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List Price: $12.98 | | Label: Universal Studios
Salesrank: 16504
Released: August 18, 1998 |
| Our Price: $7.72 |
| Used Price: $3.95 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
THE STORY OF A LAND WAR BETWEEN MEXICAN NATIVES AND AMERICANLAND BARONS.
Description of Joe Kidd:
Clint Eastwood's stardom was supernova, thanks to Dirty Harry; John Sturges, the man behind The Magnificent Seven and a dozen other memorably leathery Westerns, was directing; and Elmore Leonard was the screenwriter. It just goes to show. Joe Kidd is a muddle and a drag, the shoddiest Eastwood vehicle since Rowdy Yates trod in his last cow flop. Kidd, first seen as a duded-up drunk sleeping one off in jail, is supposed to be a horse rancher and an expert tracker--just the fellow a rapacious land-grabber (Robert Duvall committing lazy villainy) needs to chase down the uppity Latino (John Saxon) who's trying to reclaim the grabbed land for its rightful owners. Neither the characters nor the overland pursuit makes any sense, thanks to chasms in the continuity and no direction to speak of. An absurdly arbitrary assault-by-locomotive provides the climax; as Eastwood observed, "Jesus, anything at this point--let's end it." --Richard T. Jameson
Joe Kidd Reviews:
ONE OF CLINT'S BEST SCREEN EFFORTS 
2009-08-20 -
With so many reviews listed I'm sure I cannot add much beyond my personal opinion in that for me this remains one of Clint's best screen efforts.
The surrounding group of actors plus the storyline blends well with the clear, high mountainous photography under the directorship of John Sturges (Filmed at various locations in California and Old Tucson). The original or 'working' title for the film was SINOLA with a few movie posters still around showing that title. The writer as most people would know, was none other than Elmore Leonard.
Clint's character is rather underspoken, always confident, ex bounty hunter, now rancher exibiting a fair minded view of the land grant situation. Being somewhat at first an uninterested bystander until Louis Chama gang draws him into it, Joseph Kidd begins to slowly take charge. Other memorable characters such as 'Senior' Naco (Pepe Callahan) and Ramon (Rob Soble)cannot be overlooked, nor can the character Lamarr (Don Stroud). Being a huge fan of John Saxon it is always a treat to see any of his performances. The movie also has some memorable scenes, with one of the best being the steam locomotive crashing into and through the Railroad Saloon.
Though I have the DVD, I cannot ignore the film when it shows on cable, as it has the last few days on AMC. I am almost pulled into rewatching it. Great film from beginning to end.
Semper Fi.
Pleasantly Surprised!
2009-06-25 - After all of the negative reviews, I wasn't expecting much so I was very surprised how much I liked this movie. I found this far more interesting and compelling than most of Eastwood's westerns. Robert Duvall played a great villain and the story and scenery were top notch.
Where's the Winchesters?
2009-04-10 - Good Entertainment, with circa 1900 firearms, but no 1892 or '94 Winchesters, the "Gun that Won the West". So, what's the deal,.. What would John Wayne think?
Clint returns to the western 
2009-02-12 - Following the huge success of Dirty Harry, Clint Eastwood returned to the genre that made him a star, the western, in Joe Kidd, a turn of the century story about a range war. Just sentenced to a 10-day sentence in jail, Joe Kidd is approached by a rich landowner, Frank Harlan, to serve as a guide for a hunting trip of sorts, a hunt for a Mexican causing problems with land rights by the name of Luis Chamas. Kidd at first turns down the offer, but when Chamas and his gang steal Joe's horses and beat one of his hired hands, he signs on to help Harlan. But on the trail with Harlan and his posse, Kidd finds out how brutal Harlan can be in his search for Chamas. This was a good movie from director John Sturges, but it's only 88 minutes long. Another half hour could have made this movie a near classic with some plot/character development. As is, there's some good gunplay with some modernized weapons, scoped rifles and Mauser pistols. Composer Lalo Schifrin's score is memorable, almost an Americanized spaghetti western score, and the locations in California and Old Tucson stand out too.
In one of his more relatively laid back roles, Eastwood plays Joe Kidd, a small rancher who sees a way to make some easy money after he's been wronged. Kidd fights for the little man here when he realizes how corrupt people can and will be. Robert Duvall is a good villain here, as always, as Frank Harlan, the landowner looking to kill Luis Chamas so almost 600,000 acres will be his. Duvall's good but like several characters here, his part could have been developed more. In a small part John Saxon plays Chamas, a bandit of sorts who is talked about more than he's actually seen. Don Stroud, Paul Koslo, and James Wainright lend support as Harlan's guns-for-hire posse. Stella Garcia has a strong part as Helen Sanchez, Chamas' woman who is trying to help him no matter what the cost.
This was the first time I saw Joe Kidd, but reading some reviews I found out scenes have been cut from the movie. Take warning then, and trust those reviewers. The DVD has a scratchy-looking widescreen presentation, production notes and cast and crew info, and a trailer that plays up the action in the movie. An enjoyable Eastwood western for sure, not a classic, but one worth checking out!
Joe Kidd
2008-08-02 - A great Eastwood western. Humorous and the long range rifle shots are great! Great cast!
