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Poster for Hard Times

Hard Times

Seen it?

1975 | 93 min | Drama

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It earned strong reviews (94% on Rotten Tomatoes), it made about 10 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Raging Bull or Warrior, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 33 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Made in 1975: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

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.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.8 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerStrong

    $27 million worldwide on a $3 million budget

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 107K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Walter Hill

  • Charles BronsonChaney
  • James CoburnSpencer "Speed" Weed
  • Jill IrelandLucy Simpson
  • Strother MartinPoe
  • Margaret BlyeGayleen Schoonover
  • Michael McGuireGandil
  • Felice OrlandiLe Beau
  • Edward WalshPettibon
  • Bruce GloverDoty
  • Robert TessierJim Henry