Review of Valdez Is Coming (1971) by Stuart K — 05 Aug 2013

Directed by Edwin Sherin (TV's Law & Order) and adapted from Elmore Leonard's 1970 novel of the same name. This had potential to be a good revisionist western, but it turns out being dull and lifeless, which is a shame given the pedigree of the cast, and the best-seller it's adapted from.

It's just another western made in Spain, and there were loads of them made around that time, this just has no personality at all. Mexican-American town constable Bob Valdez (Burt Lancaster) is tricked into killing an innocent man by evil rancher Frank Tanner (Jon Cypher), but Valdez wants to get his own back against Tanner, but Tanner sends his men to torture Valdez, by tying him to a wooden cross and have him walk through the desert.

But, he breaks free and walks to the ranch of his friend Diego (Frank Silvera), who helps Valdez recuperate. He plans a revenge, but kidnapping Tanner's woman Gay Erin (Susan Clark) whose husband was inadvertently murdered by Valdez.

Also kidnapped by Valdez is Tanner's hired gun hired gun R.L. Davis (Richard Jordan), but Tanner sends a posse out to stop Valdez. It has a good plot, but non of it seems to gel on screen which is a great shame, as it has so much potential.

Lancaster, usually full of charisma and gravitas, seems bored and brooding throughout the film, this is one Leonard book in need of a new film adaptation.