Scott LeBrun What we have here is a generally compelling, viscerally effective Western drama, the first of six teamings between actor Charles Bronson and filmmaker Michael Winner. Written by Gerald Wilson, it spins the yarn of Pardon Chato (Bronson), a half-Apache man who guns down a bigoted sheriff in self defense. A character named Quincey Whitmore (a rock solid Jack Palance) gets together a fairly large posse to hunt Chato down, but they are led into forbidding territory where their quarry seems to hold all the cards.Fear, ignorance, lust, and hatred rear their ugly heads in "Chato's Land", as good as any an examination of the poor attitudes that white men harbored towards Indians. Quincey is a lone dissenting voice; even while taking the mission seriously, he at least has respect for, and some understanding of, the man his team is hunting. Unfortunately, among this group we have the Hooker family, consisting of a horny creep, Earl (Richard Jordan), and a thoroughly racist heel (Simon Oakland), who ends up wanting revenge.Winner assembles here a very fine male ensemble (the kind of thing that Walter Hill would end up doing so well several years later), one in which women have not much of a role to play. (Sadly, the one woman who does, Chato's girl (Sonia Rangan), is molested and left tied up in the nude to serve as bait.) The cast features very reliable stars and character actors. Bronson offers one of his most stoic and mystical roles. He has VERY little dialogue to utter. Palance and Oakland are standouts; also co-starring are James Whitmore, Richard Basehart, Ralph Waite, Victor French, William Watson, Roddy McMillan, Paul Young, and Raul Castro.Excellent music by Jerry Fielding and vibrant photography also help to make this good entertainment. Be warned, however: it does get rather grim, racking up a large body count by the time it has finished.Seven out of 10.

LeonLouisRicci It's a "Bronson" Film, as They say. Charles Bronson's Name is Synonymous with Gritty, Populous Entertainment that are Big on Violence and Action, and Short on Intellect.This, the First Collaboration with Director Michael Winner is Defiant of these Preconceptions. The Dialog is Shaped with Sharp Old West Speak with Sub-Humans Spouting Redneck "Insights" about Indians, the Land, and God's Folly in Creating these "Aberrations" to the White Man.Jack Palance as the Leader of a Posse on the Trail of a "Half-Breed" who had the Audacity to Shoot the Sheriff in Self-Defence, into "Chato's Land", is as close to a "Hero" the Whites can Muster in this Lynch Mob of mostly Inbred Scum. Much like the American Reasoning and Futility of Trying to Defeat the "Gooks" in the Backyard Jungles of Vietnam.Palance is the Fulcrum Driving the Story for the Audience to stay Grounded while the Revenge Plot Violently comes to its Pre-Determined Conclusion. A Good Cast is Dispensed of in the Hard-Bitten and Brutal Style of its Era.The Editing is Tomahawked Together with a Rhythm that Copies its Betters and none to effectively to say the least. It Smacks of Hacks that are better at Mimicking than making Art. Winner's Direction is more than Competent with a Firm Hand at the Intent of being Entertaining as well as Messaging.Overall, an Underrated Western that is Worth a Watch Showcasing an almost Mute Charles Bronson (trademark) that does His work with little to say on the Subject except that Deeds are more Important than Words. His Gleaming, Muscled Body Shining in the Hot Sun is Unforgettable.

Jeliosjelios Chato's land has a very dark and violent tone. After an altercation in the city, the Apache Chato leads his white pursuers on his land, where the violent manhunt take place.A simple storyline well realized with a tone very specific to this particular early 70s and serves perfectly the darkness of history. The narrative is reinforced by interesting reflections on the Civil War, racism, attitudes, and various relations to things and nature.Charles Bronson always a great North American native. Jack Palance and his partners are very persuasive. A major element screenplay unexpected, a very good end ... a good movie, do not hesitate to reserve one hour and thirty-six minutes to watch and enjoy Chato's [email protected]

Norbert Palotas Though I haven't seen all of Bronson's movies I'm sure this is one of his best performance. I was wondering why is it so magnificent and I realised that it has a special mood and of course it has Bronson himself. By the way he was a perfect choice for this role equally inwardly and outwardly. Jack Palance was almost as brilliant as Charles, the only thing I didn't really like him is that he was the bad guy. Being a western-revenge movie, its story isn't full of surprises but Michael Winner did his best -like each time- and he made a wonderful but serious movie. Finally, I would like to thank Robert Paynter (camera-man) for the amazing panorama, sure he hadn't forgotten to have a look around.Taking it all round, I think Chato's Land is not just one of Bronson's best pictures but it is one of the best westerns I've ever seen.