After purchasing The Cannon Group in 1979, Israeli filmmakers Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus were ready to conquer Hollywood. While many of their low-budget pictures made money, their release of 1982’s Death Wish II put them on the map. Following the sequel’s success, Golan and Globus wanted to make another film with Hollywood veteran Charles Bronson. Producer Pancho Kohner wished to adapt the 1978 novel The Evil That Men Do, but the rights would’ve cost $200,000. Instead, Golan asked him to develop a new title, which they promoted at Cannes despite not having a story. Upon returning home, Kohner asked his friend Lance Hool for help, and he gave him a script called Bloody Sunday. Besides the title, nothing in the screenplay was changed, and Happy Birthday to Me director J. Lee Thompson was hired. In March 1983, The Cannon Group released the crime thriller/slasher film 10 to Midnight.
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Synopsis
Detectives Leo Kessler (Charles Bronson) and Paul McAnn (Andrew Stevens) are investigating a series of murders in Los Angeles. Almost every victim is a beautiful young woman found disemboweled and left to bleed out to death. The killer is an officer repairman, Warren Stacey (Gene Davis), a quiet loner who feels rejected by every woman. Meanwhile, Kessler is trying to repair the relationship with his daughter Laurie (Lisa Eilbacher), whom he abandoned for work. Through the investigation, Kessler learns that Stacey is responsible and makes it his mission to bring him to justice. He goes so far as to plant evidence to try and frame Stacey, only for him to be let out. Now a free man, Kessler and Stacey battle wits against one another until Stacey goes after Laurie. With time running out, it’s up to a weathered detective and his young partner to stop a malicious slasher.
Review
I’m unsure if 10 to Midnight belongs in this series since it’s more of a crime thriller than a slasher. Then again, when else will I talk about this 1983 Charles Bronson thriller from The Cannon Group? While this is more Dirty Harry than Friday the 13th, 10 to Midnight is exciting, well-paced, and well-made. While he looked like he was coasting and doing the bare minimum, Charles Bronson seemed to enjoy his role here. He has excellent chemistry with Andrew Stevens; the scenes of them bantering back and forth are a highlight. Lisa Eilbacher also does a great job as Kessler’s daughter and manages to hold her own against Bronson. Wilford Brimley fits the role of the cranky police captain to a T, though his screen time is limited. Also, there’s an appearance from Ola Ray, who was also in the music video for Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
However, the film’s real star is Gene Davis as the cold and calculating serial killer Warren Stacey. He’s putting his all into this role and makes for one of the most intense villains of the 1980s. Seeing him going after women who rejected him, I can’t help but feel like this movie is still relevant today. J. Lee Thompson does a great job building the suspense through harsh shadows and moody lighting. Adding to that is the phenomenal score by Robert Ragland, which adds a lot of energy to the film. Granted, this movie is a product of its time, with its views of justice leaning heavily to the right. Some may scoff at the violence and nudity, but this film is practically tame compared to Michael Winner’s work. Overall, 10 to Midnight is a compelling crime thriller that happens to have some slasher elements.
Buy 10 to Midnight from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3R2uX85.
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