Alvarez Kelly Reviews

Holden plays the title character, an avaricious cattleman of Irish-Mexican ancestry, in this uneven, offbeat Civil War drama. En route to delivering the 5,000 head of cattle he has promised Union officer O'Neal, Holden is waylaid by a contingent of tough Confederate troopers led by Widmark, who orders Holden to drive the herd into Rebel territory. Everyone wants the prized beef, it seems, and the journey is filled with action--from Indian attacks to battles with Union troops. Nonetheless, ALVAREZ KELLY lags until the thrilling climactic stampede. Widmark is particularly menacing as a ruthless cutthroat who will do anything for the grand Lost Cause, including shooting off one of Holden's fingers to show he means business. Rule plays the temptress who "belongs" to Widmark but dallies with Holden, incurring the wrath of the Confederate colonel. Regrettably, Holden's performance lacks his usual intensity; returning to the screen after a two-year absence, he is dominated in scene after scene by Widmark, who steals the movie.