Cold Sweat (1970)
Directed by Terence Young—best known for helming early James Bond films—Cold Sweat is a gritty French-Italian thriller starring Charles Bronson, Liv Ullmann, and James Mason. Based on Richard Matheson’s novel Ride the Nightmare, the film blends revenge, drug trafficking, and hostage drama against the sun-drenched backdrop of the French Riviera.
Plot Summary
Joe Martin (Bronson) is an American ex-con living a quiet life in France with his wife Fabienne (Ullmann) and stepdaughter. But his past catches up when former prison mates—led by the ruthless Captain Ross (Mason)—kidnap his family to force him into helping them smuggle drugs. As Joe races to save them, he’s forced into a high-stakes car chase and a tense showdown with his old enemies.
Cast Highlights
- Charles Bronson as Joe Martin
- Liv Ullmann as Fabienne Martin
- James Mason as Captain Ross
- Jill Ireland as Moira
- Michel Constantin, Luigi Pistilli, and Jean Topart in supporting roles
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- Filmed in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France, with extensive use of real locations along the Mediterranean coast
- Bronson reportedly earned $400,000 for the role
- The film features a notorious car chase involving a red Opel Commodore GS/E, which Bronson drives to fetch a doctor for a wounded drug dealer
- Jason Robards was originally cast as Captain Ross but was replaced by James Mason
- Actress Liv Ullmann later complained that Bronson was rude to her and her daughter during filming, allegedly scolding her child with “Please keep your child to yourself”
