Mark Window

6/10 While trying hard to make this just another by-the-numbers psycho-on-the-loose cop thriller, Gene Davis' creepily effective serial killer Warren Stacey raises this above the norm, and despite attempting to reduce him to the standard nutcase, his characterisation adds unexplored substance not normally found in these genre films. Against the grain, he is intelligent and handsome, not the formulaic drooling sideshow, and while committing his murders naked could be construed as gratuitous, it in fact emphasises the sexual nature of his crimes. The mid-section plods when dealing with the standard police procedures but ends well with a nifty cat-and-mouse duel and concluding with a bravura showdown between Charlie Bronson and Davis.

6/10 As an action-thriller this is a competent film with taut direction from Michael Winner and script from Lewis John Carlino. The plot does become somewhat repetitive yet still maintains interest with its detailed approach, elevating straightforward 'hits' to more elaborate set pieces. Also boosted by location work, including a Italian finale. The clever twist ending is a good payoff. What Winner doesn't do is flesh out more of Carlino's script regarding Charles Bronson's character 'Arthur Bishop'. He suffers anxiety & pays a prostitute to act like his girlfriend indicating a more complex character but Winner is only interested in the action.

5/10 A fictionalised account of the Albert Johnson story gets off to a slow start by introducing dull, mainly superfluous characters. Seems to hit its stride at the cabin siege only to settle into a routine pursuit story, occasionally punctuated by violent action, hindered by an overbearing score. While we learn about the pursuers, the most intriguing character, Charles Bronson's 'Johnson, remains a mystery.

7/10 Elmore Leonard's script throws up most interesting elements, mixing a watermelon farmer, union organiser & mob hit man. The script is ambitious, rambling, but constantly moving & heads into unexpected directions. Director Richard Fleischer handles it all with polish and makes even the run-of-the-mill characterisations vivid. Seems to plod at times but Fleischer makes it stride to the finish with an excellent car chase and better than usual finale. A good Charles Bernstein score & sun-drenched Richard H. Kline cinematography.