Monsieur Majestyk

Mr. Majestyk is one of my favorite Charles Bronson action films. The plot which is a bit complex for an action film does not get in the way of any of the action. By the way Bronson whose real name was Buckinski must have been happy to play a person of Polish ancestry in this one, I believe it is one of the few times he did.

Bronson is Vincent Majestyk former army ranger who is now running a watermelon ranch. He's being squeezed by time because he needs to get his melons picked and to market in a matter of days and a local strong arm guy played by Paul Koslo tries to muscle him into hiring his crew.

Big mistake for Koslo, but not right then because he has sheriff Frank Maxwell arrest Bronson. While in jail Bronson also runs afoul of big time hit man Al Lettieri and when Lettieri finally escapes he's out to get him.

Bronson's willing to live and let live, but Lettieri crowds him and he's not given a choice. So he settles matters in the usual Bronson way.

Lettieri was really coming into his own during the early Seventies with villainous roles in The Godfather, The Getaway, and McQ. A year later the cinema lost him, a real tragedy because he was superb in any part he played.

Two women figure prominently in the proceedings. Linda Cristal who is an organizer for the United Farm Workers who Bronson aids and she in turn becomes pretty valuable to him. The second is Lee Purcell who plays a more modern version of a gangster moll from the Thirties.

Over 30 years since I first saw Mr. Majestyk in the theater and I still love the way Bronson turns from the hunted to the hunter.

This film will probably never be on a list of the greatest films of all time but it is one of my favourites.

The thing which makes the film outstanding is the acting. The selection of Charles Bronson, Al Lettieri, Paul Koslo and Linda Crystal are perfect. Their performances, not out of character, are what you would expect from them. Al Lettieri plays the same part as in "The Godfather" and "The Getaway" - menacing and charismatic. Bronson is at his best in his usual strong silent way and Linda Crystal gives an excellent performance as a mexican woman - a sort of shop steward for some Melon Pickers.

The thing which raises this film above many others in my opinion is the interaction between the characters, in particular Bronson/Lettieri and Lettieri/Koslo.

The film is not too heavy and allows a self deprecating sense of humour to enter the action.

The more you see it the more you respect it as a work of art.

Promising another great action drama!

Richard Fleisher's tight direction, Bronson's sheer force of presence, and above all Elmore Leonard's excellent dialog combine to make this one terrific piece of entertainment – and one of Bronson's best films. Also worthy of note is Al Lettieri as Frank Renda (another excellent performance), a fearsome, explosively violent antagonist who perfectly compliments Bronson's cool-yet-tough demeanor. Bronson plays Vince Majestyk, a watermelon farmer who wants nothing more than to get his harvest in and mind his own business. He is interrupted by the weasel-like Bobby Kopas, who is quickly set straight by Majestyk – but Kopas soon joins forces with the vengeance-seeking Renda, whom Majestyk tried to send back to jail. Renda is just itching to get at Majestyk, and what follows is an action packed battle of wits between two determined foes – with only one left standing at the end…

Mr. Majestyk also manages to combine great action with some especially sharp, funny dialog. For instance, Majestyk overhears a gas station attendant claim the bathrooms are out of service: `Hey, I was the last one to use that men's room - you saying I busted the toilet?' Overall, Mr. Majestyk is highly recommended to fans of the great Charles Bronson, action movies, or just great movies in general.

The picture talks about a Vietnam veteran (Charles Bronson) attempting to begin a new life in honorable issues . He works as an upright watermelon farmer who helps other workers when are really harassed , but a mobster hit-man (Al Lettieri) and a local syndicate villain (Paul Koslo) are menacing his plans and the melons harvest . 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 . Later on , the vendetta of the mob is turned onto Mr. Majestyk himself . The melon farmer only has acquaintance to a beautiful Mexican woman (Linda Crystal) to battle the organized crime .

In the film there is action , exciting car pursuits , shootouts , thrills , suspense and a little bit of violence . From the beginning to finish the noisy action-packed and fast-moving are continued and that's why it results to be entertaining . The great climax of the film is the final confrontation between the starring and the enemies that's stimulating and moving . The story is an adaptation from Elmore Leonard novel who also did the storyline . This is the only filmed adaptation of an Elmore Leonard crime novel that Charles Bronson ever appeared in . This film was premiered in the same year another Charles Bronson picture , the successful Death wish (1974) that created several sequels .

Charles Bronson acting is wooden as being habitual in his roles as a merciless revenger . This picture represents one of a handful of films starring Charles Bronson that deal with Mexico and/or specifically Chicano characters , the pictures resulted to be : Breakout (1975) by Tom Gries , Borderline (1980) by Jerrold Freeman and this one Mr. Majestyk (1974) by Richard Fleischer . Nice support cast , such as : Linda Crystal , Paul Koslo and special mention for Al Lettier , his tremendous interpretation is terrific , as a nasty and nefarious mob killer , though with quite gesticulation , his appearance is the best part of the film . The pic was well directed by Richard Fleischer , it's narrated understanding as well as hardly . The flick will appeal to Charles Bronson fans .

This movie is a Bronson classic in my book. My favorite scene is the pick-up ride when Majestyk and Chavez make their escape from the mob. I liked it the the pick-up made all those long jumps. In most drive scenes the pickup truck would definitely be torn to pieces, but not here. they must have bought a lot of them for the movie. This movie was packed with action, suspense, and also intrigue. This was absolutely one of Charles Bronson's best!