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      The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez

      PG 1983 1h 44m History Drama List
      100% 8 Reviews Tomatometer 71% 250+ Ratings Audience Score After Gregorio Cortez (Edward James Olmos), who speaks no English, is falsely accused of stealing a horse by Texas Rangers, a scuffle breaks out in which Gregorio kills a sheriff and his own brother is shot. Now forced to go on the run, Gregorio has to leave his family and set out alone. Meanwhile, a reporter starts to piece together the story and realizes the incident stemmed from a tragic misunderstanding. Eventually, Gregorio is caught and put on trial for murder. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      S R Given the tv quality of the movie, this one exceeds expectations, but it still doesn't quite make it a classic or exceptional beyond its content. It's an important story to tell, but it could've been better. Saw on TCM. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/10/23 Full Review Jake S This a great movie for fans of westerns. It is historical accurate I'll and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Great to see a Hispanic folk hero brought to life. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/25/23 Full Review j f Great story. Expect Hollywood to remake and ruin this one soon. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/15/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the only movies that truly portrays the Latino struggle in the early west. You will never feel the same about Manifest Destiny... Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member Adapted from the classic book With His Pistol in his Hand, this interesting film relates the life and legendary events that occurred in early 20th century on the Texas border. The film is very well shot, well paced and acted brilliantly by a cast of bigger than life actors characters. I had to read the book and see the film for a study we were supposed to do in class, but I must say , for once it was pretty fun and interesting to compared the two. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member I was so deeply affected by this movie that I made a commitment to become a professional translator. I have done so for the last 25 year in fact. This movie is so real to us who grew up listening to stories of Gregorio and the simple mistake that affected so many. The cinematography is absolutely spectacular as well as the music score. Bravo! Love the movie and would watch it proudly as a Texan and Mexican. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez

      The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1983) The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1983) View more photos

      Critics Reviews

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      Eleanor Ringel Cater Saporta Report (Atlanta) Part “Rashomon,” part Roy Rogers, this wonderful film about miscommunication and miscarriage of justice, set in turn-of-the-century Texas, is based on a true incident. Oct 9, 2023 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Although criminally unseen, due largely to the misdeeds of film distributor Larry Sugar, "The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez" is essential viewing for its innovative storytelling form. Rated: FIVE STARS Apr 17, 2022 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Director and co-scripter Robert M. Young packs his picture with seasoned character actors who add grit rather than glamour. Rated: 3/4 Jun 7, 2021 Full Review Nathanael Hood The Retro Set ...an indie godfather of Chicano cinema... Rated: 8/10 Dec 29, 2018 Full Review PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro An underappreciated classic of the western genre; one that functions as a proto-revisionist piece repositioning one of the stories of the Old West to a Mexican perspective Rated: 4/5 Oct 31, 2018 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com Olmos is devastating as the titular Gregorio Cortez. Rated: 4/5 Sep 7, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis After Gregorio Cortez (Edward James Olmos), who speaks no English, is falsely accused of stealing a horse by Texas Rangers, a scuffle breaks out in which Gregorio kills a sheriff and his own brother is shot. Now forced to go on the run, Gregorio has to leave his family and set out alone. Meanwhile, a reporter starts to piece together the story and realizes the incident stemmed from a tragic misunderstanding. Eventually, Gregorio is caught and put on trial for murder.
      Director
      Robert M. Young
      Production Co
      American Playhouse, Filmhaus, Corporation of Public Broadcasting
      Rating
      PG
      Genre
      History, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Runtime
      1h 44m