Le flingueur

Effective thriller stars Bronson as Arthur Bishop who teaches a younger assassin named Steve McKenna (Jan-Michael Vincent) the tricks of the trade. The Mechanic emerges at break-neck pace but once it gets started it becomes an engrossingly savage thriller. Also watch for the twist ending.

The forty-two year old hit-man Arthur Bishop (Charles Bronson) is frequently hired to kill without a trace and he carefully studies the profiles of his victims to find the perfect and clean way to execute them.

When he is hired to kill "Big" Harry McKenna (Keenan Wynn), who was a former friend of his father, Arthur meets his son Steve McKenna (Jan- Michael Vincent) asking money to Harry at home. Later in Harry's funeral, Steve asks for a ride to Arthur and they become very close. Arthur finds potential in the twenty-four year old Steve to become a professional killer and he invites the youngster to form a partnership with him. However his attitude displeases the Powers that Be and Arthur is sent to Naples to kill a mobster. Arthur finds a file about him in a drawer at Steve's house but he invites Steve to travel with him to Italy. Sooner they learn that someone wants them to see Naples and die.

"The Mechanic" is an engaging film by Michael Winner with another great performance of Charles Bronson in the role of a "mechanic", meaning a hired hit-man that kills his victims without leaving a trace. One of the best lines in this film is when he tells to Steve that murder is only killing without a license. Jan-Michael Vincent has one of his best performances in the role of a youngster that believe that he has learned how to lure an experienced man. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Assassino a Preço Fixo" ("Killer at a Fixed Price")

They sure don't make them like this anymore: smart, realistic, tough and fascinating. Charles Bronson is in top form here, he plays a hit man with creative and untraceable way methods of killing, he is like a "death doctor" and when he "fix something, it never works again". But things aren't so good for him lately, he suffers from anxiety and collapses in one memorable scene. He then decides to take under his wing the young Steve Mackenna (Jan Michael Vincent in one of his better roles) and teach his the skills of the trade. Director Michael Winner put together a piece of classic cinema with everything seems to work perfectly. The cinematography is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen, especially the final scenes located in Italy. It's a shame that this film is almost unknown to the young generation and is way underrated here. The twisted ending certainly lifts up the already high level of the film. Highly recommended 10/10.

Classic Charles Bronson. I've only recently really started getting more into his older films; I'm fluent with the Death Wish series. The Mechanic is one of his best, if not one of THE best action/thriller films I've seen. Very cleverly done, particularly his methods of killing. I also like the term used to describe assassins; that's new to me. The movie had me intrigued throughout, with Bronson playing the part very well; very few people could look as wrong as Bronson. But it's the ending that makes the movie that much better, because it's totally unexpected. I want to 'spoil' it so bad but I won't....although other user reviews here may have already. I'll just say that you'll be completely amped afterwards, your jaw will drop to the floor at how cool and unexpected it is. One of the true classic action films; the rating on here should be higher.

***1/2 out of **** stars.

Another classic Bronson movie and not to be missed. This time Charles is Arthur Bishop, a merciless, unfeeling, uncaring and strictly by the book assassin who is the standard by which all other professional killers are measured. Meticulous to a fault and as calculatingly efficient as can be, Bishop systematically completes his missions and returns to his mansion each night. Soon after eliminating one of his old friends, he becomes attached to the dead man's young and impertinent son Steve (John Michael Vincent), which quickly progresses from friendship to business relationship. Bishop agrees to mentor Steve in the tricks of the trade as an "associate" and after working with him he is free to do as he pleases. However, Bishop quickly discovers that is apt pupil is more nefarious than he appears as Steve has already accepted a contract on Bishop's life. But what Arthur doesn't realize yet is "the organization" to which Bishop belongs now wants him eliminated and will stop at nothing to achieve this goal. Bishop has broken a rule in taking Steve under his wing without first getting approval of "The Man" and is therefore marked for death. This film is filled with action, intrigue, and of course suspense as you continue to wonder the whole time which "mechanic" is gonna get his car fixed first. The ending is quite unpredictable for a 70's Bronson movie but enjoyable to the last second. Also features a cameo by Bronson's late wife Jill Ireland. One of Charles Bronson's better accomplishments on the silver screen I sure was impressed.