In one way, I'm amazed that there have been no prior reviews of this incredible film. In another way, I'm just grateful to be able to write the first such review. The film is that awkward gem of cinema, The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez, championed by Edward James Olmos. The story is true, only minimally cleaned up for film, and was the subject of Americo Paredes' book, "With His Pistol in His Hands." The book was, in turn, inspired by the Tejano folk ballad, "El corrido de Gregorio Cortez," which is the musical telling of this awesome tale. If you think my use of adjectives is mere hyperbole, consider that Edward James Olmos believed this story so important, so deserving of telling, that he not only starred as Cortez, he shared in the finances of producing the film, shared in creating original music (yes, Olmos is very musical) for the score, and actually ran the film free of charge in a Los Angeles theater to encourage attendance! I can only say it was worth every bit of it!

This tells of an actual incident, in 1901, involving the tense and unyielding relations between the white residents of Gonzales, Texas, and the inevitable large numbers of Mexicans in this border area. The Mexicans, as usual, are laborers, poorly paid vaqueros (that is where the term "buckaroos" originated, since Americans only approximated Mexican pronunciations) and the ranching equivalent of sharecropping. The Mexicans had little opportunity to learn English, and the Americans chose not to "lower themselves" to learning any more than the minimum Spanish necessary to tell these "lousy greasers" to get to work. One such Mexican family was that of Gregorio Cortez, his wife and children, and his younger brother - all trying to wrench a living from their small South Texas farm.

Enter the dominant White race, in the person of the local Sheriff (who has a reputation for being a 'fast gun') and his loser deputy. A horse has been reported stolen, and as usual in that area, first suspicions automatically turn to the Mexicans. The Sheriff apparently felt his speed with a pistol made it unnecessary to learn any Spanish, which is why this semi-literate loser of a Deputy is present - he claims fluid and proficient command of the Mexicans' native language. His failure was so pronounced that it precipitated one of the all time miscarriages of justice ever known to the Southwest United States.

At the Sheriff's behest, the deputy manages to ask the Cortezes "si tu has trocado un caballo recientemente?" Yes, I speak Spanish, although you don't need to to appreciate this film. The question is "...if you have traded a horse recently?" Not being as fluid or proficient as claimed, the deputy hears Cortez reply, "...no, no caballo. Solo una yegua." The last part of the answer is lost on the deputy, although it is critical to the rest of the story. Translating Cortez's reply as a denial, the Sheriff attempts to arrest Cortez who, in fact, has done nothing wrong. He makes the mistake of telling the deputy, "...no puedes detenerme por nada; eso no sirve porque no me hice nada - escucha, nada!"
"You can't arrest me for nothing, it won't do because I've done nothing - listen, nothing!" What the deputy relays to fast-draw McGraw is "He says you can never arrest him." At that point, the bullets fly, people die, and the chase is on.

All of this because of the Mexican custom of differentiating between "horse" - caballo, and "female horse" or mare - yegua. Gregorio Cortez was telling the truth, and it was misinterpreted by an idiot deputy with the end result that Cortez's brother, the Sheriff, and two more posse idiots died, Cortez's family was shattered, and no real recognition was given (at least at that time) to the inequalities and prejudices working between American and Mexican citizens.

The chase of Gregorio Cortez (el corrido de Gregorio Cortez) led the fabled Texas Rangers and an assortment of bloodthirsty posse riders all over Texas before he was finally captured. The story qualifies in several categories: a tragedy - certainly, an epic saga of man's survival against overwhelming odds - absolutely, and even an occasional moment of humor. The scenery is magnificent, the chase as grueling as any you've ever seen in a Western movie, and the humanity touching enough to draw tears.

There isn't a lot to say about the cast, simply because the film was made in 1982 (that's 24 years ago in case you don't have a calendar handy) and the actors weren't selected for stardom, either extant or potential. They were actors suited to the gritty roles of "last frontier posse" chasing, or the oppressive subjugation of Mexicans who had no voice in society. There were some who went on to become well known, even when they weren't "A-list" stars. Edward James Olmos, who would have preferred to be a professional baseball player, did a turn as an accomplished and successful rock musician before turning to acting. Even then, he can't stay completely away from music (as evidenced in his original music for this film) and starred in the musical Zoot Suit both on stage and on film, and also played Selena's father in the movie of that name. Besides his current popularity as Commander Adama on Battlestar Galactica, he also made a lasting impression as the acclaimed and award winning teacher Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver.

Most of the other actors are best known for their work in TV, with the possible exception of Brion James. James, who died tragically of a heart attack at the relatively early age of 54, was known for his role as Leon Kowalski in Blade Runner, the renegade cop Ben Kehoe in Another 48 Hours, and General Munro in The Fifth Element. An incredibly versatile and accomplished actor, James is ideal as Captain Rogers of the Texas Rangers here. William Sanderson is known to most movie fans, as is Barry Corbin as Cortez's defense attorney, and Pepe Serna as Gregorio's brother who is murdered by the gun happy Sheriff. James Gammon is ideal as the raspy voiced by-the-book Sheriff Frank Fly (not the gun happy one) and widely recognized as Nick Bridges, the dad of TV's Nash Bridges. Bruce McGill plays the reporter from San Antonio who is covering the story, and is probably best known (at least for me) as the judge in Runaway Jury.

The story is simple, emotionally moving, exciting and taut with tension over when Gregorio will be caught, and just generally unforgettable. Olmos was successful in bringing the story to the screen while fairly acknowledging that both the Law and Gregorio himself were at fault. Whether the final outcome was completely fair or not is left up to you, without any bleeding heart pleas for justice. Like it or not, justice was served as well as this tragic misunderstanding and avalanche of misadventures could allow. I absolutely guarantee that this is a movie you will not easily forget. I'm afraid that I also have to admit that you are going to have to work to watch it. It was never released on DVD, and all the VHS casettes are beyond the "new" category. If you were able to find a new casette, it would be worth snapping up regardless of the price - but it isn't going to happen. I had to play a relatively high price to get my used copy, but don't regret a cent of it. Check Amazon, the auctions, etc., and you'll probably find it. I can't order you to look for it and buy it, but if you do - you won't regret it!

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older