If youre only familiar with Charles Bronson through his films with Michael Winner, you might find it hard to believe that he was also in The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape and The Dirty Dozen, among others. Hes a long way from his glory days in Murphys Law, but its still the pick of his 80s films. Framed for the murder of his ex-wife, Chuck hightails it to a rustic cabin, where his ex-partner takes him in, gives him a weapon and says take care, old friend. So we know the guys as good as dead. Sure enough, when Chuck leaves to confront whoever set him up, along comes psychotic Carrie Snodgress whos waging a vendetta against the men that put her away, including the partner, who she wastes on the spot. All the expected clichés and caricatures are present and correct in this Cannon classic, but best of all are the eye-talian mobsters that Chuck tangles with. When one of them informs him of Murphys Law (anything that can go wrong may result in a nosy cop taking a swim), Bronson says: The only law I know is Jack Murphys law. Its very simple. Dont f**k with Jack Murphy.
Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'
