Valdez Is Coming (1971)

Watching Valdez Is Coming During The Pandemic

This 1971 film, "Valdez is Coming" is based on Elmore Leonard's 1970 novel of the same name. Leonard's novel is included in a compilation of four of his westerns published by the Library of America. I wanted to see this film because of my interest in both Leonard and westerns.

The film is set in the Arizona territory in the 1880s and stars Burt Lancaster in the role of Bob Valdez, an aging constable of Mexican descent. Discrimination against Mexican Americans and African Americans are important themes in this film, but these themes are soon overtaken by a violent story of revenge.

The film involves the killing of an African American man falsely accused of murder. After his killing, Valdez tries to collect $200 to help the man's pregnant Apache wife. He seeks $100 from a wealthy and corrupt rancher, Frank Tanner (Jon Cypher), but Tanner responds brutally, sending Valdez away tied to a cross. There is no quit in Valdez. He returns to Tanner's ranch,after issuing a dark warning "Valdez is coming!" kidnaps Tanner's mistress, the wife of the man the African American was accused as killing, and holds her hostage for the payment of the $100. When Tanner's men pursue, violence and blood-letting follow as Valdez armed with a powerful Sharps rifle and with his experience fighting Apache years earlier, kills eleven of Tanner's men. The movie works to a surprise ending, as does Leonard's novel.

The film was shot in Spain but the scenery is realistic for the West. Lancaster is convincing in the role of Valdez. The film is dominated by the quest for revenge and by violence to an extent that the original tragic even setting the story in motion is almost forgotten. Still, the film held my attention, had dramatic tension, and was entertaining.

I enjoyed seeing this film and its interpretation of an Elmore Leonard novel that I admire during our current stay at home time.

Robin Friedman