The rare American movie to make the jump from television to theaters, and without having to cross any oceans to do it. No one is apt to question its credentials (it debuted, after all, on public TV, not network), although the straight-shooting social consciousness is rather more characteristic of TV movies than of theatrical ones. This aspect tends to slow down, or sidetrack, the action. But if the details of the long-winded chase itself -- a turn-of-the-century, Texas-wide manhunt for a Mexican cowboy and family man -- are not too interesting, the details of what started it all -- a mistranslation of Spanish into English -- are very much so. And there are flawless portrayals of square-jawed Westerners all down the line, or at least until we encounter the blatantly Eastern prosecuting attorney, in the trial phase of the tale. With Edward James Olmos; directed by Robert M. Young. (1982) — Duncan Shepherd
This movie is not currently in theaters.