Valdez Is Coming

I've watched this film over and over. There is perfection in it's brevity, assuredness in performance, outrageous make up, good costumes, peculiarly effective non-classical western camera-work and Burt! Perhaps one day I will write that piece on Burt's political stance demonstrated in his movies, but for now will add my name to the list of Valdez supporters. I particularly admire the taut structure and tone, the minimal but highly emotional exchanges between the players and the curious fact that none of the Mexicans are played by - Mexicans. I do not agree with the associations made by some commentators about the Leone connection. This film came from a completely different camp. This is Lancaster territory not Leone's. I would love to talk to Edwin Sherin about this film or any of the surviving cast and crew. Any offers?

Valdez is Coming is a companion piece to Martin Ritt's HOMBRE. Both stories center on a single man's moral code, as does MR. Majestyk with Charles Bronson. Filled with incredible dialogue and a trailer that cried out,"Tell Frank Tanner, Tell El Segundo and the sixteen others, Valdez Is Coming.Valdez, a good old man tries to ask Frank Tanner for some money to support a widow that was married to a mullato Tanner forced Valdez to kill. Not only doesn't Tanner give the widow and money, after a second attempt of restitution Tanner throws Valdez to his men who tie him to a cross and leave him in the desert to die. A slimey Richard Jordon releases him and 'Bob' Valdez puts his old military uniform on and with his scatter gun and 'indian fightin' ways Valdez proceeds to kill all the men who don't recognize his code of honor, meanwhile stealing and wooing Tanner's woman. An absolute classic of the spaghetti western genre carried to a higher realm by Leonard's script and Lancaster's subtle acting.

The film concerns about the upright Bob Valdez(Burt Lancaster),an older Mexican-American constable,he accidentally murders someone accused by Tanner(Jon Cypher) of being a killer of the husband from his lover(Susan Clark).Then Valdez asks Tanner one hundred dollars for his spouse,it ignites the violence ,passions and ultimately deadly taking on with the local landowner baron and his henchmen(Hector Helizondo,Richard Jordan).A respectable Valdez recovers his uniform and weapons his days in the US cavalry and he goes killing one by one enemies.He's only helped by an old Mexican(Frank Silvera).

This Western revenge flick is plenty of violence,shoot outs and packs lots of action and excellent performances.Features a sensational acting by Burt Lancaster as an old but honorable gunslinger looking for justice. Appear famous secondaries with future and wide career as Hector Helizondo(Pretty woman,Turbulence,Princess diaries)embodies one of the underlings sent back by Tanner for killing him,besides Susan Clark(Showdown,Murder by Decree,Colossus),Frank Silvera((Killer's kid,Viva Zapata) and the early deceased Richard Jordan.The picture is based on Elmore Leonard novel, a prestigious writer with numerous scripts and books adapted to the cinema as Western(3.10 to Yuma,Tall T,Hombre,Joe Kidd)as another genres(Big bounce,Mr Majestic,Jackie Brown,Get Shorty).The motion picture is professionally directed by Edwin Sherin,posteriorly become in director of television(Law and order).The film was shot in Almeria(Spain)where were filmed by the hundred Spaghetti Western.

A former Apache hunter, who has lost his taste for violence, becomes embroiled in a running duel across a scorched, rugged terrain with a gang of gunrunners...all over a lousy 100 bucks...and honor...and a woman. This film reminded me somewhat of Charles Bronson's first big box office hit, "Chato's Land". The band of thugs, unlike the group chasing Chato, were up to the job of killing Valdez, but found their quarry to be more elusive than they had bargained for. Very good western, right up there with Lancaster's film of the same year, "Lawman". I still can't feature Burt as a Mexican, though.

The opening scene begins like a Sunday picnic/Turkey shoot: well-dressed couples in period costumes milling around, young boys plunking away with their new rifles. It takes a minute or so to realize that this is stand-off with a man sealed inside a log cabin. A few racial epithets later and we realize the man is (a) black and (b) possibly innocent of the crime he is accused of.

Director Edwin Scherin lucked into a fine script co-authored by Elmore Leonard, one of the pioneers among popular writers to take up the subject of racism in best-selling detective and action novels. He uses Burt Lancaster, the title character, judiciously at first, having him enter inconspicuously and a little awkwardly, like a man who knows he is out of place. But soon Lancaster assumes control of the deadlocked situation, and but for the interference of a trigger-happy shooter (Richard Jordan), almost manages to end it peacefully.

This scene sets off the plot events that follow, as Valdez tries to obtain money to compensate the man's Native American widow. Most of the action - except for the bizarre humiliation of Valdez at the hands of a wealthy gun-runner - follows standard formulas, but Lancaster underplays his role so well that the clichés turn to his and the movie's advantage. Add solid supporting roles by John Cypher, Susan Clark, and an offbeat ending, and you have a surprisingly engaging Western that delivers what we expect and then some.