Blu ray review: Vera Cruz (1954)

Kino Lorber has released, on blu ray, the Robert Aldrich western Vera Cruz; an exciting, colorful, violent film that inspired some of the later, edgier productions in this genre. This film came about as part of a two-picture deal that actor Burt Lancaster and producer Harold Hecht had made with United Artists. However, when their first film, Apache, was a huge hit, the two-picture deal became a two-year deal for seven films. (the Apache blu ray is reviewed HERE)

Even before the 7 film contract was developed, Lancaster and Hecht already announced that Vera Cruz, based on a story by Borden Chase, would be their production company's second picture for United Artists. A top drawer cast was hired, including Gary Cooper, Ernest Borgnine, Denise Darcel, Charles Bronson, Jack Elam, Jack Lambert, and Henry Brandon. Robert Aldrich was asked to return as director.

Cooper, a confederate soldier, joins up with Lancaster and his bandits, who are soon hired by by Romero to escort a countess through rebel territory. While the narrative flows consistently, the action is relentless, with massive shootouts of Mexican rebel bandits. It is a very vast, exciting piece, resulting in a bluntly visceral experience for the viewer. Through it all, the relationship between the two lead characters is complex and fascinating. The final shot of a scowling Cooper walking slowly through the dead bodies is iconic.

Shot in early 1954 on location in Mexico and at the Estudios Churubusco studios, Vera Cruz was considered quite shocking with its rather massive violence and harsh brutality toward women. The film even contains a scene where child hostages are threatened with murder. This level of violence and the overall disregard by the screen characters for their brutality, paved the way for later, similar films such as the noted “spaghetti westerns” of Sergio Leone, and such American westerns as John Sturges’ The Magnificent Seven, and Sam Peckinpah’s The Wild Bunch.

It is stated that while Lancaster and director Aldrich got along well on Apache, they clashed on this project. Lancaster had an interest in becoming a director so he had his own vision, which sometimes didn’t jibe with Aldrich's approach (Lancaster did indeed direct his next film, The Kentuckian, the following year).

Even though John Landis later parodied this film with his amusing comedy Three Amigos (1986), it does not dull the impact of this exciting western. Kino Lorber’s blu ray brings out the bold Technicolor nicely, while a commentary track by filmmaker Alex Cox adds a great deal of insight and further interest.

The blu ray is available here: VERA CRUZ