A band of Mexicans find their U. S. land claims denied and all the records destroyed in a courthouse fire. Their leader, Louis Chama, encourages them to use force to regain their land. A wealthy landowner wanting the same decides to hire a gang of killers with Joe Kidd to track Chama.
Direction
Sturges stages a diner standoff that crackles with tension.
Practical Effects
That steam locomotive barreling through town? Real, ridiculous, perfect.
Director
John Sturges
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Eastwood rewrote significant portions of the script uncredited, including the famous courtroom scene where Joe throws a rifle.
Released during the Chicano Movement, the film's land-rights plot accidentally mirrored real activism—though the Mexican characters remain underwritten.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
