Charles Bronson embodies the strong authority and deadly capability of the title character in director Richard Fleischer and writer Elmore Leonard's 1974 thriller Mr. Majestyk, released by Kino Lorber on Blu-ray this December from a new 2K master. Filming Dates. At the age of 52, and 23 years into his film career, Charles Bronson was suddenly propelled into the rarefied ranks of Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood, and Paul Newman as a screen presence who could sell a movie on the strength of his name alone, but who as yet would receive scant recognition from the critics for the artistry of that presence. A devotee of literature and cinema, he's here to share what he's picked up along his lonely cinematic path of the omniviewer. Mr. Majestyk is shown as playing in the theater at the very end of Taxi Driver as the credits are rolling. Charles Bronson stars as the title character, a melon farmer and Vietnam War veteran who comes into conflict with gangsters. For sheer visual delight, the one scene from this picture that everyone remembers is the great watermelon shoot-out, one of the more colorful gunfight scenes you're likely to witness that doesn't involve blood for all of it's red. Between this, The White Buffalo, Death Hunt and so many others, the secret might be that his films are fun rides without being bogged down by plotting. A Fantastic effort from director Richard Fleischer, Bronson stars (in a great performance) as Vincent Majestyk, owner of a rich stretch of property that he uses to grow melons. . | 3.5 Stars out of 5. Cinemark Release Date: July 17, 1974. 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. Its Fall, the ripe crop is ready to be picked, and Majestyk is recruiting a crew of migrant workers at a gas station to help get those melons in. Crazy Credits Renda learns the charges for which he had been imprisoned have been dropped. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. 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. Mr. Majestyk is a 1974 American action film directed by Richard Fleischer and written by Elmore Leonard. One film that we think perfectly casts a tough Ford F-100 in the lead role is 1974s Mr. Majestyk. violence, action, guns, cops or killing prison, jail, criminal, convicts or violence western, outlaw, cowboy, shootout or gunfight action, explosives, exciting, action-packed or villain robbery, criminal, crime, heist or cops Coming Soon. Majestyk and Nancy drive their pickup truck many miles at high speeds through dusty roads, pot-holes, heavy brush, and several streams. After removing the keys from their vehicle, Majestyk then assaults the cabin, killing Lundy after Renda sacrifices him to save himself. The iconic tough guy actor plays the title role, who merely wants to go about his business in peace. RT @Hoosiers1986: 378. The whole movie was filmed entirely in the American state of Colorado. When Majestyk crashes through the back windshield of the Mustang to escape, the stuntman is clearly visible. On the back cover there is a picture of Bronson holding a shotgun with a cigarette in his mouth. DV noted that Leonard was slated to write the script and United Artists had already agreed to distribute the film. He meets up with his right-hand man, Lundy (Taylor Lacher), who advises him to fly to Mexico and enjoy himself; Renda will have none of it as he wants revenge on Majestyk. My appreciation for melons has changed drastically and Ill never look at them the same way again. ZekeFilm is a non-profit organization devoted to cultivating community through cinema through critical discussion, educational activities, and by encouraging mindful viewing, ongoing curiosity of the cinematic form, dialogue, and entertainment. Mr. Majestyk is definitely a strong contender, a character-driven action film helmed by veteran director Richard Fleischer (Soylent Green) and penned by crime-fiction legend Elmore Leonard. By his side is his trusty steed: A 1968 Ford F-100 truck. Majestyk hopes to trade Renda to the police in return for being released to finish harvesting his melons. Between this and Hard Times, it's a tough decision. Yet after all this, the pickup is spotless and has absolutely no scratches, dents, or other damage. "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. The many off-road car chases and stand-off shoot-outs through mountain passes and over rocky terrain that follow further demonstrate in exponentially increasing terms the tragic folly of ever getting between Majestyk and his melons. BLU-RAY STREET DATE: December 7th, 2021/KINO LORBER STUDIO CLASSICS. