The Mechanic (1972)

Arthur Bishop

The 1970's: where the wah wah pedal, and horn sections meet sunglasses and car chases. Where the squeal of burning rubber was not only heard in the streets, but on dirt roads as well. Mustaches, side burns and feathered back hair or puffed out afros, were the only fitting compliments to over sized collars and contoured bell bottom corduroy's draped over monk strapped ankle high boots. Muscle cars ruled the road and ample cleavage saved the day.

This is Arthur Bishop's (Charles Bronson) story.

Old grungy LA, so grungy it looks like NYC, the same LA look we saw on The Doors Morrison Hotel album liner photos.

Title sequences nicely 70's with their block shadows.

Camera shot compositions and angles incredibe, huge close up crops, wide macro scenes.

Bishop in a red bath robe.

Fantastic lack of dialogue, 15 min until the first words are spoken.

The methodical steps of assassination carefully planned out and perfectly executed. The patience. The discipline. Cool and calculated.

Case studies, photos, clippings, cork boards, classical music and a glass of merlot.

A soft and firm Yes, that's how badasses like Arthur Bishop answer a phone.

An in between job visit to a scantily clad role playing, blonde call girl.

Steve McKenna (Jan-Michael Vincent), youthful, cocky and dapper, blonde feathered hair.

Bishop- cool, calm, collected, confident and reassuring, his lack of words exposing his aged wisdom.

Bishop's house is a bachelors dream.

Underlying health problems ignored in typical male fashion.

The mentor sharing stories of days long before the student. Only enough information to enlighten but never filling the gaps between.

There are alternatives to everything.

The original The Mechanic, watch it, enjoy it, bask in the badassness of 70's cinema done right.