Vintage original 27x41 in. US "Style A" one-sheet poster from the classic 1970's action crime thriller, THE MECHANIC, released in 1972 by United Artists and directed by Michael Winner. Charles Bronson stars as an aging hitman who befriends a young man (Jill Ireland) who wants to be a professional killer. Eventually it becomes clear that someone
has betrayed them.
This is the film's "Style A" one-sheet poster and depicts a close shot of Bronson holding a box that "contains the tools of his trade." Unrestored and folded as originally issued, this vintage original one-sheet is in fine- condition with random small creases in the image area; a small amount of separation at the top and bottom crossfolds; and various signs of wear in the borders and along the fold lines. There are no pinholes, stains, or other flaws.
Cliff Robertson was originally cast as Arthur Bishop,
with Jeff Bridges as Steve McKenna. There is no dialogue for the
first 16 minutes. This picture is notable for a
motor-cycle stunt where a motor-bike rider, at the end of a long chase, rides
his bike off a 200 foot cliff. Husqvarna motor cycles were specially adapted to
film the chase hitting speeds of nearly 110 miles per hour whilst filming on
location at the Indian Dunes, Newhall, California. Bishop's
painting that features significantly in the film is entitled, "The Garden of Earthly
Delights," by Hieronymus Bosch, and the original is in the Museo del Prado
in Madrid. The closing scenes of this movie were shot in
Italy, specifically Naples, Campania, Italy.