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Sports drama

Hard Times (1975): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Hard Times (1975) movie poster

Hard Times is a 1975 sports drama directed by Walter Hill, starring Charles Bronson, Strother Martin and Jill Ireland. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes. It was nominated for 2 Oscars. Critics gave it 69 on Metacritic.

award nominations
2
Metascore
69
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Watch the trailer Read the plot summary
Hard Times (1975) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
Walter Hill
Genres
Drama , Sport , Crime
Original language
English
Studio
Eureka Entertainment
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Hard Times About?

The premise of Hard Times without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Filmmaker Marc Levin examines the struggles of four families facing unemployment and financial ruin in this poignant drama. The film explores the devastating impact of economic hardship and the challenges of maintaining hope and resilience when confronted with joblessness and financial ruin, revealing the human cost of a struggling economy.

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Cast & crew

Hard Times Cast

Charles Bronson leads the cast, with Strother Martin and Jill Ireland. Directed by Walter Hill; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Hard Times

· 6 more
From the director

More from Walter Hill

More films directed by Walter Hill, best-rated first: The Long Riders, 48 Hrs., Crossroads and Streets of Fire.

Full filmography
Ratings

Hard Times Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Hard Times 69 on Metacritic.

Plot

Hard Times Plot Summary

What happens in Hard Times from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1933, an older man named Chaney [Charles Bronson] watches a bare-knuckled street fight, where bets are laid on the outcome. The fighter, backed by the cocky, fast-talking “Speed” [Strother Martin], loses badly, and Chaney talks a very skeptical Speed into letting him take on the winner. Chaney bets all of the six dollars he has on himself and quickly dispatches his younger opponent, setting the tone for a brutal, high-stakes run. Chaney and a suitably impressed Speed travel to New Orleans to match Chaney against local fighters at long odds, recruiting genteel drug addict Poe as a cutman.

Full summary

The whole story of Hard Times, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Awards

Hard Times Awards & Nominations

Hard Times was nominated for 2 Oscars.

2 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Hard Times Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 1 featurette.

Hard Times (1975) - Trailer HD 1080p
  • Teaser HARD TIMES (Masters of Cinema) New & Exclusive HD Trailer
  • Featurette Josh Olson on HARD TIMES
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Hard Times?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In which city do Chaney and Speed travel to match Chaney against local fighters?
Cars

Cars in Hard Times

8 cars on screen, including the 1936 Packard One-Twenty and the 1928 Ford Model A.

All 8 cars
  • 1936 Packard One-Twenty in Hard Times 1936 Packard One-Twenty Important role
  • 1928 Ford Model A in Hard Times 1928 Ford Model A Background role
  • 1929 Ford Model A in Hard Times 1929 Ford Model A Background role
  • 1930 Ford Model A in Hard Times 1930 Ford Model A Background role
Details

Hard Times Also Known As

30 alternative titles, including “The Streetfighter” and “El peleador callejero”.

Also known as
  • The Streetfighter
  • El peleador callejero
  • Med de bare næver
  • O viaios
  • O Lutador da Rua
  • Luptătorul din New Orleans
  • Тяжелые времена
  • El lluitador
  • Yumruk Yumruğa
  • Street Fighter
  • El luchador
  • L'eroe della strada
+18 more
  • Ein stahlharter Mann
  • Streetfighter
  • Le Bagarreur
  • Lutador de Rua
  • Ο Βίαιος
  • Zlé časy
  • גבר ללא חת
  • 투쟁의 그늘
  • A nagy bunyós
  • Тяжёлые времена
  • Трудни времена
  • 快打旋风
  • دوران مشقت
  • Haastaja
  • ストリートファイター
  • Sunkūs laikai
  • Ciężkie Czasy
  • Çıplak Yumruk

Seen Hard Times?
FAQ

Hard Times FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Hard Times, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Hard Times?

Hard Times runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Hard Times released?

Hard Times was released on October 8, 1975.

Who directed Hard Times?

Hard Times was directed by Walter Hill.

More films by Walter Hill

Who is in the cast of Hard Times?

Hard Times stars Charles Bronson, Strother Martin and Jill Ireland, among 10 credited actors.

How is Hard Times rated?

Hard Times has 69 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Was Hard Times nominated for any awards?

Hard Times received 2 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Does Hard Times have a post-credit scene?

No. Hard Times has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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