Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- gritty
- tense
- stoic
- classic western marathon
- clint eastwood night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film competently made and well acted but weakened by an underdefined protagonist, inconsistent plotting, and a poorly handled climax.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mexican land claims are denied after records are destroyed, making disputed ownership the central political and practical conflict.
Joe Kidd initially avoids the land dispute, works for Frank Harlan, and becomes involved after Chama attacks his interests and friends.
The plot culminates in a conspicuous action sequence involving a steam locomotive, distinguishing the film's frontier spectacle.
Luis Chama leads Mexican claimants in resistance to a wealthy landowner's armed campaign in the American Southwest.
Films like Joe Kidd, and why
The Outlaw Josey Wales
revisionist western atmosphere, taciturn gunfighter protagonist, and morally unstable frontier conflict
The Magnificent Seven
classic western gunfighter centrality, stark frontier violence, and conflict between personal codes and social upheaval
The Wild Bunch
land struggle, Mexican-American conflict, and a hired gun caught between competing factions
Valdez Is Coming
concise action western driven by a charismatic outlaw, hard-edged violence, and shifting loyalties
Movie Details
- Director
- John Sturges
- Release Date
- 1972-07-19
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (427)
Cast
- Clint Eastwood
- Robert Duvall
- John Saxon
- Don Stroud
- Stella Garcia
- James Wainwright
- Paul Koslo
- Gregory Walcott
- Dick Van Patten
- Lynne Marta
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Joe Kidd about?
- A taciturn former bounty hunter is pulled into a violent Southwest land dispute when rival forces turn justice, property, and revenge into armed confrontation.
- What is Joe Kidd like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Joe Kidd as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Joe Kidd violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Joe Kidd as moderate.
- What did critics think of Joe Kidd?
- Critics generally found the film competently made and well acted but weakened by an underdefined protagonist, inconsistent plotting, and a poorly handled climax.
- Which films are like Joe Kidd?
- Films with a similar feel include The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Magnificent Seven, The Wild Bunch, and Valdez Is Coming.
- How long is Joe Kidd?
- Joe Kidd runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch Joe Kidd?
- In United States, Joe Kidd is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
