Many like to laugh at Charles Bronson(myself included) because of his typecasting in 80s vigilante style action flick where he's usually portrayed as a senior citizen taking out the scum of the earth.  You won't be laughing at him in Hard Times.  Bronson made good movies, played good roles(see The Great Escape for another good example).  Hard Times is one good movie.  Bronson is the textbook definition of "tough guy".  He plays a street fighter in the 30s who doesn't say much, but can knock the taste right out of your mouth.  Basically, it's the Bronson version of Every Which Way But Loose, minus the laughs and the ape.  Watch him beat the snot out of guys who think they're tougher than nails, and woo Jill Ireland in the process.  Watch James Coburn give another great performance(as usual).  Watch the movie, man!!  It's astounding that Bronson was 54 when he did this.  54!!!  He's solid muscle in this film, you'd have to be crazy to want to fight the guy!  Vin Diesel?  Russell Crowe?  Amateurs!  Tough guy wannabees!  You won't see them looking like this and kicking tail when they're 54, that's for sure.  It may be an all but forgotten film now, but thank god for dvd.  That means you'd better march your butt down to the video store.  Pronto.