just watch it!

An action-packed slog

A Brilliant Conflict

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

A mediocre film like "Joe Kidd" should have been offered or served up for the likes of John Wayne, seeing as his own career was pottering along toward its own conclusion. As such, it falls to Clint Eastwood to try and salvage something from a film which has little plot to speak of and is difficult to keep up with most of the time. A running time of 84 minutes tends to feel something resembling an eternity in this case.......... At least we have an interesting supporting cast on hand to offer slim compensation. That aggressive, short baldie Robert Duvall makes for an effective villain (he's always had one of those faces I want to slap). John Saxon as one of the aggrieved Mexicans in the story, is ok and at least looks as though he could pass himself off as being a Mexican for some of the time. His actual screen time is limited but he isn't missing much! Clint Eastwood looked more like an overgrown version of Stan Laurel at the film's beginning. I kept expecting the other one to turn up at any time! Eventually, Eastwood changes his attire so that he resembles a gunslinger. The last 15 minutes or so suddenly perk "Joe Kidd" to some kind of interest, via some good bits of action. John Sturgess directed far better films than this, what a damn waste of his time!

I have the theory that every hospital, airline, hotel, or other "institution" that offers free cable/movies has this one on a perpetually showing schedule. I can't begin to think how many times I've seen it. But I must admit it has its merits of sorts.Probably this mixed reaction that I (and many other reviewers) have for the movie is due to feeling that it **does** have merits but they just never amount to all that much. I suspect the strengths are due to two main things: The basic story by Elmore Leonard where some of his tough-guy language and character interactions managed to filter through into the final product and the cast, especially Eastwood and Duvall who act like the Pros they are in consistently professional performances. The supporting cast is also very good.But the whole flow of the movie leaves much to be desired. It is more a series of vignettes designed to showcase the cast than really to advance a credible or intriguing plot. There are a number of snappy interactions among the principles and various supporting cast members that are quite good. Trouble is, they leave you feeling you just were set-up to see a whole scene unfold just to spring the "zinger" and then what? Move on to the next scenario I suppose.Some other reviewer likened the flick to a TV movie and I'd agree. And no doubt, I'll be watching it again soon be it in this hotel room or that hospital bed or airline seat. It's that kind of a movie.

It must have been cold during the location shooting. Much of it was shot at Alabama Hills, known better as "Movie Flats," in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada. That's Mount Whitney in the background. It may be recognized as the location for "Gunga Din" in 1939 and for innumerable Randolph Scott Westerns of the 1950s.Here's the story. Clintwood is Joe Kidd, a man who knows his way around the New Mexico territory. A rebellious Mexican named Chama, John Saxon, offends Eastwood, so Eastwood hires out as a guide and gunman to Robert Duvall, who is anxious to go up into the mountains and murder Chama and his gang of rebels. Duvall is bothered by Saxon's claim to some property, the claim dating back to the original Spanish land grants.But this character, Duvall, is really a heartless bastard. When they reach Saxon's village in the hills, Saxon and his gang have taken refuge in the surrounding mountains and Duvall sends him a message that unless he gives himself up (ie., allows himself to be murdered), Duvall and his slimy gang of cutthroats will kill five villagers at certain intervals.Clintwood finally realizes which is the just side and switches over to support Saxon, but not before Duvall, having used Eastwood as a guide and no longer needing him, says brusquely, "Kidd, you're fired. Lock him up." On their side, Duvall and his goon gang have advanced weapons -- a long-range telescopic rifle and a Mauser automatic pistol. On their side, Saxon's proud sons of the earth have only justice. In this case, justice wins, confounding Napoleon.The plot is involving enough to keep your interest, as it often is in these recent Westerns? How can Eastwood possibly save himself and Saxon? And the locations are colorful enough. It was directed by John Sturges, whose work usually has a bit of style that's lacking here. Part of that is due to the acting. Eastwood is Eastwood, but there's a good deal of variation in the rest of the cast. Duvall is great as the cold-blooded killer. Saxon isn't bad. He certainly LOOKS Mexican, although he's Italian-American. His loyal "girl" is terrible. She sounds like she just graduated from Cal State Northridge. And most of Duvall's gang is stereotyped; they look as brutal as they act.Interesting inflections on the phonemes in Saxon's name. He pronounces it as it's pronounced in Spanish: "Tchama." Eastwood and "the girl" say "Shama," and Duvall throws it all away with "Shayma."

Written by famous writer Elmore Leonard (RIP) this is a decent western with Clint Eastwood. His fans should be happy - he's badass as always . You can't hurt him and you can't outsmart him. In this one he doesn't play unnamed stranger . His Joe Kidd is an ex-bounty hunter caught in the war about property. The villain is played by Robert Duvall. It's a fine performance. Lalo Schiffrin , famous for "Mission impossible theme" , gives this movie some really cool music. There is some nice dialogue here. The movie isn't boring , because it's short (not even full 1hour and half) and well paced. There is some action and two memorable scenes - with the train and the pot of stew.Overall , it's nothing spectacular . If you're a fan of Eastwood or westerns you probably will be happy . The rest might skip this one. I give it 6/10.