Valdez Is Coming

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Valdez Is Coming

PG-13

1971

1h 30m

Western

Drama

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5 Reviews

64%

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1,000+ Ratings

When rancher Frank Tanner (Jon Cypher) hoodwinks local lawman Bob Valdez (Burt Lancaster) into shooting an innocent man, Valdez is remorseful and tries to take up a collection for the widow. Tanner won't hear of it, however, and punishes Valdez by driving him into the desert with a cross strapped to his back. Valdez is freed by one of Tanner's henchmen (Richard Jordan) and, after convalescing, begins waging a one-man war against Tanner, picking off his men with his trusty Sharps rifle.

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Margaret Hinxman

Daily Telegraph (UK)

The luck of Valdez, though, is in having Burt Lancaster to play him: an actor whose self-contained neatness of style belies the flamboyance of his appearance. He belongs to a dying breed: a real star.

Jun 2, 2020

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Stefan Kanfer

TIME Magazine

[Valdez] Is Coming offers little besides its star.

Feb 8, 2018

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

[Burt Lancaster] brings sure-footed authority and calm ruthlessness to a mission of justice by a man wronged one too many times.

Apr 29, 2025

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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Of course, the film's questionable casting, which features Burt Lancaster as a Mexican-American lawman who takes it upon himself to right the wrongs of a callous, greedy rancher, is enough to disregard the film in its entirety.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 27, 2020

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Exciting formulaic revenge Western.

Rated: B-

Nov 22, 2005

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Peter H

Great acting by Lancaster, kind of a dumb plot, they sure didn't know how to make westerns then

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/15/25

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Nik75 J

A decent revenge western that's held together by Burt Lancaster and his obvious star power.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/24

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Jeremy D

Better than any Clint Eastwood western.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/16/23

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Audience Member

Good western hair will recommend it James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas, August 4, 2023

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/04/23

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Steve D

Solid revenge flick with a strong script.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/23/23

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Audience Member

He is coming....for them. One of many 1970s action westerners. Starring the late Burt Lancaster and co-starring Susan Clark. Based on the book by Elmore Leonard and directed by Edwin Sherin. Lancaster is Valdez the local lawman. Frank Tanner pulls him into accidentally gunning down an innocent man. Feeling guilty he wants to take up a collection for the man's wife. But Tanner isn't having it and takes Valdez to the desert nearly crucifying him. Once he's set free by one of Tanner's helpers Valdez wages an all-out war on the man picking his goons off each bit by bit. But he has a trump card taking the widow and using her as bait. This is another revisionist westerner that's old school. Fun gun fights, a nice ol fashioned revenge plot, and Lancaster sells the picture. The ending is a bit unclear considering how it just leaves things but I guess they do avoid the standard cookie cutter resolution. Formulaic but still an exciting entry in this large genre.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Edwin Sherin

Director

Burt Lancaster

Valdez

Susan Clark

Gay Erin

Jon Cypher

Frank Tanner

Barton Heyman

El Segundo

Richard Jordan

R.L. Davis

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Synopsis

When rancher Frank Tanner (Jon Cypher) hoodwinks local lawman Bob Valdez (Burt Lancaster) into shooting an innocent man, Valdez is remorseful and tries to take up a collection for the widow. Tanner won't hear of it, however, and punishes Valdez by driving him into the desert with a cross strapped to his back. Valdez is freed by one of Tanner's henchmen (Richard Jordan) and, after convalescing, begins waging a one-man war against Tanner, picking off his men with his trusty Sharps rifle.

Director: Edwin Sherin
Producer: Ira Steiner
Screenwriter: Roland Kibbee, David Rayfiel
Production Co: Ira Steiner Productions, Polyphony Digital, Norlan Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Western, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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