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. A short description of this movie is coming soon. The video for 'Mr. Majestyk' has been given a 1080p/MPEG-4 AVC that is displayed at an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. However Frank escapes, and vows revenge on Majestyk. It is one of the coolest truck chase scenes ever. In addition, the two Bronson films released in the summer of 1974, Mr. Majestyk and Death Wish, were individually taken to task for their violent story-lines and revenge-driven themes. How could it not be with a script by the dean of crime novelists Elmore Leonard, and direction by an old pro like Richard Fliescher? Majestyk pushes him out and escapes through the broken rear window. Print Details. The Ford truck was not modified to do the stunts, it was pretty much box stock. RT @Hoosiers1986: 378. | Full page view. "Mr. Majestyk" (1974) is a fun film with a colorful cast of characters, and it gets better every time. Mr. Majestyk is a 1974 American action film directed by Richard Fleischer and written by Elmore Leonard. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. Immediately afterward when Majestyk jumps back down, his feet can be seen starting from the same position, less then two logs up, as he jumps back down. Anyone has a Job2 KR, Platinum or Limited scheduled yet? | Here he plays a hit man who is obsessed with killing watermelon grower Vince Majestyk ( Bronson), because he made a fool out of him ( and more then once). Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations. Love this movie & loved visiting its filming locations last summer! During the chase in the canyon, the left headlight is alternately there or missing. One thing leads to another, the criminals come to get him, and you can fill in the blanks from there. Linda Cristal is quite good as Charlie's love interest. They really shouldve just let the man pick his melons! Most of Majestyks watermelon crop is destroyed, When Majestyk sees the damage Renda has done to his watermelons, he never yells or screams but instead intensely clenches his fist into a tight ball, uses his truck to ram a carload of thugs off the mountain road, UsefulNotes/Parental Guidance Suggested Rating. 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. Review: Mr. Majestyk (1974) Mr. Majestyk is my kind of movie. Although Bronson smoked in real life, his character in the movie did not, indicating that this may be an outtake or publicity still. There are no featured reviews for Mr. Majestyk because the movie has not released yet (). 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 . . charles bronson plays melon farmer vince majestyk (what) & the whole plot revolves around his incredible drive to harvest a crop of melons. RT25: Celebrating 25 years of Rotten Tomatoes. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Rotten Tomatoes news! I've seen it umpteen times over the years and still enjoy it immensely. Alternate Versions It is definitely the sharp and seasoned writing of Elmore Leonard what brings the film to a higher quality level. In the movie, he is Vince Majestyk, the titular melon farmer (yeah, seriously) who has to take on the mob. The premise is also exciting and downright cool: Bronson as a watermelon farmer who gets screwed by the man for protecting his property and then gets screwed when he attempts to secure his freedom via a poorly conceived plan. 10/10 stars. Great fun. That would have been highly unlikely unless he was a career soldier, which he obviously is not. Bobby even calls Renda on this. We seek to create and foster this type of community directly and through various socially based technologies. They arrive at the farm to kill Majestyk, but not finding him they instead machine-gun the melons and rough up the hired hands, forcing them to depart. By his side is his trusty steed: A 1968 Ford F-100 truck. Copyright Fandango. Video Review. Connections Beautifully photographed, with scene after scene of memorable dialogue Mr. Majestyk delivers. Charles Bronson Al Lettieri Linda Cristal Lee Purcell Paul Koslo Taylor Lacher Frank Maxwell Alejandro Rey Jordan Rhodes Bert Santos Richard Erdman, Dick Warlock Terry Leonard Allen Pinson Craig R. Baxley Paul Baxley, Richard Portman Frank E. Warner Don MacDougall Harold M. Etherington, , Mister Majestyk, MR. MAJESTYK, MR. MAJESTYIC, Mister Majestic, Desafiando o Assassino, Das Gesetz bin ich, Westerns Crime, drugs and gangsters High speed and special ops The $25,000 that Renda offers Majestyk would be roughly $150,000 in 2021 dollars. 'Elmore Leonard Week: Elmore on Clint Eastwood, Bruce Willis, and William Friedkin', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mr._Majestyk&oldid=1147390828, This page was last edited on 30 March 2023, at 17:01. 