10 to Midnight (1983)
10 to Midnight is an American crime-horror-thriller film from 1983 directed by J. Lee Thompson. Starring Charles Bronson in the lead role with a supporting cast that includes Lisa Eilbacher, Andrew Stevens, Gene Davis, Geoffrey Lewis, and Wilford Brimley.
Plot
In Los Angeles, the rookie Detective Paul McAnn teams up with the veteran Detective Leo Kessler to investigate the murder of Betty Johnson and her boyfriend that were stabbed by a naked serial-killer in a park.
Detective Kessler recognizes the victim, who lived in the same neighborhood many years ago and childhood friend of his daughter Laurie Kessler.
The killer Warren Stacy goes to the funeral and overhears Betty’s father telling Detective Kessler that his daughter had a diary. Warren breaks in Betty’s apartment and stabs and kills her roommate Karen Smalley trying to find the diary. Karen had already delivered the journal to Kessler. Leo Kessler is sure that Warren is the serial-killer and her plants a false evidence in his apartment. However, Warren’s defense lawyer presses Detective McAnn accusing him of perjury and Warren is released. Now Warren is stalking Laurie to revenge against her father.
Notable scenes
The ending.
Making of 10 to Midnight
The original script called for Leo Kessler to wrestle Warren Stacy to the ground in their final confrontation but Charles Bronson wasn’t getting that “up close and personal” with a naked man.
The film was made in 1982, two years before DNA started to be used in criminal investigations.
Charles Bronson, 61 at the time, had plastic surgery in order to make himself look young enough to play Leo Kessler.
After attending a screening of the film, producer Pancho Kohner took Charles Bronson and his wife Jill Ireland to a trendy sushi restaurant to celebrate. During the dinner, Kohner noticed that Bronson was quiet and seemed down. Thinking he didn’t like the film, Kohner told him to cheer up and that it was a good film. Bronson told him that it wasn’t the film, it was just that he hated sushi.
Inspired by real-life cases. The first was Richard Speck’s murders of eight student nurses. The second was when a Scotland Yard investigator got fired from his job for planting evidence to convict a Thames River killer, and it turned out that the killer committed three murders before being convicted. The third case is that of Ted Bundy -to whom the actor playing the killer (Gene Davis) bears a striking resemblance- in that Bundy murdered young and beautiful women, he was good-looking and drove a Volkswagen Beetle.
Gene Davis, playing serial killer Warren Stacy, was so into his role and acting so intensely that he actually dislocated an actress’ arm during the final murder and massacre sequence.
Our view on 10 to midnight
10 to Midnight is a one of a kind movie. The film is still shocking to this day. Charles Bronson is excellent in it and Gene Davis put on an incredible performance. Good music and direction. If you like the cast above and really surprising thrilling films then watch 10 to Midnight!
Trailer
Where to buy
DVD/VHS/Betamax/VCC LP
Watch on Tubi
Details
Genre: crime
Released in: 1983
Era: eighties
Actors: Charles Bronson
Director: J. Lee Thompson
Poster artist: Enzo Sciotti
Country: USA
