1 / 8
RUNTIME
Did you know
90 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
MoodPlayr · trivia#01
The Evil That Men Do
"Most criminals answer to the law. The world's most savage executioner must answer to Bronson."
1984 1h 30m EN
😐
5.8
MID
🥫
40%
ROTTEN
😬
32
METACRITIC
⭐
5.9
IMDB
★5.8TMDB · 122🥫40%Rotten Tomatoes●32Metacritic★5.9IMDB · 5,153
ActionAdventureCrimeThriller
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
A former assassin (Charles Bronson) comes out of retirement to avenge the brutal murder of his friend at the hands of a sadistic torturer (Joseph Maher) employed by an oppressive foreign dictatorship.
“Most criminals answer to the law. The world's most savage executioner must answer to Bronson.”
Cast
Charles Bronson
Holland
José Ferrer
Dr. Hector Lomelin
Theresa Saldana
Rhiana Hidalgo / Nancy
Joseph Maher
Dr. Clement Molloch
René Enríquez
Max Ortiz, Holland's contact in Nicaragua
John Glover
Paul Briggs, U.S. Embassy
Raymond St. Jacques
Randolph, Molloch's Bodyguard
Antoinette Bower
Claire, Molloch's Sister
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- J. Lee Thompson
- Writers
- John Crowther, R. Lance Hill
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Countries
- Mexico, United Kingdom, United States of America
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts 🍿
2 / 8
MONEY
Did you know
Shot for just $4.6M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.
MoodPlayr · trivia#02
3 / 8
ERA
Did you know
42 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
MoodPlayr · trivia#03
4 / 8
WORLD
Did you know
Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.
MoodPlayr · trivia#04
5 / 8
WORLD
Did you know
International production across 3 countries: Mexico, United Kingdom, United States of America.
MoodPlayr · trivia#05
6 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Directed by J. Lee Thompson, shot by Xavier Cruz. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr · trivia#06
7 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Original score by Ken Thorne. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
MoodPlayr · trivia#07
8 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor Peter Lee-Thompson shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr · trivia#08
Cinephile deep dive
The take
J. Lee Thompson directs. Xavier Cruz behind the camera. Ken Thorne scores. Peter Lee-Thompson cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Profitable at the box office. Produced in Mexico, United Kingdom, United States of America. Dialogue in English, Spanish.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 190 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
- 2Shot for just $4.6M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.
- 342 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
- 4Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.
- 5International production across 3 countries: Mexico, United Kingdom, United States of America.
- 6Directed by J. Lee Thompson, shot by Xavier Cruz. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 7Original score by Ken Thorne. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
- 8Editor Peter Lee-Thompson shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 9Charles Bronson and José Ferrer and Theresa Saldana carry the top of the cast.
- 10Marketing tagline: "Most criminals answer to the law. The world's most savage executioner must answer to Bronson.".
- 11IMDB entry: tt0087222 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
- 12Classified under 17 themes, including "martial arts", "bounty hunter", "based on novel or book", "chase".
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Xavier Cruz
- Original score
- Ken Thorne
- Editing
- Peter Lee-Thompson
- Costume design
- Poppy Cannon-Reese
- Makeup / hair
- Esperanza Gómez
- Sound
- Michael Minkler
- Stunt coordinator
- Ernie F. Orsatti
- Runtime
- 90 min · 1h 30m
- Aspect ratio (typical)
- 1.37:1 (Academy)
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $4,600,000
- Box office
- $13,102,025
- Return
- 285% of budget
- Original language
- EN
- Certification (US)
- R
- Rotten Tomatoes
- 40% 🥫 Rotten
- Metacritic
- 32/100
- IMDB rating
- 5.9/10 · 5,153 votes
- MPAA
- R
Also by
J. Lee Thompson
Stills · wallpapers
Selected frames
Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.
Production companies
Who made it
- ZU
Zuleika Farms
- CA
Capricorn
- PR
Producciones Cabo S.A.
ITC Entertainment
GB
Key crew
- ProducerPancho Kohner
- EditorPeter Lee-Thompson
- HairstylistEsperanza Gómez
- Sound EditorJohn Post
- Sound EditorRichard Shorr
- Special EffectsLaurencio Cordero
- Wardrobe DesignerEnedina Bernal
- Makeup ArtistAlan Marshall
- Sound MixerRoberto Camacho
- Sound Re-Recording MixerMichael Minkler
- Sound EditorMartha Burns Holsen
- Music EditorStephen A. Hope
- Sound EditorMichael P. Redbourn
- Assistant Makeup ArtistEster Oropeza
- ConductorKen Thorne
- Property MasterAntonio Mata
- Sound EditorJoseph Holsen
- Associate ProducerDavid Pringle
- Executive ProducerLance Hool
- Associate ProducerJill Ireland
- NovelR. Lance Hill
- StuntsKen Fritz
- Art DirectionEnrique Estévez
- Costume DesignPoppy Cannon-Reese
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- martial arts
- bounty hunter
- based on novel or book
- chase
- gangster
- nicaragua
- cayman islands
- murder
- vigilante
- torture
- sadist
- car explosion
- hired killer
- bar fight
- revolver
- blood
- lesbianism
Release history · US
When it landed
- Theatrical1984-09-14R
Also known as
International titles
- Justicia salvajeES
- L'enfer de la violenceFR
- Professione giustiziereIT
- Den djävulska hämndenSE
- Confronto MortalBR
- LiquidatorDE
- Justicia SalvajeMX
