Death Wish 2 (DVD)

It is always interesting to read the film reviews in this excellent opinion service. You can often tell that the reviewer has not only enjoyed the film but that the viewing of the film has enhanced their lives, made them feel better (or worse) as a result of seeing the film. If you are what you eat then to extend that to you are what you consume then as a film viewer does your favourite film say something about you. Can a film also consciously or sub-consciously develop your views about subjects such as violence, justice, retribution and the rule of law.

I will not beat about the bush any longer. Not only do I not like Death Wish 2 but I also think it is a nasty little film made by a nasty little man. It is a film which demeans the viewer and makes violent voyeurs of those who watch. The film was directed by the odious Michael Winner in 1981 and starred the husband and wife pairing of Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland. Set in Los Angeles it begins with the brutal rape of Bronsons daughter who in the original film had been so traumatised she was already unable to communicate with the outside world. Having been entertained by the rape the audience is then encouraged to support the distasteful violent retribution which Bronson meats out upon the perpetrators.

A better production might have been able to better explore with the viewer the relationship between crime and punishment, between justice and retribution, between a just crusade and excessive violence. There can be an excess of violence which reduces those who rightfully seek justice for wrongs done to them to a status little better than those who committed the crime in the first place. What Death Wish 2 does is give an overly simplistic view of these complex matters. At a time when measured responses to obscene crimes are needed it is hugely sad that films like Death Wish 2 have conditioned some people to believe that in retribution might is right and that extreme violence can be cool and just.