10 to Midnight [Blu-ray]

Director: J. Lee Thompson, Paul Greengrass J. Lee Thompson

Overview

Charles Bronson at 63 or so, continues his vigilante persona in this crime drama about a Richard Speck-style killer who knifes young nurses to death. There is no doubt that the film exploits both the heinous 1966 Speck murder of eight nurses in Chicago and an audience's willingness to go along with the Bronson character, Leo Kessler, when he uses illegal means to entrap criminals. The captured killer, Warren Stacey (Gene Davis) manages to go free because of red tape and the need to wait for the outcome of his insanity plea. When he returns to his murderous predilection, Kessler takes action to permanently stop him.

Product Details

Release Date:	01/22/2019
UPC:	0826663192940
Original Release:	1983
Source:	Shout Factory
Language:	English
Sales rank:	17,379

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Charles Bronson	Leo Kessler
Lisa Eilbacher	Laurie Kessler
Andrew Stevens	Paul McAnn
Gene Davis	Warren Stacey
Geoffrey Lewis	Dave Dante
Wilford Brimley	Capt. Malone
Robert F. Lyons	Nathan Zager
Bert Williams	Mr. Johnson
Iva Lane	Bunny
Ola Ray	Ola
Kelly Palzis	Doreen
Cosie Costa	Dudley
Paul McCallum	Lab Technician
Jeana Tomasina	Karen
June Gilbert	Betty
Arthur Hansel	Judge
Sam Chew	Minister
Katrina Parish	Tina
Shawn Schepps	Peg
Sydna Scott	Mrs. Johnson
Barbara Pilavin	Mrs. Byrd
Beau Billingslea	Desk Sergeant
James Keane	Jerry
Jerome Thor	Medical Examiner
Breck Costin	Tim Bailey
Carmen Filpi	Hotel Clerk
Deran Sarafian	Dale Anders
Jeane Manson	Margo
Lynette Harrison	Ticket Girl
Neal Fleming	Young Man
John Garwood	Millikan
Shay Duffin	Nestor
Daniel Ades	Ben Linker
Cynthia Reams	Hooker
Kyle Edward Cranston	Party Intern
Patti Tippo	Party Girl
Beth Reinglass	Office Girl
Monica Ekblad	Office Girl
Tim Pigott-Smith	Actor
Gerard Crossan	Actor
James Nesbitt	Actor
Kelly Preston	Doreen
Barbara Gelber	Mrs. Byrd
Robert Ragland	Composer

Technical Credits

William Roberts

J. Lee Thompson	Director
Yoram Globus	Executive Producer,Producer
Menahem Golan	Executive Producer,Producer
Lance Hool	Producer
Pancho Kohner	Producer
Paul Greengrass	Director
William Roberts	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

This sleazy yet surprisingly compelling combination of cop thriller and slasher movie is one of the better Charles Bronson vehicles from the early 1980's. William Roberts' script both caters to and exploits the conservative 'law and order' mood of the Reagan era, filling the story with plenty of knee-jerk reactionary messages about the failings of the American justice system while also indulging in high levels of sex and violence to pruriently illustrate these messages. Despite its obvious nature, the story does benefit from taut plotting and devotes much more time to character development than any of the Death Wish clones that Bronson churned out around this time. 10 To Midnight further benefits from inspired direction and performances. J. Lee Thompson's slick direction mixes glossy photography and fast-paced editing to create a tense game of cat-and-mouse between Bronson and his deviously clever foe. The film is lent added dramatic weight by solid work from an excellent supporting cast: Lisa Eilbacher is both fiery and likable as Bronson's free-thinking daughter, Andrew Stevens' inexperienced but intelligent tyro detective makes a witty, worthwhile foil to Bronson's veteran cop and Geoffrey Lewis contributes some amusing moments as a sleazy defense attorney who encourages the villain to go for an insanity plea if all else fails. However, 10 To Midnight is anchored by the battle of wills between its two leads: Bronson hits the right combination of self-righteousness and grizzled dark humor as the world-weary but determined cop hero and Gene Davis is downright blood-chilling as a psycho that is as narcissistic as he is perverse. When they face off during the film's climax, it's the stuff of b-movie legends. All in all, 10 To Midnight is probably a little too exploitative and grim for sensitive viewers but Bronson buffs and thriller addicts will enjoy its skillfully-crafted cheap thrills.

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