Chino (1973)

A runaway teenager and a mixed-race horse breeder strike an unlikely friendship in the context of common hardships.

Directors:

John Sturges, Duilio Coletti

Writers:

Lee Hoffman (novel), Clair Huffaker (screenplay)

Stars:

Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland, Marcel Bozzuffi

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Charles Bronson	...	Chino Valdez
Jill Ireland	...	Catherine
Marcel Bozzuffi	...	Maral
Vincent Van Patten	...	Jamie Wagner
Fausto Tozzi	...	Cruz
Ettore Manni	...	Sheriff
Melissa Chimenti	...	Indian
Corrado Gaipa	...	Padre
José Nieto	...	Mexican (as Jose Nieto)
Diana Lorys	...	Indian (as Diana Loris)
Conchita Muñoz	...	Mexican (as Conchita Munoz)

Storyline

Chino Valdez is a loner horse breeder living in the old west. Partly a loner by choice, and partly because, being a 'half-breed', he finds himself unwelcome almost everywhere he goes. One day, a young runaway named Jimmy shows up at his door looking for work and a roof over his head. Reluctantly, Chino agrees to take him in and teach him the art of raising, breaking and breeding horses, until the pair finally begin to accept each other.

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Plot Keywords:

horse | half breed | man in bathtub | cowboys and outlaws | beating | 

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Taglines:

They Took His Land...His Horses...His Woman...But...They Couldn't Take Chino!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Italy Spain France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 September 1973 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Chino

Filming Locations:

Almería, Andalucía, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Produzioni De Laurentiis International Manufacturing Company,Coral Producciones Cinematográficas,Universal Productions France

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to a John Sturges's interview given to French student Emmanuel Laborit in 1990, for his book "John Sturges, stories about a filmmaker" , Sturges said he was unable to direct because he was ill just when they began shooting. Producer De Laurentis called Duilio Coletti to replace him although Sturges did not give his agreement. For that reason, Sturges wanted that his name does not appear on credits but De Larentis thought that for US box-office a western by John Sturges was better.

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Goofs

In the saloon, Chino puts the money on the counter, picks up the drink bottle and goes out. Then the bartender, holding some food in his right hand, takes the money his left and puts it inside his trouser pocket. After he greets the men who come in, the bartender puts his foot on the shelf. Next shot, when Chino passes by him, he is still eating and putting the money inside his shirt pocket.

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Quotes

Chino Valdez: Anyway, a bunch of Indians stole my horses once. I went along and stole them back. And while they was chasing me, I came off my horse and got run over.
Jamie Wagner: Why didn't they kill you?
Chino Valdez: Hell, boy, they was my friends!

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Connections

Referenced in The Big Box: The Ritz (2009)

User Reviews

Not the typical western bloodbath

I watched this movie a few days ago and at the time wasn't overly impressed. However, I find myself still thinking about it and therefore I can't deny it made a lasting impression. This is certainly one of the more unusual westerns you will ever watch and I would add this is definitely one of Bronson's better films. I watched a really bad print of this on VHS and wish I had something better to view this film again. I'm sure I would like it even better second time around.

I think that maybe the real genius in this movie is the way it accurately captured the isolation early pioneers actually encountered in the vastness of the old west. Bronson is a man living alone on a horse ranch and "living" is about it. Unexpectedly he befriends a young drifter and then even more unexpectedly falls in love with a very beautiful woman. Then his life really become complicated. However, all the while, you sort of sense that he expects things to work out wrong because that is just the way life goes for a man like him; someone who learns to mostly just depend on himself and just accept whatever comes as whatever comes. In a way its a sad film...but you have to realize that life out there on the frontier battling the elements, ruthless land barons, and loneliness wasn't exactly a bowl of cherries. The landscape, overcast skies, and the sets do a fabulous job helping create the somber atmosphere that is, in my opinion, the real star of this film. This is a spaghetti western but this time around the various elements of Italian films are brought out in their better light. This is a serious piece of film and worth watching for a number of reasons. It is not an action filled shoot em' up but rather a character study and realistic portrayal of how hard times and hard living were in the tough old west. Nicely photographed too. This movie reminds me of stuff like Will Penny, Tender Mercies, or even Monte Walsh. Not as good as those but pretty close. Yes, there are flaws but its still interesting and unique...and fun to look at I might add.