Work Lessons From Death Wish

They Call It Acting

I have met people who knew or encountered Charles Bronson. He played many tough guys and was really nice in life. Death Wish is not a vigilante movie. A man is pushed to the edge and takes action.

Crime Was Worse in the Seventies

After years of decline there is a bit more crime in the pandemic era. Certain news organizations imply anarchy. New York was a scary place. When Paul Kersey's wife is murdered and his daughter is sexually assaulted- the police don't do much.

Movies Are of Their Time

No movie released after Bonnie and Clyde is "Old". By 1967 the studio system was dissolving, movies were only released in black and white for artistic reasons and there was a lot more shot on location.

Not only am I fascinated by the Tucson of the seventies, Paul Kersey returns to New York in the TWA Terminal. That has reopened as a hotel. The architecture was too interesting to let it sit.

Some Are Conscientious Objectors For a Reason

He saw what guns could do before he was drafted in the Korean War so he did not want to shoot anyone. He knew how to shoot a gun when he had to and in the second half of the film, he did.

Anyone Could Have Done This

Someone affected by crime would have more urgency in preventing future crimes. The fact Paul Kersey had a skill and maintained his white collar job- in many cases he was merely walking home by himself.

Fight the Syndicate

Criminals and prostitutes worked together to find victims. As we learned a few years later in The Warriors there are a lot more criminals than police. Not the kind of teamwork you want to see.

The New York Subway System can be scary. There are many areas with no one around. There were no Closed Circuit cameras in 1974. At the end of my grandfather's life he stopped visiting New York City from New Jersey. It was a good place to take my grandmother.

Until it wasn't. My introduction to New York City came a few years later through the Port Authority. Take the train. Penn Station has gone through a billion dollar renovation and it is very nice.

The Police Were Confused

Should they take the vigilante off the street? Crime fell when the criminals did not feel safe. They should not feel emboldened. I am glad this movie was made when people read newspapers. There were headlines that moved the story along.

It was not garden variety product placement. I never mind product placement if you would see those ads in life. Times Square is filled with advertisements.

It is Best To Start Over

It would have been understandable if Paul Kersey moved after the crime was committed. He had the house repainted after graffiti was on the walls. Eventually he would leave town and as soon as he arrives in a new city there is crime and harassment there as well.

They Don't Care About You

Criminals want to take whatever they want. They will go after as many citizens as possible. If someone fights back, others might think twice about taking what is not theirs. Crime doesn't pay.