Charley Varrick

UPC: 025192620324

Studio: Universal Studios

MPAA Rating: PG   Contains:[Violence, Not For Children, Adult Language, Profanity, Sexual Situations]

Summary: Don Siegel directed this offbeat crime thriller which stars Walter Matthau as the titular Charley Varrick. Varrick is a small-time stick-up man who, in tandem with his partner Harman Sullivan (Andrew Robinson), makes plans to rob a small bank in New Mexico. Varrick and Sullivan are expecting a modest payday for a simple heist, but to their surprise they walk away with $750,000 in cash. But it turns out this isn't entirely good news; the bank was flush with cash because a number of well-connected Mafia chieftains have been using the bank to launder their ill-gotten gains, and they're determined to get their money back. Before Varrick can figure out a way to return the money, sadistic hired killer Molly (Joe Don Baker) is on his trail, forcing Varrick to outwit both the cops and the robbers if he is to stay alive. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Category: Crime

Awards: Best Actor – British Academy of Film and Television Arts

Features: [None specified]

Charley Varrick

Format: DVD

Release Date: 12/28/2004

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Pre-1954 Standard

Audio: DDM2.0 Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono

Runtime: 111 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Michael Hastings

Genre veteran Don Siegel made one of his more subversive choices when he cast the hangdog Walter Matthau as the cunning title character in 1973's caper flick Charley Varrick. It's almost as if Siegel were trying to deflate the type of mythic hero that he previously helped create in Dirty Harry, poking fun at the creation by presenting its slovenly alter ego. Audiences may have balked at Matthau as a captivating crook, but his sarcastic, laconic presence works well within the well-trod realm of action pictures: he doesn't have to work hard to be funny here; his mere presence gives the movie a lightness and vitality. Ultimately, Siegel uses Matthau to much the same effect as Robert Altman did with Elliott Gould in another great crime picture of 1973, The Long Goodbye: the sly, easygoing, benevolent nature of the lead performer makes the film's seemingly out-of-character violence all the more riveting. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Priscilla Garcia  Actor 
Jim Nolan  Actor 
Bob Steele  Actor 
Don Siegel  Actor 
Charlie Briggs  Actor 
Monica Lewis  Actor 
Kathleen O'Malley  Actor 
Tom Tully  Actor 
Rudy Diaz  Actor 
Albert Popwell  Actor 
Virginia Wing  Actor 
Norman Fell  Actor 
William Schallert  Actor 
Scott Hale  Actor 
Colby Chester  Actor 
Jacqueline Scott  Actor 
Charles Matthau  Actor 
Marjorie Bennett  Actor 
Christina Hart  Actor 
Craig R. Baxley  Actor 
Hope Summers  Actor 
Al Dunlap  Actor 
Benson Fong  Actor 
Woodrow Parfrey  Actor 
Jennings Lang  Producer 
Dean Riesner  Screenwriter 
Lalo Schifrin  Composer (Music Score) 
Don Siegel  Director 
Don Siegel  Producer 
Howard Rodman  Screenwriter 
Walter Matthau  Actor 
Joe Don Baker  Actor 
Felicia Farr  Actor 
Andrew Robinson  Actor 
John Vernon  Actor 
Sheree North  Actor 

Country: USA