The ‘70’s were a turbulent time in America and, of course, it was reflected in the films of the era. Icons of the past were cast in a dubious light, and anti-establishment types became heroes. Although many outstanding films were made then, it’s not one of my favorite periods artistically or politically. Last night THIS-TV, channel 111 on Cablevision in NYC, ran Chato’s Land (1972), which for some reason I’d never seen, which is odd, as it stars one of my favorite cinema tough guys, Charles Bronson or, as I call him, Buchinsky, his real name. Of Lithuanian descent, he worked in a Pennsylvania coal mine at 16, following his brothers. He was a tail-gunner on a B-52 during WWII and was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds suffered in combat. He was a natural for the movie roles he undertook. Legendary director John Huston described his persona as “a grenade with the pin pulled.” In Chato’s Land he plays a half-breed on the run from a posse of white men, most of whom are bigots, savages and fools. In what may have been a parable of Vietnam, he dispatches them one by one once they enter his harsh southwestern homeland. The supporting cast is stellar: Jack Palance plays a former southern officer who breaks out his uniform for a chase that obviously invigorates him; James Whitmore; Simon Oakland; Richard Jordan; Victor French; and Ralph Waite, the dad on TV’s The Waltons, who is chilling in his portrayal of pure, sober evil. One of the film’s strengths is its spare dialogue. Bronson says little in English, most of his lines coming in an Indian dialect that is probably Apache. Nothing occurs that isn’t believable. Its grittiness is another strength. It pulls no punches. It was directed by Michael Winner, who helmed the Death Wish series, which also starred Bronson. On a scale of five, I rate it 3.25. It is rated 6.4 of ten at IMDb. Bronson was about 50 during the filming. He appears shirtless through much of the story. He must have been one of the first actors to train religiously. He had the leanness of a gymnast.
I realized recently that ABC’s Zero Hour, a DaVinci Code-like show, has not returned to the schedule. It was cancelled after just three episodes. I’m not surprised. Although it moved crisply, it wasn’t very good. It didn’t have even a hint of freshness about it.
I just finished proofing the publisher's file of my fifth book, Exchanges. I found 49 errors, 16 of which involve improper spacing. All I can do is point them out and hope he fixes them.
The floating book shop was closed today as I accompanied a friend to the doctor. It will return manana.
Vic's Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
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