10 to Midnight

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

MGM's budget-line DVD of 10 To Midnight is slim on extras but still manages to deliver the goods for Charles Bronson fans thanks to a quality transfer. In the video area, this disc offers both letterboxed and standard versions of 10 To Midnight: both versions benefit from a sharp remastering job that highlights Adam Greenberg's glossy cinematography but the letterboxed version is the best representation of the film. Audio is limited to two-channel Dolby mono but this track is surprisingly robust despite its non-stereo limitations and makes particularly effective use of Robert O. Ragland's pulsating, synthesizer-driven musical score. Extras are limited to the film's original theatrical trailer and a handful of other previews devoted to promoting MGM's line of DVD's. The DVD line trailers are the usual promotional fluff but the 10 to Midnight trailer is a find for exploitation fans: it's a fast-paced marvel that shows off a surprising amount of the film's highlights, both gruesome and sexy, as it gives the viewer an old-fashioned 'hard sell.' All in all, this DVD edition of 10 To Midnight is a solid, reasonably-priced effort that offers decent value for money to the film's fans. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Theatre Wide Screen), 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
• Audio: Dolby Digital Mono
• Screen: Pan and Scan, Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Subtitle: English, Spanish, French
• Features:
  • cc Original theatrical trailer
  • English: Mono
  • English, French & Spanish language subtitles

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Charles Bronson - Leo Kessler
       Lisa Eilbacher - Laurie Kessler
       Gene Davis - Warren Stacey
       Andrew Stevens - Paul McAnn
       Geoffrey Lewis - Dave Dante

• Director:

  J. Lee Thompson

• Producer:

  Yoram Globus, Menahem Golan, Lance Hool, Pancho Kohner

• Screenwriter:

  William Roberts

• Cinematographer:

  Adam Greenberg

• Composer (Music Score):

  Robert O. Ragland

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Craig Felburg

• Editor:

  Peter Lee-Thompson

REVIEW:

• 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. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide

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