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Charley Varrick

Play trailer Poster for Charley Varrick PG 1973 1h 51m Crime Drama Action Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
82% Tomatometer 28 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
When small-time criminal Charley Varrick (Walter Matthau) leads a crew to rob a bank, things don't exactly go according to plan. Not only are there casualties, but also, he and his surviving cohort, Harman Sullivan (Andy Robinson), discover that they've snagged far more cash than they were expecting --and it's money that belongs to the mob. Hunted by both the police and a ruthless killer named Molly (Joe Don Baker), Charley and Harman may not live long enough to enjoy their small fortune.
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Charley Varrick

Charley Varrick

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Critics Consensus

With Walter Matthau adding hangdog soul to Don Siegel's propulsive direction, Charley Varrick is a crime thriller that really scores.

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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker Sep 19, 2023
Charley Varrick doesn't even look good; the color is blah and runny, the compositions are squat and no more than functional, and the director, Don Siegel, slogs along from scene to scene. Go to Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Jun 11, 2021
Thanks to Siegel's impeccable direction and to the imaginative script Howard Rodman and Dean Riesner fashioned from John Reese's novel "The Looters," this... becomes a compelling struggle between brains and brawn. Go to Full Review George McKinnon Boston Globe Jun 11, 2021
As in all Siegel films, there is constant violence, but a sharp, clear focus and quick action prevents you from dwelling on plot inconsistencies. Go to Full Review Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope Oct 5, 2025
B
This appears to be a low-budget movie, where dead people can be seen breathing and actors sometimes trip and stumble. Such scenes would usually be re-shot or otherwise fixed, but somehow this ends up making the movie look more realistic for the most part. Go to Full Review Sean Burns Crooked Marquee Jan 15, 2024
Siegel's cutting is as ruthless as his characters, and it’s easy to see an autobiographical aspect to Charley Varrick’s no-nonsense pragmatism. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Jul 4, 2023
3/4
...entertaining and thoroughly satisfying... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Rick R @RT01654519 May 28, 2026 Very entertaining! Held my attention. I am a fan of Walter Matthau. See more Kevin L @Lakeman May 20, 2026 Very Don Siegel- little rough around the edges, but enough realism, down-to-earth characters & storyline, & some fine performances. There's some terrific character actors- Vernon, Fell, North, Schallert, Parfrey, Baker. But Matthau drives the engine here. A decent enough crime flick led by a very schrewd character in Varrick. Not too many car vs. cropduster chase scenes. Good ending. 3.2 stars See more Bruce B. @bruce1945 May 6, 2026 Held together for a 60 year old crime story so Worth watching. See more MC B @RT23450091 Feb 26, 2026 Just watched some 70's movie- The Long Goodbye, Nightmoves, The Conversation, and Charley Varrick. Thw first 3 I highly recommend. But Charley Varrick isn't even close to those films. 2 stars and an incredibly annoying soundtrack. Skip Charley Varrick. See more Russ G @RT78760655 Feb 24, 2026 Some interesting plot twists, but some you just can't square. Charley uses his pursuers to bump off his loose-cannon partner, but how did he know everyone would cooperate in his little scheme? He needs the passports, but knows the woman will double-cross him? The action is good and the pacing OK, but the whole thing is just too clever by half. Joe Don Baker is good as the sadistic hit man, but who would'a thunk that Oscar Madison could be a stone killer? See more GotRizz237 @GotRizz237 Feb 12, 2026 I really enjoyed Charley Varrick! Really great story and characters. See more Read all reviews
Charley Varrick

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Cast & Crew

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Don Siegel

Director

Walter Matthau

Charley Varrick

Joe Don Baker

Molly

Felicia Farr

Sybil Fort

Andrew Robinson

Harman Sullivan

John Vernon

Maynard Boyle

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Charley Varrick

Charley Varrick (1973) Charley Varrick (1973) Charley Varrick (1973) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When small-time criminal Charley Varrick (Walter Matthau) leads a crew to rob a bank, things don't exactly go according to plan. Not only are there casualties, but also, he and his surviving cohort, Harman Sullivan (Andy Robinson), discover that they've snagged far more cash than they were expecting --and it's money that belongs to the mob. Hunted by both the police and a ruthless killer named Molly (Joe Don Baker), Charley and Harman may not live long enough to enjoy their small fortune.
Director
Don Siegel
Producer
Don Siegel
Screenwriter
Dean Riesner, Howard Rodman
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Crime, Drama, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 11, 2015
Runtime
1h 51m
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