susielindau said:
That is so sad….
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Stacy Green said:
This is one I haven’t seen, but it sounds pretty interesting. And Jan Michael Vincent – I remember him in Airwolf. I loved it when that helicopter appeared. What a sad turn of events for him.
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Catie Rhodes said:
It is interesting. The remake is a little more fast paced. You know as well as I do that older movies have slower pacing. If you love cinema but haven’t watched Charles Bronson much, this is a good movie to watch him in.
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borntolie said:
Didn’t know the recent release was a remake, though I’m not that surprised. I’ll have to check out both now they’ve been reccomended. Your description of it brings to mind the Professional. Has a lot of the same elements, though changes here and there. It’s newer than the original Mechanic but quite a bit older than the new one. If I remember right it has Natilie Portman, though she’s very very young in it.
Have to say I like violent movies, but I’m not big on outright action movies. More Silence of the Lambs, Way of the Gun, Gangs of New York…and less Fast and the Furious, Transporter, Kill Bill.
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Catie Rhodes said:
If you haven’t seen the original, you really should. Even if it’s just to compare the pacing and character development. How those fiction elements are conveyed to the end user has really, really changed.
I remember The Professional! We loved that. I think we must have watched it when it was fairly new on video because we rented it on VHS before Disc became popular.
I loved the first Fast and Furious. After that, not so much. There is another movie with the actor Paul Walker that I really enjoyed. I think the name is Joyride. I really got interested in the idea behind that.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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Tiffany A White said:
Don’t act too surprised, but I haven’t seen this. I did record it though… but when you said you’d cover the original, I erased it. I will have to watch this. Even though I LOVE Jason Statham, I’d like to see this one too–I love action. It’s been on cable a few times lately, so hopefully I can catch it again. To be honest, I didn’t even know Jason Statham’s version was a remake until you added it to our original versus remake list. How sad is that? Sometimes I think I live in a bubble…
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Catie Rhodes said:
We only have about 5 years difference in age, so I can’t say it’s because I’m old. Because I’m not. I’ve always enjoyed old movies, old music, and vintage furniture (and even clothes). I think it’s just a preference thing. You strike me as very contemporary and hip. I think it’s me who lives in a bubble.
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alandhopewell said:
I haven’t seen the remake, although the original is a favorite of mine (BTW, I thought he was a Mob guy, too), and I keep an eye out for DVD copies of it.
Bronson has always been on my list of solid-”blue-collar” actors, never phoned in a role that I can remember.
Here’s one of his stranger films….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lola_(1969_film)
TEN TO MIDNIGHT is definitely one of his better films, although I would recommend all but the last four DEATH WISH movies. I’m a major fan of action-vigilante-type films, and Bronson delivers, with a touch of humanity in the mix.
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Catie Rhodes said:
I’ve never seen Lola. I’ll have to check it out. I love old movies. Sometimes I end up having to rent what I want to see, but it’s worth it.
I need to re-watch the Death Wish films. I haven’t seen them in YEARS.
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donnagalanti said:
Catie, just LOVED this original movie and I was a weird 14 year old as I had a total crush on old Charles Bronson. His movies were all over TV then. He’s tough, cool. Jan MIchael Vincent always made me drool tool. I dont want to see a remake..no no! I cant stand Jason Statham either. Adore Bronson and his wife Jill Ireland in their many movies together, especially fun Love and Bullets. Thanks for the scoop!
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Catie Rhodes said:
I thought the remake had less characterization than the original. Jason Statham is good looking enough. I thought Charles Bronson blew him away in terms of stage presence. As I researched this, I learned a good deal about Jill Ireland. I was very interested to learn about her battle with breast cancer and the role she played in breast cancer awareness. Even though she did eventually die from the disease.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Louise Behiel said:
I loved Charles Bronson, back in his heyday. nobody did silent and sinister like he did.
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Catie Rhodes said:
Nobody did silent, sinister, and TOUGH like Charles Bronson. They don’t make ‘em like him anymore.
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beverlydiehl said:
Something to be said for the older, rugged-face actors that all the pretty-boy faces and eight-pack abs can’t match. I’ve developed a much greater appreciation for Charles Bronson and Tommy Lee Jones in the last few years.