Alvarez Kelly *** (1966, William Holden, Richard Widmark, Janice Rule) – Classic Movie Review 9073

Based on an actual incident, director Edward Dmytryk’s meaty 1966 American Civil War Western saga Alvarez Kelly is firm enough in its staunch liberal-minded principles to stay on course when the unravelling of the plot occasionally gets uncertain.

William Holden stars as the Mexican cattle driver Alvarez Kelly who sells his herd to the Yankees, but is soon kidnapped by Confederate Colonel Tom Rossiter’s Confederates, who plan to recapture the beasts in order to feed the famished South.

Dmytryk’s professional direction beefs up the story and there are efficient performances, too, from Holden as the smooth eponymous hero and Richard Widmark as the ruthless Confederate leader Tom Rossiter.

The story and screenplay are by Franklin Coen, with uncredited writing by Elliott Arnold and Daniel Taradash.

Also in the cast are Janice Rule, Patrick O’Neal, Victoria Shaw, Roger C Carmel, Richard Rust, Harry Carey Jr, Arthur Franz, Donald Barry [Don ‘Red’ Barry], Duke Hobbie, Howard Caine, Mauritz Hugo, Robert Morgan and G B Atwater [Barry Atwater].

Holden and Widmark met Steve McQueen while dining in Baton Rouge. McQueen, who was there filming Nevada Smith (1966), ended up drinking with Holden for the evening.

Alvarez Kelly is directed by Edward Dmytryk, runs 116 minutes, is made by Sol C Siegel Productions, released by Columbia Pictures, is written by Franklin Coen (story and screenplay), Elliott Arnold (uncredited) and Daniel Taradash (uncredited), is shot in widescreen and colour by Joseph MacDonald, produced by Sol C Siegel and scored by John Green.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 9073

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com