Absolutely brilliant

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

(mild spoilers)This isn't as bad as its critical reputation, but it isn't very good either. In fact, it's pretty much "not enough one thing or another" in every department-an attempt at a sort of hip new antihero western that nonetheless isn't at all sufficiently committed to that path, as it's far too old-school in execution. The score is a big, traditional, old-fashioned one (despite the odd, gratuitous sitar flourish); the whole look is very much trad Hollywood-studio western (presumably the establishment crew and resources were foisted on director Sergio Narizzano, then hot from the British New Wave hit "Georgy Girl"); the casting conventional apart from Terence Stamp. The latter may indeed be miscast to a degree-yes, his English accent carelessly slips through a lot-but at least he does provide a certain moody outsider coolness that Robert Redford (who dropped out at the last minute) wouldn't have channeled so easily. The racial tolerance theme is "modern," yet the script chickens out by having Blue-who was raised by the Mexican bandidos who killed his Yankee parents-yearn to be "tamed" and "civilized" by the white folk who've taken him in after he's wounded, thus reinforcing all cultural stereotypes. Nor is it credible that the settlers who are suspicious of Blue would so easily accept his command later on when they're under threat. Or indeed that Blue would command forces against his "own people"-it's one thing to reject his Mexican background, another to lead a massacre of those people. Blue gets an eve-of-battle speech trying to explain his contrary psychological makeup, but it's too little, too late. This is a handsomely photographed film with a lot of nice scenery in vivid color, and the climactic shootout is effective enough. But coming out the same year as "Butch Cassidy" and other truly revisionist westerns that embraced a fresher style and sensibility, "Blue" must have felt old-hat in 1968. And it's still a disappointing mediocrity.

Maimed by melodrama yet iconic in imagery. Strange and evocative. With Brit, Terence Stamp playing "Blue" or "Azule" depending on which side of the American/ Mexican border you're on, the film surprises and I find myself watching it again. Certain scenes register effectively and haunt such as Azule's impromptu execution of a captain. Mounted on his steed, Azule simply scoops up the officer, performs the deed and follows with a ritual of circling the victim after words. The poignant ruthlessness of this act silences even hardened men. Stamp does this with such ease and 'style' that it leaves an impression that continues to shock. All humour stops in that instant. There is something iconic here that traumatizes and replays itself - leaving a silent and remote character that is truly formidable. The others fear him and Stamp's gun play is impressive, especially in it's relish. Conflict and violence give him pleasure and the action is good. Cultures collide and this results in the film's indelible imagery. The look of the ragtag bandit bunch contrasts well with the Sunday best of the homesteaders who inhabit this film. The hunt and chase scene through cornfields is quiet vivid, realistic and leaves a crisp impression. Great photography throughout. The fabulous stunt riding that belies the wild flamboyance and daring of these bandits is very apt indeed. So well done and enjoyable to watch. Crazy good. Azule's apparent transformation to gentleman is fun as the mystery man charms the ladies at an evening social and caps a challenge from his antagonist with a classic line - "I'm tired Mr. Parker...particularly of you" before retiring. A class act. However,there is rage within.This film's budget should have demanded more accent coaching for Mr. Stamp but his performance is still appealing. Stamp seems to use any awkwardness to dramatic effect and to his advantage proving he is one terrific actor. Joanna Pettet although truly beautiful is lacking. Maybe she lacked that femme fatal or something to warrant betrayal and the tragedy which follows.A tale of loyalty, love and betrayal by an already torn man. Well worth watching over despite it's defects and the action is good.

Although it has been castigated by the critics, this movie still has a lot going for it and is definitely worth seeing. Given a big budget for its time, it has outstanding photography, beautiful scenic vistas, a very good music score and great stunt work by the legendary Yakima Cannutt. It also has Terence Stamp, who is always worth watching, no matter what he does (if we skip Priscilla, Queen of the Desert). Yes, it is not hard to tell that he is an Englishman playing an American raised by Mexicans, but his lines are few and far between, and who cares anyway? If we can have Englishmen and Australians playing Roman gladiators without critical comment, let's give this one a break. I admit that, although the plot line intended to contrast a violent past with the power of love, a complete lack of tenderness in the love scenes was laughable. But overall, this movie beats most of John Wayne's westerns by a mile.

As a long-time Terence Stamp fan, I finally was able to rent this video after a long search. I don't care if Terence's cockney accent slipped through now and then. It didn't distract me from watching his beautiful performance as Azul/Blue, who finds it difficult to fit into either world: the Mexican world to which he belonged after his parents were killed and he was found by the "bandit" Ortega, or the world of the "gringo" from which he came. There was some residual "Billy Budd" quality in this film which may have been unintended on Stamp's part. It was a delight to see Stamp in this role -he is such a natural. The ending was somewhat enigmatic, but the filming of the last scenes in the river were beautiful, believable, and tragic.