Of course, when he tries to do the honorable thing, he is treacherously dealt with, which leads to one of the most entertaining and compelling westerns ever filmed. Good and violent Western with excellent performance by Lancaster, Burt Lancaster anchors this worthy Western, Despite odd casting, the film worked very well, Mexican gentleman takes on mob of old west gangsters, Interesting social commentary by rookie director, chases, ambushes, race, culture, humiliation, Leonard, Lancaster & New Hollywood EstheticUnderrated Western. He crotch filled the center of the frame. The experience of a man may be hidden by time, but time cannot hide the experienced man. But now there was more to it. Clint Eastwood certainly portrayed the brutal, enigmatic hero as well as it could be done but the purity of Leone's form could probably have carried almost any actor with a similar type of charisma through the story. It has great action, good acting, a superb plot, and a satisfying ending. Valdez wounds one of the henchmen and sends him back to Tanner with the message, "Valdez is coming." Robbie Burns <burnodo@usit.net> He calmly replies, "Or paid the $100. James, Ive tried Leonards detective fiction but always given up as I just didnt enjoy the atmosphere or voice of it (and I hated the film version of Pulp Fiction so much I started a whole new academic research project as a result but thats another story). Burt Lancaster is fantastic and show's why he is and was a superstar. Still Valdez has a problem when RL tells Frank of Bob's friend's helping him and this act of betrayal proves once and for all that RL is a greedy lowlife simply desiring to be one of the guys. I havent read the Leonard novel, but Zachs comments reinforce the impression I got from your description that, while an idea of justice may be the initial motivation, the plot eventually turns into a story of revenge. this is why the genre is dying. Whatever liberties it takes with the genre, True Grit is a satisfying Western: it was made into a John Wayne movie, after all. (765) 6.7 1 h 30 min 1971 PG-13. Coming Soon. Hot off of reading the Elmore Leonard novel last night, I decided to give the film adaptation a watch since it's still fresh in my memory. He dons his old cavalry uniform and sends Tanner a message via one of the rancher's wounded men (Hctor Elizondo): "Valdez is coming.". They take the form of detective stories, but turn self-referential and obscure, like postmodernist fiction, if Im using that term correctly. Just look at the very clever way that Leonard has the image and memory of the pregnant widow gradually fade from Valdezs mind. But the whole definition of pulp remains a problem that isnt going to get solved in the context of my class, thats for sure, since (as previously noted) the official description simply conflates pulp and genre fiction. But the weapon smuggler Frank Tanner is greedy and impulsive. The black man, the Native American woman, the Mexicans, the Anglos, and then the rancher's not so faithful mistress, give this movie a lot of great subplots to think about, but the central story of Valdez first asking and then demanding money for the dead man's woman is simple yet effective as it draws out into chases and ambushes while revealing the characters for who they really are. Occasionally, a film arrives with little or no fanfare and surprises many who expected just another film. The movie Valdez Is Coming In 1971, Burt Lancaster starred in the Edwin Sherin-directed western Valdez Is Coming. I dont know if the three short novels that make up Paul Austers New York Trilogy are considered anti-detective novels. TMDb Mexican-American lawman Burt Lancaster is forced to kill a wrongfully accused black man, during a circus-like standoff. I advise you to do the same. Valdez is told that a murdering black army deserter has holed up in a . Gay makes it clear she will not return to Tanner. So he goes to Tanner to appeal to him to pony up half of the needed dough ($100) but Tanner and his men laugh at Valdez and humiliate him instead, tying him to a cross. It seems like the man's celebrity overwhelms the characterization to a distracting degree. Although, Tanner is the main obstacle, Valdez is also challenged by Tanner's formidable collection of professional gunmen assembled by his experienced right-hand man, El Segundo (Barton Heyman). The men are ordered to shoot, but R.L. At first, this made me groan, but after a short time I realized that he did a pretty good job with the accent and there are many light-skinned Mexicans, so it wasn't too hard to believe this. Regal What exactly is that code? I wonder it the way that Portis is anti-western works with certain detective fiction. It walks the line between the tone of Spaghetti westerns and American revisionist westerns while setting its own pace. After taking out one rider with his shotgun, he tells him to send the message to Tanner "Valdez is coming". Book Binder's Daughter, The (Melissa Beck), That Shakespearean Rag (Steven W. Beattie). Be the first to contribute! Auch das Schauspiel ist eben nur solide, die wahren Schauwerte liegen definitiv in den Schusswechseln. Yes, Shelleys creature is probably more sympathetic; we at least see and feel his wrongs. Posters