VALDEZ, EL MEZZOSANGUE (THE VALDEZ HORSES)

Italy, 1973, 98 minutes, Colour.
Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland, Vincent van Patten, Marcel Bozzuffi.
Directed by John Sturges and Duilio Coletti.

The Valdez Horses is a pleasant western. It focuses on Charles Bronson as a loner, the half-breed of the title, not welcome in either of his ancestral communities. He works with horses, but encounters a young man, played by Vincent van Patten, and after being wary of each other, he teaches and trains him in working with horses.

Bronson was emerging as a top star at this time. He was to make Death Wish a year later. He made many westerns, including a number with director Michael Winner (Chato’s Land). He is joined in this film by his wife Jill Ireland. The villain is Italian, French actor Marcel Bozzuffi (The French Connection).

The film was directed by John Sturges, veteran of many Hollywood films and some blockbusters in the 1960s including The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape. The film was written by writer Clair Huffaker, a veteran of many westerns including Posse from Hell, Flaming Star, The Comancheros, The War Wagon, One Hundred Rifles, The Deserter.

1. Was this an enjoyable western? Did it fulfil western expectations? What do audiences ordinarily expect from a western?

2. How conventional was this film? Which conventions of the western did it use? How well? What was most impressive about the film?

3. How interesting was its portrayal of the settling of the west? The stability of white men and Indians, the ranchers and the horse breeding? The picture of a hero and his aloneness, the boy and that convention, the expected villain? Were these all integratef into a good plot and entertaining treatment?

4. The value of the location photography, the settings, the portrayal of the horses and the action with the horses?

5. Was Valdez an interesting character? Charles Bronson's style, Valdez as a man, his past, his living alone, loneliness, skill in his work? The effect of Jamie on him? His enjoyment of companion¬ship and teaching the young man his skills? The contrast and conflict with *.aral? His falling in love with Louise and the effect on his life? The subsequent conflicts, his standing his ground, his suffering, especially the whipping? Valdez and his friendship with the Indians? Jamie’s ability to take him to the Indians for healing? The nature of his confrontation with maral and his men? His disappointment in the destruction of the horses? why did he move out and move on? Was this the expected behaviour of a hero?

6. How interesting was the portrayal of Jamie? Seeing him first as a wanderer, his fears of Valdez, growing to like him, appreciating the work and achieve¬ment, growing up? his saving of Valdez? His disappointment in the prospect of his marriage? His participation with Valdez in the confrontation of the villains? His having to move on? Did the film give an interesting portrayal of a young man growing up in the American West? Would he grow up to be a Valdez?

7. Conventional villain in March, rich, arrogant, the class clash with Valdez, the protection of his sister and denying her her freedom?

8. Louise: a credible heroine: her fascination with Valdez, the horses and her riding, the importance of her marriage and her being left in the Church?

9. How interesting was the portrayal of friendly relations with the Indians?

10.Was this a minor Western? An enjoyable one? A western of value?