‘Death Wish’ With Bill Simmons and Chris Ryan
May 14, 2025 · Death Wish (1974) · Action · Crime · Drama · 1:20:48 · ▶ Listen on Spotify
Categories
Most Rewatchable Scene
Bill SimmonsThe roll of quarters scene where Kersey gets quarters from the bank and swings them around against attackers▶ 33:29
Chris RyanThe 10 minute Tucson sequence where Paul learns about guns and connects with Wild West mythology▶ 34:52
Great Shot Gordo Award
Chris RyanThe wide angle lens shots of the mother and daughter hanging out in the apartment before the thugs arrive, particularly the fisheye-style shot of them sitting on the bed talking▶ 46:40
What's Aged the Worst
Bill SimmonsThe Bruce Willis 2018 remake - it was a great idea for a remake but the execution wasn't good▶ 54:26
Chris RyanMultiple elements: the graphic rape-murder scene, the nickname 'the vigilante' being unimaginative, Paul's unrealistic quick return to normalcy after trauma, and the behind-the-scenes casting decision where Bronson refused to let his real wife play the role▶ 52:39
Is There a Better Title?
Bill SimmonsDiscusses that the original title 'The Sidewalk Vigilante' would be better than just 'The Vigilante', and argues that having 'Death' in the title was actually beneficial rather than a deterrent▶ 55:27
Overacting Award
Bill SimmonsJeff Goldblum — The three bad guys, specifically Goldblum and the other antagonists▶ 55:44
Chris RyanJeff Goldblum — Goldblum, describing his performance as over-the-top Warriors-style acting▶ 55:53
Casting What-Ifs
Bill SimmonsElvis Presley — Discussed multiple alternatives including Elvis Presley (his preference), George C. Scott, and John Cazale as son-in-law, but most enthusiastic about Elvis in the role▶ 58:53
Chris RyanJack Lemmon — Jack Lemmon with Sidney Lumet directing - would have created an amazing 70s drama about an emasculated businessman▶ 57:32
Half-Assed Internet Research
Bill SimmonsMultiple trivia facts: Bronson wanted to film in California but they forced NYC location; Bronson was difficult to work with; book author Brian Garfield was furious about the film calling it incendiary; Bronson defended it as anti-violence commentary; Denzel rumor debunked - he wasn't in the film despite IMDb claims▶ 1:01:58
Chris RyanContributing context: Different Hollywood system back then allowed difficult actors who could perform basic action roles; book was more critical of vigilantism than the film adaptation; Brian Garfield wrote two books, one being a response to this movie▶ 1:02:39
Is This Movie Better With
Bill SimmonsNell in the park saying 'oh my gosh' and Ryan Rucco on the subway platform when he shoots the two guys▶ 1:14:40
Probably Unanswerable Questions
Bill SimmonsHow does Paul explain his gunshot wound to work and seamlessly transfer with a limp without raising suspicion?▶ 1:15:32
Chris RyanWould the commissioner, district attorney, and cop all agree to suppress his arrest?▶ 1:15:17
Coach Finstock Life Lesson
Chris RyanThe big part in the beginning of the film when they're like, is it time to cut and run from New York City - if you're feeling that way, maybe you should do it▶ 1:16:55
Movies Referenced (37)
| Title (year) | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elvis (2022) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 58:44 |
| Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:49 |
| Annie Hall (1977) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 19:59 |
| Big Trouble in Little China (1986) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Chris Ryan | ▶ 44:46 |
| Escape from New York (1981) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 17:49 |
| John Wick (2014) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:06:07 |
| The Apartment (1960) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Chris Ryan | ▶ 46:46 |
| Batman (1989) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Chris Ryan | ▶ 3:17 |
| Bright (2017) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | ▶ 53:14 |
| Dirty Harry (1971) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 3:40 |
| Falling Down (1993) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 4:58 |
| Hancock (2008) | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 47:04 |
Directors Referenced (6)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Winner | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Death Wish | ▶ 18:39 |
| Clint Eastwood | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons | Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino, Unforgiven | ▶ 4:10 |
| Sidney Lumet | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Chris Ryan | 12 Angry Men | ▶ 57:34 |
| John Carpenter | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 2 | Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | Halloween | ▶ 17:53 |
| Howard Hughes | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 41:28 | |
| Woody Allen | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | Annie Hall | ▶ 19:57 |
Actors Referenced (66)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Bronson | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 51 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Death Wish, Once Upon a Time in the West, The Great Escape | ▶ 2:03 |
| Paul Kersey | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 26 | Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | Hulk | ▶ 10:02 |
| Jeff Goldblum | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 11 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Jurassic Park, The Fly, The Grand Budapest Hotel | ▶ 12:22 |
| Erica Vigilante | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Tenet, Venom | ▶ 4:50 |
| Tom Hanks | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 7 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Cast Away, Big, Forrest Gump | ▶ 1:06:48 |
| John Wayne | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 6 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance | ▶ 16:55 |
| Elvis Presley | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | ▶ 58:44 | |
| Jack Lemmon | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 5 | Chris Ryan | The Apartment, Glengarry Glen Ross, Some Like It Hot | ▶ 57:38 |
| Frank Sinatra | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons | From Here to Eternity | ▶ 58:37 |
| Liam Neeson | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan | Schindler's List, The Grey | ▶ 10:49 |
| Steven Seagal | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 4 | Bill Simmons | Under Siege 2: Dark Territory | ▶ 12:33 |
| Daniel Jones | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 1:02:49 |
Writers Referenced (4)
| Name | Links | Mentions | Mentioned by | Known For | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Garfield | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 3 | Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons | Death Wish | ▶ 19:18 |
| Roger Ebert | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 25:12 | |
| Sara Gran | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Bill Simmons | ▶ 5:09 | |
| William Goldman | IMDb ↗Lb ↗ | 1 | Chris Ryan | Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President's Men, The Princess Bride | ▶ 16:02 |