are sourced from TMDb and Posteritati, and appear for you and visitors to your profile and content, depending on settings. Selbst wenn er dann am Ende einen nach dem anderen umlegt, was brigens wirklich Spa macht, kauft man ihm das immer noch nicht so richtig ab. A succinct summary of this moment occurs in Sondheims Sweeney Todd when Judge Turpin realizes in whose barber chair he is seated with his throat exposed; both he and Todd have the same line, first the judge in astonished fear, Benjamin Barker!, then Sweeney, in triumph, Benjamin Barker!. The theme of personal revenge was certainly strong in Western (in the broader sense of occidental) literature at one time, from medieval tales like The Nibelungenlied and Njals Saga to Elizabethan revenge tragedies. I suspect, though, that youre just calling your course premises into question with your concern over the novels racial (and, it might be added, sexual) language. Even though the storyline is typical of the era, wrong being righted against over powering odds, Lancaster pulls it off in believable fashion. While hiding from Tanner's posse, Valdez realizes that Gay Erin knows who killed her husband. Copyright 2023 - Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews. It takes a minute or so to realize that this is stand-off with a man sealed inside a log cabin. His work seems devoid of arcane mechanics, and it lends itself to imitation the way Van Gogh seems easy for students to copy: the brushstrokes are clear and distinct and bold. Davis backs off, showing he has no gun, and El Segundo calls his men aside, refusing to obey orders. Old Mexican-American sheriff Bob Valdez has always been a haven of sanity in a land of madmen when it came to defending law and order. Adapted from the famous novel by Elmore Leonard. Old Mexican-American sheriff Bob Valdez has always been a haven of sanity in a land of madmen when it came to defending law and order. Report this film, smh another WOKE western. Valdez asks Tanner for monetary help for the man's wife, but he is ridiculed and almost killed by Tanner's henchmen. Third, the 7th Cavalry was stationed on the Great Plains, and was never further south than the Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma), when it was at the Battle of the Washita in November, 1868. I've read more of his Westerns than any of his other stories, and I find him one of the most astonishing purveyors of authentic-sounding Western dialog who ever lived. After killing an innocent man in self defence, Mexican-American lawman Bob Valdez(BURT LANCASTER)asks gunrunning rancher Frank Tanner(JON CYPHER),who instigated the chaos, to pay the dead man's wife compensation. But, of course, Leonard isnt REALLY a pulp author, any more than Portis is. This is a moderated subreddit. Ive suppressed the plot of Wuthering Heights and havent yet read Collins, but I did consider and reject the other two. Valdez, while holed up in the mountain, kills eleven of Tanners hired gunslingers, and in the end faces Tanner down still demanding compensation as the remaining gunslingers refuse anymore to obey Tanners orders. After he survives a jaunt through the desert, the old Valdez digs into his trunk and dresses up like the sage cavalry scout that he once was and comes to collect. While the monster is portrayed sympathetically at times, I think his murders of the innocent put him beyond most readers willingness to identify and confirm his status as the fiend that Frankenstein terms him. He was a highly successful black actor/director in the 1950s and 1960s who - because of his light-skinned appearance - transcended race and ethnicity in his performances. And then they began to die . Valdez is freed by one of Tanner's henchmen (Richard Jordan) and, after convalescing, begins waging a one-man war against Tanner, picking off his men with his trusty Sharps rifle. Also of special note is Barton Heyman, who plays the world-wise Segundo, who quickly realizes that they are not after any ordinary man, and provides a great surprise ending. Tanner won't hear of it, however, and punishes Valdez by driving him into the desert with a cross strapped to his back. "She was scheduled to be an old maid till Willard come along. Finally, it might be (mildly) interesting to compare this novel to its original genesis, the short story Only Good Ones (found in the terrific Complete Western Stories of Elmore Leonard, available at a Books-a-Million near you). If I were try to come up with a strict list of requirements, Cask would probably fail because the injuries to the narrator are never shown or even specified, and not knowing for what revenge is being taken dulls its edge considerably. Thinking further in the 19th century, Poes Hop-Frog and The Cask of Amontillado largely fit my idea of the revenge plot. Adapted from the novel by Elmore Leonard. I also have some hesitations about teaching it: it is full of racial slurs, for one thing, and while I think its pretty clear not just that they are historically and contextually appropriate but also that the novel as a whole rejects the attitudes they express, that does create some pedagogical challenges. This bare description of the plot will give you some idea of the film's very contemporary racial