Joe Kidd (1972) 6.4
An ex-bounty hunter reluctantly helps a wealthy landowner and his henchmen track down a Mexican revolutionary leader. Director:John SturgesWriter:Elmore Leonard |
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Joe Kidd (1972) 6.4
An ex-bounty hunter reluctantly helps a wealthy landowner and his henchmen track down a Mexican revolutionary leader. Director:John SturgesWriter:Elmore Leonard |
|
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Clint Eastwood | ... | ||
| Robert Duvall | ... |
Frank Harlan
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| John Saxon | ... |
Luis Chama
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| Don Stroud | ... |
Lamarr
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Stella Garcia | ... |
Helen Sanchez
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James Wainwright | ... |
Mingo
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| Paul Koslo | ... |
Roy
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| Gregory Walcott | ... |
Mitchell
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| Dick Van Patten | ... |
Hotel Manager
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Lynne Marta | ... |
Elma
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John Carter | ... |
Judge
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Pepe Hern | ... |
Priest
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| Joaquín Martínez | ... |
Manolo
(as Joaquin Martinez)
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Ron Soble | ... |
Ramon
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Pepe Callahan | ... |
Naco
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Joe Kidd is a former bounty hunter and all-around tough-guy in the American Southwest. When a band of Mexicans find their U. S. land claims denied and all relevant records destroyed in a courthouse fire, they turn to force of arms. Louis Chama is their charismatic leader, spouting revolutionary rhetoric and demanding land reform. A wealthy landowner with interests in the disputed area, Frank Harlan, decides to settle things his own way. He hires a band of killers and wants Joe Kidd to help them track Chama. Initially, Kidd wants to avoid any involvement, until Chama makes the mistake of stealing Kidd's horses and terrorizing his friends. Written by Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>
Clint was already a veteran of many westerns by the time he made "Joe Kidd" and, though many don't find it among his best, it shows Clint as the Joe of the title doing what he does best.
As a ne'er-do-well who ends up siding with Luis Chama (Saxon), a wanted Mexican bandito, Kidd does battle with a group of bounty hunters (led by a suitably villainous Duvall) out for Chama's blood.
"Joe Kidd" is leisurely but not uninteresting; after all, any film written by Elmore Leonard has interesting points (just look at his later work). And when I saw Clint eye that train, I knew something was going to happen (you'll have to see that one yourself).
Overall, "Joe Kidd" may not be as big as "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" or as profound as "Unforgiven", but it's a good film nonetheless and bears watching. If just for that classic Eastwood squint.
Eight stars. And for future reference, never upset a man holding a pot of stew.