Synopsis
In the depression, Chaney, a strong silent streetfighter, joins with Speed, a promoter of no-holds-barred street boxing bouts. They go to New Orleans where Speed borrows money to set up fights for Chaney, but Speed gambles away any winnings.
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Cast
- Charles BronsonChaney
- James CoburnSpencer "Speed" Weed
- Jill IrelandLucy Simpson
- Strother MartinPoe
- Margaret BlyeGayleen Schoonover
- Michael McGuireGandil
- Felice OrlandiLe Beau
- Edward WalshPettibon
- Bruce GloverDoty
- Robert TessierJim Henry
Recommendations
- 80
The New Yorker
Spacious, leisurely, and with elaborate period re-creations of Louisiana in the 30s, this first feature directed by the young screenwriter Walter Hill is unusually effective pulp, perhaps even great pulp. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
A powerful, brutal film containing a definitive Charles Bronson performance. - 75
Slant Magazine
Hard Times feels most like a brilliant prerequisite to the cinema of Michael Mann, a focused neo-western where the last man standing is the one truest to himself. - 70
Time Out
Strong supporting performances, good locations, and well-staged fights contribute to what is an impressive example of how to assemble this kind of material. - 60
CineVue
Hard Times may not have grown in stature to the extent where it will be mentioned by fans in the same breath as the director’s more revered titles, but it’s certainly worth a punt and is an absolute must for Hill completists. - 60
TV Guide Magazine
Unfortunately, the script leaves something to be desired--namely, dramatic impetus. Yet Hard Times is still an enjoyable film, and the depression-era settings are painstakingly captured. - 50
Variety
The production has a very handsome mid-1930s New Orleans period flavour but the cast can’t lick the script.
