Valdez, il mezzosangue (1973)

Directors:

John Sturges
Duilio Coletti

Writers:

Lee Hoffman (novel)
Clair Huffaker (screenplay)

Release Date:

February 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Tagline:

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

Plot:

Chino Valdez is a loner horse breeder living in the old west. Partly a loner by choice, and partly because...

Plot Keywords:

Horse | Half Breed | Whipping | Bare Chested Male | Hung By Wrists

Cast

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

Also Known As:

Chino (France) (USA)
Caballos salvajes (Spain)
The Valdez Horses
Valdez the Halfbreed (UK)
Wild Horses

Runtime:

98 min | Spain:100 min | USA:97 min

Country:

Italy | Spain | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | West Germany:16 (f) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | USA:PG | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Almería, Andalucía, Spain

Company:

Produzioni De Laurentiis International Manufacturing Company

Goofs:

Continuity: 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.

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!

A Good Western

I agree that the change of directors caused a change in quality of the film, but all in all this is one of my favorite westerns. It is thought provoking and realistic. Bronson's acting comes off as natural and he understood who Chino was. His relationship with the young boy seems odd, but not forced. The scenes with Jill Ireland are amusing and show the difference in culture between Europe and the old west. Filmed in Europe, there are a few quirks that sort of make you laugh, the Native Americans and the town seem a little hokey, but the film remains enjoyable. The ending bothered me, but thats what made this a good film. I reccommend this to anyone who wants to sit and relax to a good western.