The ballad of Gregorio Cortez

Résumé du document

The intrigue of the film ?The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez' may seem casual and unexceptional to the modern viewer, even though it is based on a breathtaking true story. The film was shown in theaters in 1982 and didn't meet with great success, despite a paradigmatic plot of the spirit and history that forged the Texan identity. Gregorio Cortez lived in Texas with his family at the turn of the century (1901) and was among the vast number of Mexicans that didn't speak a word of English. Sheriff Morris, who was investigating a horse theft, visited the Cortez house in order to question him. Assisted by a deputy who translated into Spanish the conversation turned into a massive misunderstanding due to a translation error of the deputy concerning the trading of a horse. Cortez's brother was eventually shot dead by the sheriff and Cortez replicated by killing Morris.

Extraits

[...] The song Corrido de Gregorio Cortez” sets Cortez up as a hero and a symbol of the struggle of Mexicans for equal rights. The fact that he was eventually released from prison after six trials, a twelve-year confinement, and a pardon of the Governor of the State of Texas in 1913 allows the film to end the story on a positive tone, despite the obvious initial injustice. Although considered as a useful film for the collective history of the Mexican community in Texas, I was personally very disappointed by the acting of the main characters, which I consider highly unprofessional and emotionless. [...]

[...] In fact the film reflects a situation in today's Texas and aims at putting in perspective the dire straits the American immigration policy has to face. Indeed, the relationship between the Mexicans and the Texans in the film appears to be very tense and hostile. For instance, the way Gregorio is chased down by the Sheriff's men illustrate this mutual mistrust, especially during the shooting scene when a state official shouts less Mexicans we gotta chase down”. Although the G.W. [...]

[...] On the other hand, The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez shows how hospitable the Texan people can be and always eager to help someone in need. The scene in the desert between Cortez and a hunter illustrates this constant will to help, provide food and give shelter to foreigners. Despite the very conformist production of the film, this movie provides the viewer with a precise and documented description of the Texan way of life. Thanks to a particular history of independence, the Texan people is depicted in the movie as being a paradigm of the American pioneer in a sense that its life is very tight and dependent on its environment. [...]

[...] Sheriff Morris, who was investigating a horse theft visited the Cortez house in order to question him. Assisted by a deputy who translated into Spanish the conversation turned into a massive misunderstanding due to a translation error of the deputy concerning the trading of a horse. Cortez's brother was eventually shot dead by the sheriff and Cortez replicates by killing Morris. Being aware of the fact that he had become a fugitive, Cortez fled but was captured by the Chief deputy after an epic manhunt in the Texan desert. [...]