I have always loved Burt Lancaster Movies and I would rate this one as my all time favourite and I have seen almost all his movies.
Valdez is Coming is the story of injustice and how Valdez tries to help the widow of the man he was forced to kill by the local landowner.
Burt Lancaster plays the town constable (Bob Valdez) and as the name suggests he is a Mexican, who also fought for the US cavalry.
Jon Cypher plays Frank Tanner (the Land Owner) who is responsible for an innocent man being gunned down by Valdez . Tanner has accused the man of murdering his lover's husband.
Arriving on the scene, Valdez tries his best to end the standoff peacefully, managing to gain the trust of the holed-up man who directs him to evidence that proves his innocence. But before Valdez can get hold of this evidence and display it to Tanner and the observing townspeople, Tanner's slimiest henchman R.L. Davis(Richard Jordan) interferes, and the resulting violence that breaks out includes Valdez being forced to kill the holed-up gunman who starts firing at him.
Valdez goes to Tanner to ask for money for the widow as compensation and ofcourse is laughed at and made to look a fool. Valdez is not put off and persists in his quest. and this is where the movie gets really violent and bloodier.
I won't reveal what Tanner's men do to Valdez but I have never watched anything so horrific in any western.
Valdez recovers and is not about to give up his quest for the 100$ he wants for the widow. He returns to face Tanner and it results in Valdez kidnapping the lover played by Susan Clark (Gay Erin).
This movie is all about revenge, pride and principles and the lengths a single man will go to when he knows he is in the right.
The movie builds up to a climax with Tanner trying to track down Valdez and recover the release of his Lover.
Not to waste the end of the movie but to say "Mexican Standoff" would describe the ending would be fitting.
This movie was adapted from the Novel by Elmore Leonard, who also wrote Hombre. I can see comparisons with both movies.
It was directed by Edwin Sherin who went on to direct Law and Order for television.
Full Cast
Burt Lancaster ... Valdez Susan Clark ... Gay Erin Frank Silvera ... Diego Jon Cypher ... Frank Tanner Richard Jordan ... R.L. Davis Barton Heyman ... El Segundo
Hector Elizondo ... Mexican Rider Phil Brown ... Malson Ralph Brown ... Beaudry Werner Hasselmann ... Sheriff Lex Monson ... Rincon Roberta Haynes ... Polly Sylvia Poggioli ... Segundo's Girl José García García ... Carlos María Montez ... Anita mor
My overall opinion of this movie is that is just not your run of the mill western but an intriguing view of a mans tenacity and endurance.
You really have to watch this movie twice to appreciate all it's merits.
More details
Soundtrack
Good
How does it compare to others by the same director?
Outstanding
Value for Money
Excellent
What format are you reviewing?
Film only
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