Hard Times

New Orleans, 1933. In those days words didn't say much.

1975 • 93 min • Drama · Action · Crime

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Synopsis

In the depression, Chaney, a strong silent streetfighter, joins with Speed, a promoter of no-holds-barred street boxing bouts. They go to New Orleans where Speed borrows money to set up fights for Chaney, but Speed gambles away any winnings.

Our family guide

Best from age 12

Movie Knight Score

240 reviews

100 Reviewers · 2 · 51%
68 Audience · 238 · 49%

Chaney, a quiet street brawler during the Great Depression, teams up with an ambitious promoter, Speed, for bare-knuckle boxing matches. They journey to New Orleans, where Chaney’s fighting skills are put to the test, even as Speed’s gambling habits threaten their success. It

Violence & peril: 6/10
Language: 3/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 4/10
Romance & sensuality: 2/10
Scary moments: 3/10

Heads up

Frequent bare-knuckle fighting is depicted
Gambling addiction is a central plot point
Some characters smoke and drink

What it models well

Perseverance through hardship
Loyalty and partnership
Finding a path forward

Talk about it after

The realities of survival during the Great Depression
The ethics of gambling and its consequences
The difference between sport and illegal fighting

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Hard Times. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

Where to watch

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Top billed cast

Director: Walter Hill • Crew: Walter Hill, Bruce Henstell, Bryan Gindoff, Bryan Gindoff, Bruce Henstell

Trailers & clips

Reviewer notes

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
You're not going to do it for free. Hard Times sees Charles Bronson play Chaney, a drifter who travels to Louisiana during the Great Depression and begins competing in illegal bare-knuckled boxing matches that are set up by his new found partner Spencer 'Speed' Weed (James Coburn).…
John Chard, TMDB Community

Recommended
Another great Walter Hill film with a strong cast. Bronson, Coburn, and Martin are all favorites of mine. A depression-era street fighter hooks up with a compulsive gambler and a morphine addict. I've watched it multiple times over it's 40 plus year life. It's worth your time...
ky1958, TMDB Community