Few actors have been typecast to the extent Charles Bronson has. He was moviedom's knight in shining (but dented) armor; a pseudo-chivalric gunslinger who killed for sport, and was the personification of noble cause corruption, all under the guise of protecting womanhood. From Paul Kersey (the Death Wish films) and Charlie Congers (Love and Bullets) to Jack Murphy (Murphy's Law), Bronson's squinty-eyed machismo was second only to that of Clint Eastwood.In 10 to Midnight Bronson plays the same ol' vigilante (Leo Kessler), who this time must protect his daughter and her college coed friends from a serial killer. This film, however, does not feature an avalanche of killing and is deeper on plot than any of his later Death Wish films.At best, 10 to Midnight is a guilty pleasure. At worst, it is a cinematic cliché that men never grow tired of.

Tough and cynical L.A. detective Leo Kessler (the almighty Charles Bronson in peak hard-nosed form) decides to bend the rules in order to apprehend the unhinged Warren Stacy (a creepy and convincing performance by the handsome and muscular Gene Davis), a cunning depraved misogynistic psychopath who enjoys killing lovely young women while stark naked. Director J. Lee Thompson, working from a scuzzy script by William Roberts, relates the engrossingly sordid story at a steady pace, maintains an unflinchingly dark and seamy tone throughout, generates a good deal of tension, and delivers oodles of grisly violence and tasty gratuitous female nudity (ladies will be happy to know that Davis shows off a lot of his buff body, too). This film further benefits from sound acting by a fine cast: Andrew Stevens as Kessler's studious by-the-book partner Paul McCann, Lisa Eilbacher as Kessler's spunky estranged daughter Laurie, Geoffrey Lewis as slimy lawyer Dave Dante, Wilford Brimley as the crusty Captain Malone, and Robert F. Lyons as shrewd district attorney Nathan Zager. "Playboy" Playmates Ola Ray and Jeana Tomasina both appear as two of Stacy's victims while Kelly Preston has a small role as a nurse. Moreover, this picture not only boasts a few nifty deviant touches (Kessler finds a masturbatory device in Stacy's apartment that looks downright painful), but also addresses a few interesting moral issues concerning the law and people's rights. Stacy sizes up as a memorably reprehensible combination of hateful real-life sickos Richard Speck and Ted Bundy. The ending is a doozy. Adam Greenberg's glossy cinematography gives the movie an impressive slick look. Robert O. Ragland's pulsating score does the rousing trick. A prime slice of vintage 80's trash.

In Los Angeles, the rookie Detective Paul McAnn (Andrew Stevens) teams up with the veteran Detective Leo Kessler (Charles Bronson) to investigate the murder of Betty Johnson (June Gilbert) and her boyfriend that were stabbed by a naked serial-killer in a park. Detective Kessler recognizes the victim, who lived in the same neighborhood many years ago and childhood friend of his daughter Laurie Kessler (Lisa Eilbacher). The killer Warren Stacy (Gene Davis) goes to the funeral and overhears Betty's father telling Detective Kessler that his daughter had a diary. Warren breaks in Betty's apartment and stabs and kills her roommate Karen Smalley (Jeana Tomasina) trying to find the diary. But Karen had already delivered the journal to Detective Kessler. Leo Kessler is sure that Warren is the serial-killer and her plants a false evidence in his apartment. However, Warren's defense lawyer presses Detective McAnn accusing him of perjury and Warren is released. Now the Warren is stalking Laurie to revenge against her father. "10 to Midnight" is a classic thriller from the 80's and among the best movies of Charles Bronson. I saw this film two or three times in the past and I have just seen it again. The unexpected reaction of Detetctive Leo Kessler is the climax of this great film and gives an unforgettable conclusion to the story. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): "Dez Minutos para Morrer" ("Ten Minutes to Die")

The first hint that this is going to be a bloody actioner with occasional exposed skin is the fact that it was produced by Golan and Globus. The second hint is that is stars Charles Bronson. If you are into 80s action flicks, this will be one you'll want to see.Casting Gene Davis as the serial killer was genius. He is perfect. I did also enjoy that June Gilbert gave us the full show in her short movie career. Cynthia Reams also gave us a full show in her only movie.Lisa Eilbacher (Beverly Hills Cop, An Officer and a Gentleman) plays Bronson's daughter. I've enjoyed her in every movie I've seen her in, and this was no exception.With Wilford Brimley and Geoffrey Lewis, this was classic Bronson. An enjoyable flick.