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Hard Times is a 1975 American drama film directed by Walter Hill and starring Charles Bronson, James Coburn, and Jill Ireland. The film takes place during the Great Depression and follows the story of Chaney, a drifter and a talented streetfighter who arrives in New Orleans in search of work. He meets a slick promoter named Speed who sets up illegal bare-knuckle fights for money and is always looking for the next big score.
Chaney proves to be a formidable fighter and soon gains a reputation as a champion. However, he is a man of few words and keeps to himself. Chaney and Speed form an uneasy partnership, with Speed acting as Chaney's manager and promoter. Speed borrows money from loan sharks to finance the fights and pays Chaney a percentage of the winnings.
The fights are brutal and often deadly, with no rules and no referees. The crowds come to see the bloodshed, and Speed gets rich off the profits. However, he is also a compulsive gambler and soon loses all their money to the local mob boss, Gandil.
Chaney is not interested in the money and only wants to fight. He agrees to fight one more time for no pay in a winner-takes-all match against Gandil's top fighter, a ruthless and unbeatable opponent named Street. Despite being injured in the fight, Chaney manages to defeat Street and emerges as the true champion.
In the end, Chaney walks away from the world of illegal fighting and returns to his solitary life. He gives Speed what little money he has left and tells him to use it wisely. As Speed walks away, Chaney looks out over the city and reflects on the hard times that have brought him here.