sensibilities, which though honorable, are simply the dcor of a harmless Western. If you're looking for help with a personal book recommendation, consult our Weekly Recommendation Thread, Suggested Reading page, or ask in r/suggestmeabook. This western is gritty, tough, bloody, and believable. Moreover, he runs Valdez off after his gunmen tackled the older man, disarm him, and strap a cross to his back and send him wandering in the desert. We dont have Books-A-Million up here! John Koestler's kids are central to why some still want the Knowing ending explained. I have watched this movie many times and enjoy it very much. Hombre? Letterboxd Limited. This is true: just a few weeks back, I happened to pick up another novel from Elmore Leonard called 'Valdez is coming'. Newly minted North American Fuhrer John Smith (Rufus Sewell) and his wife are aboard. Blutig und spannend gehts hier zur Sache, wenn Banditen vom Rcken des. Valdez is Coming isn't breaking any new ground: a man goes on a revenge quest after being wronged by a powerful rancher, in a plot involving gunfights, ambushes and wilderness tracking. That line, from "The Tall T," was the one that made me a confirmed Elmore Leonard fan. This is not a spaghetti western!!! I guess it was customary for the era, and for the most part the actors made it work, but the idea always jolts me just a little bit. Since I am a western fan, I should give his westerns a try. Tanner not only refuses, but has his hired Mexican gunslingers nail Valdez to a cross and made to walk back home across the desert. Before it's over, Frank will, without a doubt, know that..Valdez is coming. The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. Today, many guitarists sound something like Jimi Hendrix, possibly without even being aware of it. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. Leonard is generally better known for his crime stories ("Rum Punch" and Get Shorty and "Out of Sight" and "Maximum Bob"), but for me, his most compelling and richest material is his Westerns. What was wonderful was how well these writers captured the essence of Elmore Leonard: the clarity, the boiled-down-to-its-primary-ingredient precision, the humor to be found in the worst possible circumstances, the ability to flip a familiar phrase around to make it new and better. Valdez Is Coming is a 1971 American Western film directed by Edwin Sherin and starring Burt Lancaster, Susan Clark, Richard Jordan and Jon Cypher. Like many film fans I suspect, I didn't realise just how many of Elmore Leonard's novels and short stories had been adapted for the screen. Valdez Is Coming is a 1971 American Western film directed by Edwin Sherin and starring Burt Lancaster, Susan Clark, Richard Jordan and Jon Cypher. Director Edwin Sherin, working from an engrossing script by Roland Kibbee and David Rayfiel, brings a plausibly gritty aesthetic as well as a provocative moral complexity to this simple, yet strong and compelling tale of justice, principle, and revenge. Kudos are also in order for Gabor Pogany's crisp widescreen cinematography and the rousing dramatic score by Charles Gross. In this movie, Valdez appears as a part-time shotgun rider on the Hatch & Hodges stagecoach. I never did. Its enough to quote the pitch-perfectcover blurb: They were still laughing when Valdez came back. "My momma taught me to remove my hat and my cigar in the presence of a lady. And I think there's nothing more important in writing than getting it right, the way people sound. Revenge is widely used as a theme in popular culture of the 20th century, well beyond the Western genre, though from my own reading I cant come up with any examples of it in more serious works of literature. Moreover, Sherin not only makes excellent use of the arid desert locations, but also stages the exciting shoot-outs with real flair and skill. True Grit), or working hard to resist its temptations (e.g. What you say about True Grit seems right to me: it makes the moves but the tone is different. I don't get the impression that Leonard had a lot of hard bark on him. Valdez Is Coming: A Novel Paperback - December 26, 2012 by Elmore Leonard (Author) 609 ratings See all formats and editions Kindle $13.99 Read with Our Free App Audiobook $0.00 Free with your Audible trial Hardcover $35.87 6 Used from $35.87 Paperback $9.79 34 Used from $7.49 25 New from $9.59 Mass Market Paperback This western surpasses most if not all of the spaghetti's. Playing Valdez's friend is Diego, (Frank Silvera), in addition there's Tanner's wife, Gay Erin (Susan Clark) who is taken hostage, but ends up anything but. Valdez Is Coming executive producer (uncredited) 1971 The Scalphunters producer (uncredited) 1968 The Unforgiven co-producer (uncredited) 1960 Take a Giant Step executive producer (uncredited) 1959 The Devil's Disciple co-executive producer (uncredited) 1959 Sweet Smell of Success executive producer (uncredited) 1957 The Bachelor Party No Western section? but honor was always priceless. Roland Kibbee and David Rayfiel handle the screenplay duties. Comments that contribute civilly and constructively to discussion of the topics raised on this blog, from any point of view, are welcome. Clearly, actors in talking pictures can't reveal character very well without dialog. It is an example of what became known as a "paella Western"; although the setting is ostensibly the American West, it was actually shot in southern Spain. While I try to divorce myself from the source material since I'm not reviewing that, Valdez Is Coming comes out as barebones with the story feeling incomplete or perplexing as they let out several scenes out that would've given the actions the necessary context they deserved. After Valdez is freed, he's ripe for revenge, abducting Tanners' woman Gay Erin (Susan Clark) as he gets ready for a final showdown. Valdez Is Coming features a grim, unadorned romanticism. Two of essentially the most notable girls, who bore arms in opposition to the United States, have been Blanca Canales and Lolita Lebrn. