Top 5 Old Brutal Action Dramas For Real Men (No Statham & Stallone!)

Is cinema really gendered? Well, we would like to say no, but reality says otherwise. Although all movies can be enjoyed by both men and women, there are some that are more obviously made for each group.

For example, we know that silly romantic comedies are mostly watched by female audiences looking for love adventures, and hardcore action thrillers are mostly watched by men. But lately, there have been too many movies made for male audiences, and it seems that the creators have forgotten what a perfect male movie should be like.

We're tired of all the modern clichés that famous action actors like Jason Statham and Sylvester Stallone bring to the genre, so let's take a look back and talk about these 5 real old manly dramas.

1. The Mechanic (1972)

It’s funny that we decided to start with this movie, because many of you may only know the late version of the movie where Statham is playing the titular role. But what we want to tell you about is the original film created in 1972, featuring Charles Bronson and Jan Michael Vincent.

At the center of the movie is a story of a rather unlikely and even dangerous friendship. An aging hitman becomes friends with a young man who dreams of becoming a professional killer himself. But something goes terribly wrong in their relationship. Whose fault is that?

2. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

What is more suitable for men than a three-hour western action? The movie has a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score and it’s obvious why. For starters, it’s a Sergio Leone movie, so you know it’s going to be epic.

The drama is set on the very edge of the American West. A woman arrives there to meet her new husband and his kids, only to find them dead. She later meets a mysterious man with a harmonica, played by Charles Bronson, and the prime suspect of the murder, Cheyenne, who was to be framed for something he didn’t do. And the three of them try to get even.

“Bronson’s stoic “Harmonica” character is evocative of classic Eastwood, but still distinctly unique. Fonda cast against type as a ruthless villain was such a great choice. Robards and Cardinale also shine throughout. Leone’s skills as a filmmaker are on full display. The high tension, the tight closeups, the landscapes, and the freaking harmonica,” Redditor Zandu008 said.

3. The Great Escape (1963)

The movie is an epic war suspense adventure film starring Steve McQueen, James Garner and Richard Attenborough. A perfect watch for men, as it has almost everything they find attractive in a movie.

The story revolves around several prisoners of war trying to find a way out. But they don't just want to escape themselves, they want to take out 700 of them! The first half of the movie is more comical as we see the main characters trying to find a way out, and the second part is more of an epic adventure as they do their best to leave occupied Europe.

4. The Deer Hunter (1978)

The Deer Hunter is a tough movie and not everyone can go through it, but still Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and John Savage make it a must for those who love war epics with action twists.

The film is an in-depth examination of the ways in which the Vietnam War affects and disrupts lives. It focuses on three friends who used to go deer hunting together. But when they came back, everything was different for them, and what used to be fun turned into a nightmare.

5. Dirty Harry (1971)

The list wouldn't be complete without Clint Eastwood, would it? After turning it on, we find out that there's a maniac terrorizing San Francisco. He calls himself "The Scorpio Killer".

But apparently he is not as tough as he seems, because of the games we see him playing with Police Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan, who is assigned to track down the crazy psychopath. Do you have any ideas how he will succeed in that?