''Death Wish'' ,1974 - art by George Kerfyser

A vintage French poster for ''Death Wish'', a 1974 American vigilante action film directed by Michael Winner and starring Charles Bronson. The film... more

by Movie World Posters

Title

''Death Wish'' ,1974 - art by George Kerfyser

Artist

Movie World Posters

Medium

Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Posters

Description

A vintage French poster for ''Death Wish'', a 1974 American vigilante action film directed by Michael Winner and starring Charles Bronson. The film is known for its gritty portrayal of urban crime and vigilantism and became a seminal work in the revenge thriller genre.

The story of "Death Wish" revolves around Paul Kersey, portrayed by Charles Bronson, an architect who lives in New York City with his wife and daughter. When his wife is brutally attacked and his daughter sexually assaulted during a home invasion, Kersey is left traumatized and frustrated by the inability of the police to bring the culprits to justice.

Frustrated by the rising crime rate in the city and the apparent lack of safety, Kersey takes matters into his own hands and becomes a vigilante. He begins patrolling the streets at night, seeking out and eliminating criminals. His actions quickly earn him the nickname "The Vigilante" in the media.

"Death Wish" is notable for its exploration of the moral and ethical questions surrounding vigilantism. The film delves into the psychology of a man who has been pushed to the edge by the violence he has witnessed and experienced. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system and the role of the individual in addressing crime.

Charles Bronson's performance as Paul Kersey is one of the standout aspects of the film. Bronson portrays a character who transforms from a law-abiding citizen into a ruthless avenger, and his portrayal reflects the character's inner turmoil and moral conflicts.

The film's portrayal of urban decay and crime-ridden streets adds to its gritty and realistic atmosphere. It captures the sense of fear and frustration prevalent in many American cities during the 1970s.

"Death Wish" sparked controversy upon its release due to its portrayal of vigilantism and violence. However, it also struck a chord with audiences and became a box office success. The film's success led to several sequels and contributed to the popularization of the vigilante genre in cinema.

While "Death Wish" may be a product of its time, it remains a notable film in the career of Charles Bronson and is remembered for its examination of the theme of personal justice and its impact on society. It is considered a classic of the revenge thriller genre and has left a lasting legacy in the world of action cinema.

About the artist:

George Kerfyser (1923 Paris, France–2001 Sisteron, France) was a leading French movie poster designer.

With a talent early in his life for drawing and painting, he studied art at the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. After graduation, he began getting commissions to design movie posters. His style and technical ability caught the attention of leading film studios in France. As a result, he became the Artistic Director at Columbia Pictures. He designed a number of their posters for major films, including "Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957) and "Lawrence of Arabia" (1963).

Kerfyser's use of colors gave a distinct, recognizable impression. The backgrounds are not crowded with scenes and characters but essential and straightforward. They are characterized by plain uniformly spread colors. Blues, azures, greens, occasionally grays, and reds compose a mosaic of colors in wonderfully cool tones.

Among the characteristics of his style was its versatility, using a variety of designs and techniques he felt were appropriate for the type of film. He also used solid colors running to the edges of his posters. In addition, he made unique typography or hand lettering a central feature.

The characters created by Kerfyser stand out against these colored backgrounds. They often contrast figures with marked outlines, black and evocative in their sometimes realistic, sometimes caricatured style. The modernity of Kerfyser's posters is palpable: they seem like unique covers of contemporary graphic novels.

In his later years, he worked with the Cannes film festival, helping it organize events.

Search "Kerfyser" to see more of his art.

Uploaded

April 6th, 2021