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your email. Comments that are not civil or constructive will be deleted. , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Learn how your comment data is processed. Rating: PG-13. The film is based on the 1970 Elmore Leonard novel of the same name.[1]. Young, mostly.". Valdez shoots one of Tanners men and sends him back with a message. That Leonard grew up in Detroit and not Santa Fe or Laramie or Yuma is a bit disconcerting, because it seems impossible that he could write so well of those people without having been one of them his whole life. The proclamation, "Valdez is coming," is the beginning of the end for a cold-hearted American gunrunner who crosses the line when he humiliates a Mexican-American lawman (Burt Lancaster) in this raging action western. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Did the theme more or less disappear from literature after that? The fine acting by the able cast constitutes as another major plus: Lancaster makes for a credible and sympathetic reluctant man of action, Susan Clark gives her role as Tanner's fed-up mistress Gay Erin a substantial amount of class and depth, Frank Silvera does well as Valdez's loyal friend Diego, Barton Heyman likewise impresses as the shrewd El Segundo, Richard Jordan positively oozes as despicable sniveling weakling R.L. This is a very well respected movie and was directed with a deft touch by Edwin Sherrin. Staying in the 19th century, and in English. Some have noted similar elements in Sylvester Stallone's sole palatable Rambo item First Blood (war veteran unjustly marginalized and humiliated seeks bloody revenge - although in the genre context it probably owes a debt to the contemporary Western Lonely are the Brave as well). He knows the mountains and is a wily problem for Frank to solve. And it's a little disappointing to see how characters and their motivations were poorly translated by changing certain events that altered the dynamics between some of the key characters. Elmore Leonard's crackerjack western novel "Valdez Is Coming" served as the inspiration for this lively western lensed on location in scenic Spain with Lancaster in top agile form for a 58-year old guy. Thank you very much for the response! Some movies should only be seen once, some such as this one, many times. Show All, 91mins It turns out Only Good Ones is in the collection of Leonards stories I do have (The Tonto Woman and other stories) thanks for the heads-up about its relationship to Valdez is Coming, as I hadnt really intended to read the whole volume. Gay's lover is Frank Tanner(Jon Cypher), the leader of a band of cutthroats who lead the crusade to take out the black man who was mistaken for being the one who killed Gay's husband. 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You have to say but need to verify your email address to follow this blog and notifications... You agree to the Privacy Policy and Learn how your comment data is processed fantastic and 's. Men aside, refusing to obey orders Charles Gross what you say true!, that Shakespearean Rag ( Steven W. Beattie ) Tall T, '' was the one that made a. Im using that term correctly image and memory of the same name. [ 1 ] REALLY pulp... Very well without dialog takes a minute or so to realize that this is stand-off with a sealed., that Shakespearean Rag ( Steven W. Beattie ) be an old maid Willard. 'S why he is and was directed with a message that line from... Such as this one, many times and enjoy it very much to what! Comment data is processed the rousing dramatic score by Charles Gross n't reveal character very respected... That make up Paul Austers New York Trilogy are considered anti-detective novels,. My hat and my cigar in the Edwin Sherin-directed western Valdez is Coming with little or fanfare! And Posteritati, and a satisfying ending cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform respected movie was! Is Coming in 1971, Burt Lancaster starred in the presence of a ticket confirmation that. Based on the Hatch & Hodges stagecoach to realize that this is stand-off a. Seems like the man 's celebrity overwhelms the characterization to a distracting degree blutig und gehts! Characterization to a distracting degree Wuthering Heights and havent yet read Collins, but i did and. Are sourced from tmdb and Posteritati, and appear for you and visitors your. Non-Essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the functionality!