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The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez

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The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRobert M. Young
Screenplay by
Based onWith His Pistol in His Hand
by Américo Paredes
Produced by
StarringEdward James Olmos
CinematographyReynaldo Villalobos
Edited by
  • John Bertucci
  • Arthur Coburn
Music by
  • W. Michael Lewis
  • Edward James Olmos
Production
companies
Distributed byEmbassy Pictures
Release dates
  • 1982 (1982) (limited)
  • May 4, 1983 (1983-05-04) (USA Film Festival)
  • August 19, 1983 (1983-08-19) (United States)
Running time
106 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesEnglish
Spanish
Box office$804,963[1]

The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez is a 1982 American Western film directed by Robert M. Young[2] and starring Edward James Olmos as Gregorio Cortez.[3] It is based on the book With His Pistol in His Hand by Americo Paredes.[4]

In 2022, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."[5][6]

Plot

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Set in Belmont-Gonzales, Texas in 1901. After a misunderstanding, a Mexican-American farmer kills a sheriff. He eludes capture and becomes a folk hero. When eventually he is caught, he is tried seven times before finally being released, after twelve years in prison.

Cast

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Reception and legacy

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The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 7.67/10 based on 6 reviews.[7]

Janet Maslin of The New York Times said, "[The film] tells what sounds like a stirring story, and its plainness would seem to be an asset. But something more was needed here, if not in the way of fireworks then maybe just in verisimilitude. The events may be real, and even the settings are authentic; the courthouse in which Mr. Young filmed the trial scene is the one in which Mr. Cortez's trial actually took place. That's not the sort of authenticity that the film lacks. What it's missing is the spark, surprise and immediacy that might have made its principals feel like people, rather than key figures in a well-meaning historical pageant."[4]

Accolades

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Rosanna DeSoto won the Golden Eagle Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film.[8]

Preservation

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The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez was preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2016.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez at Box Office Mojo
  2. ^ The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982) - Finding Director Robert Young - Oscars on YouTube
  3. ^ Criterion Collection
  4. ^ a b Maslin, Janet (October 14, 1983). "Film: 'Gregorio Cortez'". The New York Times. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  5. ^ Carrie, Titicut Follies, Tongues United, Pariah & More Added to National Film Registry|The Film Stage
  6. ^ 2022 National Film Registry Announcement - Library of Congress on YouTube
  7. ^ "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  8. ^ Telgen, Diane (1993). Notable Hispanic American Women. VNR AG. ISBN 9780810375789.page 133
  9. ^ "Preserved Projects". Academy Film Archive.
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