<Tr> <Th> Budget </Th> <Td> $3 million </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $22 million </Td> </Tr> <P> Death Wish is a 1974 American vigilante action film, loosely based on the 1972 novel of the same title by Brian Garfield . The film was directed by Michael Winner and stars Charles Bronson as Paul Kersey, an architect who becomes a vigilante after his wife is murdered and his daughter sexually assaulted during a home invasion . It was the first of the Death Wish film franchise . </P> <P> At the time of release, the film was attacked by many film critics due to its support of vigilantism and advocating unlimited punishment of criminals . The novel denounced vigilantism, whereas the film embraced the notion . The film was a commercial success and resonated with the public in the United States, which was facing increasing crime rates during the 1970s . </P>

When did the first death wish movie come out