MovieChat Forums > Mr. Majestyk (1974) Discussion > Some of the best tough guy dialog ever

Some of the best tough guy dialog ever


Sure, this film has some plot points that are hard to believe, but what action movie doesn't? I think it's thoroughly entertaining, and one of Bronson's better performances. Memorable action scenes: The back country chase with all the Ford pickup stunts--Awesome. The prison bus hijacking--Awful. (Hey, it's a good movie, not a great one.)

But, some of the best tough guy dialog ever:

[First words spoken]
ATTENDENT: (pumping Majestyk's gas) "Three bucks worth. That's all you want?"
MAJESTYK: "Yeah, and if you're not too busy you can wipe the bugs off the windshield."
[Perfect. Tells so much about Majestyk's character in one line.]
---
KOPAS: "See, everything goes a lot easier, with a lot less trouble, when you do business with me."
MAJESTYK: You make sounds like you're a mean little ass-kicker. Only I aint convinced.
---
(In jail)
MAJESTYK: "Hey, buddy, you gonna eat that sausage?"
RENDA: (knocks tray on floor)
MAJESTYK: "You aint gonna eat it, nobody is, huh?"
RENDA: "Help yourself."
MAJESTYK: "No, I guess not...I will take one of those cigarettes, though."
[Guys who've been in prison often have that "I'm not mad yet, but I won't back down" attitude. It's more realistic than many people realize--and beautifully performed by both Bronson and Lettieri.]
---
(Renda surprises Majestyk in a bar they both know a cop is watching)
RENDA: "I just want you to know. I'm gonna kill you."
MAJESTYK: "Seems like there's no use trying to get on your good side." (Clocks him with a left hook, then goes to the can to get Nancy)
MAJESTYK: (On his way out) "Hey, why don't you call a cop?"
[The faces of Renda and the cop after the punch are priceless.]
---
MAJESTYK: (After firing his deer rifle into the cabin, scaring the crap out of everyone inside, shouts) "Come on, Frank. Let's finish it. I got work to do."

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Elmore Leonard is a master of dialog.







Absurdity: A Statement or belief inconsistent with my opinion.

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I also like Majestyk's line right at the end after the shoot-out at the cabin:

"Hey Inspector, you were right. He was really trying to kill me!"

Bronson delivered that line beautifully.

When I said I wanted to be a comedian, they all laughed at me. Well, they're not laughing now!

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