Magnificent entertainment across the board. Acting, directing, and story all rise to the heights to deliver a quality experience in movie watching. This is a gem and I don't care how many times you see this movie, you will see it again and again guaranteed. Why? It has memorable scenes that are linked by in-between scenes that make you want to view over and over. They are all well done. The depression brought about the title of the movie i.e. "hard times" but then again, there are always people who survive and some do this in the shadows and by preying on others. This be the case here. A street fighter who is just passing through catches an opportunity to make a few bucks as he only has $6.00 left to his name. He has no fear, hesitation or doubt as to what he can do and he just wants to know what the rules are. He then goes from there. It is interesting to point out that this man used to change truck tires for a living before he hit the road. May I point out that that takes enormous, repetitive effort and strength and over time develops your default muscles to a high-honed state of being. This is how Hercules gained his strength too. When he was a boy, his mother required he lift a baby calf over his head ten times before breakfast of which he gladly and easily did. After and over a time, that calf grew into a huge cow but so did Hercules from all that lifting. So it is with this man who packs a power punch and is lean and fast too. What fools his opponents is he is older than they are thus making for high stakes fighting of which we see plenty of. It is also worth mentioning that two other fight scenes were filmed but not included. If they ever find them and then re-release this, they would make millions as this is a beloved classic to all movie lovers. Enjoy Strother Martin, James Coburn, Charles Bronson and quality supporting actors who just make this all make good sense. Great movie to eat a full course meal by and with a tasty drink and snacks to follow for sure. Hard Times is good times guaranteed.

During the Great Depression, the mysterious drifter Chaney (Charles Bronson) befriends the promoter of illegal street fights Speed (James Coburn) and they go to New Orleans to make money fighting on the streets. Speed is welcomed by his mistress Gayleen Schoonover (Maggie Blye) and invites his former partner Poe (Strother Martin) to team-up with them. Meanwhile Chaney has a love affair with the local Lucy Simpson (Jill Ireland). Speed has a huge debt with the dangerous loan shark Doty (Bruce Glover) and borrows money to promote the fight of Chaney and the local champion Jim Henry (Robert Tessier), who is managed by the also promoter (Michael Mcguire). Casey wins the fight, they make a lot of money but Speed is an addicted gambler and loses his share in the dice table. But Doty wants his money back and Speed's only chance is Chaney accepts to bet his own money that he is saving and fight a winner that Gandil brought from Chicago. Will he accept the challenge?"Hard Times" is a good film by Walter Hill with the reconstitution of the period of the Great Depression in New Orleans. Charles Bronson and James Coburn have top-notch performances in the role of a mysterious street fighter and a promoter of illegal fights respectively. The character Chaney is not developed and his origins and plans are not disclosed. Did he learn to fight in the prison? The question is not answered and the viewer only knows that he is an outstanding street fighter and loyal friend. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "Lutador de Rua" ("Street Fighter")

I recently saw this movie on Turner Classic Movies in the same unedited form first seen by me 38 years ago when it was in the theaters. The film is set in the Depression but you would never be able to tell it by looking at the film's first two minutes. The locomotive seen in the opening scene did not exist in the 30s, neither did the style of boxcar Bronson is seen riding in. Also, in the surrounding building there are window air-conditioners visible. So there are a few technical gaffs, but I liked the movie. As I said in this review's title; it is a personal favorite.Bronson is in his mid 50s when he made the movie, but he is lean and looks in great physical condition. He is perfect for the role as an aged bare-knuckle fighter adrift during the Depression. There are a couple of scenes where it is suggested by opponents that he is too old for the game. He of course proves them wrong.James Coburn plays his part well as a conniver with a gambling problem. Strother Martin adds a kind of amusing spice to the proceedings. Even Jill Ireland does a good job as a down-and-out woman just trying to survive. Bronson made a number of cheap-looking action flicks during the 70s, films that are not now, and never were consider to be really very good. Hard Times should not be considered one of them.

Footloose Bronson hooks up with gambler Coburn in a series of no-holds-barred slug fests in 1933 New Orleans.Richly colorful movie showing seamiest side of the seamy Depression. Street fighter Chaney (Bronson) speaks with fists instead of his tongue (hope they weren't paying him by the word). My gosh, Bronson's 50-something, but's got the torso of a 20-year old. He's convincing as heck as a slugger with a pile-driver punch. Meanwhile, Coburn plays his fast-talking promoter Speed, and he better be speedy to stay one step of the guys he owes money to. I love the staging in this film. Talk about junkyard dogs, that's where the fights appear staged, in one junkyard after another. It's also a blood lust fight crowd at its noisiest. Throughout, Chaney remains as enigmatic as a Chinese box puzzle. He comes from nowhere and seems to care less where he's going. You never know what he's thinking, what with that deadpan expression and wordless mouth. He's his own man to say the least-- a free spirit, as Lucy (Ireland) ruefully finds out. At least we know he likes stray cats since he's pretty much one himself. Coburn's got all the lines, and suits the slick-talking gambler to the proverbial 'T'. But surprise, surprise, for me—Strother Martin (Poe) has a sympathetic role for a change as a trustworthy associate. No doubt about it, this is a man's picture and about the worst 'date movie' I can think of, unless she likes bare male torsos. But it's also one heckuva gritty Bronson flick.