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. Kino Lorber Studio Classics brings the film to Blu-ray for a second time from a new 2K master, likely from an interpositive. 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. The plot which is a bit complex for an action film does not get in the way of any of the action. 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. The other reason is being a labor organizer, she will make sure that he never has to worry about finding workers to pick watermelons and that they will work hard. 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. The late great Al Lettieri is hilarious as hit-man Frank "The Keeeeeeeys" Renda. Leonard, who wrote the film with an original screenplay, took the name Majestyk from a character in his 1969 crime novel The Big Bounce. Had he and scripter Elmore Leonard played up the suspense more than the usual car chases, crashes etc., the movie might have distinguished itself from other action films of the day. Instead of endless DEATHWISH sequels that numbed the senses, Charlie should have done a sequel to this one. with updates on movies, TV shows, Rotten Tomatoes podcast and more. With Al Lettierri as an organized crime boss who himself the plot drags in to a web of a deadly spider, so it's like who's actually dragged in more, him or Charles Bronson's title role Mr. Majestyk. More at You keep talking and I'm gonna take your head off. Used the latest Establishing Shots to discuss my new fascination with Charles Bronson as an action body: a very strange choice until you begin considering how he uses his personality to be unassuming to make the work of violence all the more surprising. Trivia That adds more enemies to his list, and his watermelon farm becomes the target of attack. Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. This is a writer, director and star all knowing what can be done with the material, and it works for what it's worth. Bronson is cast as a Vietnam veteran, which means he would have been in his 40's or 50's during the war. Bronson's best 70s vehicle? Mr. Majestyk. 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. Renda lures Lundy, his most competent goon into a trap in an attempt to find Majestyk. MR. MAJESTYK - Charles Bronson at his very best! Film data from TMDb. Thirteen movies make my list of all-time favorites, and "Mr. Majestyk" (1974) makes #9. Alternate Versions We wont be able to verify your ticket today, but its great to know for the future. The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. Bobby turns on Renda because even he was bothered by the fact that Renda intentionally lead Lundy into a trap that got him killed. 378. Supremely badass, ultra macho '70s action and fast paced shootouts. Too bad director Fleischer can't resist proving that he too can do cartoonish violence along with the best of them. Al Lettieri worked for director Richard Fleischer the previous year in 'The Don is Dead'. But how he wins and defeats Frank is why you watch the movie. Who would of thought that Charles Bronson would give his best performance as a melon farmer! After a series of incidents, Renda comes to utterly despise Majestyk and want him dead. From his home in Madison, Wisconsin, Justin is well on his way to achieving his childhood goal of seeing every movie ever made. Why? Charles Bronson takes center stage in this tale of vigilante justice and revenge set against the backdrop of the gorgeous Colorado landscape. 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 . Witness the scene in the prison dining hall. And, as it opened 45 years ago today, we thought it was the perfect time to show Bronson kicking ass and taking names in a F-100 that is, well, also kicking ass and taking names. For those unfamiliar with Lettieri think "Sleeping With The Fish." The poor mobsters don't stand a chance.Steve Crook. 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. This is another strong entry from Fleischer. Full Cast . 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. Report this film, wow this movie fucking rules!!!! 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. Many years ago I used to watch every single film Charles Bronson had made,but for some reason this one had slipped my attention.What we've got here is an action packed movie having to do with a bunch of gang members whose leader is a convict,who . Unfazed by Kopas' threats, Majestyk knocks him down and drives him from the premises. During the chase scene with the pickup truck, after Majestyk takes over the driving the steering wheel is black with thin spokes.