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Though proudly billed as Terence Young's COLD SWEAT, this turned out to be a below-average international concoction: the plot is formulaic – albeit adapted from a novel by Richard Matheson – one that Bronson often returned to, of a man whose past catches up with him (in fact, I recently watched Sergio Sollima's similar but superior VIOLENT CITY [1970]).

The film is doubly disappointing, however, for wasting the talents of actors of the caliber of James Mason and Liv Ullmann – the latter clearly wishes she was elsewhere, while the former often resorts to hamminess (with a ridiculous American accent to match). As expected, the narrative flanks Bronson with real-life spouse Jill Ireland – here in perhaps her most embarrassing performance as a spoiled hippie brat; needless to say, the star more often than not lets his physique do the acting for him – but his is an undeniable screen presence and, as I've written elsewhere, he just happened to fit the bill for what was required of an action star in the late 60s/70s.

The supporting cast also includes Michel Constantin (who was also in VIOLENT CITY), "Euro-Cult" regular Luigi Pistilli, and Jean Topart – all of them appearing as members of Mason's gang, with the latter being the most villainous of the lot and who gets his just desserts in memorable fashion. The best thing the violent film has going for it are the plentiful and exciting action sequences, particularly a lengthy – if somewhat irrelevant – car chase towards the end (once again, the work of Remy Julienne). Though the budget DVD at least presented it in the correct aspect ratio, the print for COLD SWEAT (which, along with a few other Bronson titles, has fallen into the public domain) was still too soft and murky to do justice to its variety of European locations.

'Cold Sweat' is a 70's actioner I was actually quite pleasantly surprised by. Charles Bronson plays a guy whose cronies have caught up with him after spending many years in jail for a crime that he fled from. He's in sanctuary in France with his wife (played, rather slummingly wouldn't you say? By Liv Ullmann), and what do you know, his evil friends from the past catch up with him and takes his whole family hostage so that they can complete the One More Job together. Bronson accepts, but since this is a Bronson film, He's Got Other Tricks Up His Sleeve. So begins a fun little cat and mouse game, mainly dealing with the daughter or other of the bad guys (played hilariously by James Mason) and the trade-offs Manson and Mason are fun to watch. There's lots of chases too! Wee! Finally, I just want to comment on the print of the film I saw on DVD. It looked somewhat banged up, but I thought it just added to the viewing aesthetic of the movie! I just felt I was in a New York grindhouse movie theater, with this double featured with say, Dolomite or something.

Charles Bronson is an expatriate American boat owner in the south of France, living with his wife, Liv Ullmann and his stepdaughter. He seems a lighthearted guy, until James Mason shows up. Mason was his captain in the army, and the leader of a smuggling ring, which included Bronson. Bronson turned witness, and Mason went to prison. Now Mason has kidnapped Ullmann and daughter to force Bronson to take part in his latest scheme. But despite some good planning, matters soon become complicated.

It's seems like an odd trio, but despite Bronson clearly being the star, Ullmann and Mason get some fine, extended sequences. There's also some fine location camerawork around Nice and Beaulieu-sur-Mer, an exciting high-speed driving sequence, and Jill Ireland as a ditz.

Cold Sweet (1970)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Charles Bronsplay plays Joe Martin, a man living a happy life with his wife (Liv Ullmann) and her daughter. All of that is thrown out the window when his past comes back to haunt him. Captain Ross (James Mason) demands that Joe use his boat for a drug trade and this leads to a cat and mouse game.

Terrence Young directs this entertaining if rather light weight action picture that fans of the action legend will enjoy while others will probably not be overly entertained by the thin plot. There's no question that the plot really isn't all that original and that a re-write certainly wouldn't have hurt. Even by 1970 we had seen countless movies dealing with the family man and his past catching up with him.

What keeps COLD SWEET moving and entertaining is the fact that you've got a wonderful group of actors. Bronson was just a natural at playing this soft-talking tough guys and he turns in a good performance. Both Ullmann and Mason certainly have much more important roles in their careers but it's still fun seeing them in a film like this. Jill Ireland plays a hippie chick and it's Luigi Pistilli who steals the picture as a cold-hearted bad guy.

COLD SWEET features some very good action scenes including the finale with an excellent sequence of a car going down the side of a cliff that is highly entertaining. Again, this is a fun action film but one wishes that there was a bit more to the story.

I watch movies for specific reasons. I don't always look for such things as a plot. What did I get out of "Cold Sweat"?

First, a reminder to mix business AND pleasure. The gentlemen who produced this could have filmed in New Jersey. Rather, they chose the south of France. Good choice! Beaulieau-sur-Mer in the south of France, as well as the lovely French countryside way down south.

Charles Bronson pumped up, as usual. It appears that he does a set of push-ups before every scene. He's cut, in a black T-Shirt for the whole film. And he's not in his famous revenge mode. Here, he calculates. And expresses himself, emotionally. See the quote section...

Terrance Young's direction. Yes, the early Bond-film director is at his bond-vivant! best, with rich panoramas and an eye for pretty things. I'll have another, garson.

Nice Airport and a really cool 1970 hair salon. Think Korova milk bar ala Clockwork Orange.

Old French cars from the late 60's. Those Citroens are cool. And that off-roading experience in that red sedan was hilarious. Also, the close-up of the bias-ply tire folding over...priceless.

Finally, attractive leading ladies.

If you can find this movie, watch it! I found my DVD at Fleet Farm coupled with another Bronson movie, "Chino" for the reasonable charge of $4.99.