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The Cisco Kid (1994 film)

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The Cisco Kid
Warner Archive Collection DVD cover
Based onThe Cisco Kid
by O. Henry
Written byMichael Kane
Luis Valdez
Directed byLuis Valdez
StarringJimmy Smits
Cheech Marin
Music byJoseph Julián González
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerMoctesuma Esparza
ProducersGary M. Goodman
Robert A. Katz
Barry Rosen
Production locationsSinaloa, Mexico
Sombrerete, Zacatecas
Zacatecas, Zacatecas
Guadalupe, Zacatecas
Pachuca, Hidalgo
San Pedro Tlochataco, Hidalgo
Santa Maria Regla, Hidalgo
Sierra de Organos, Sombrerete, Zacatecas
CinematographyGuillermo Navarro
EditorZach Staenberg
Running time91 minutes
Production companyTurner Pictures
Original release
NetworkTNT
ReleaseFebruary 6, 1994 (1994-02-06)

The Cisco Kid is a 1994 American Western comedy TV movie, based on the character of the same name created by O. Henry. The property had previously been adapted as the successful 1950s comedy Western television series, and several movies and serials from the 1930s to the 1950s.[1]

The film was written by Michael Kane and directed by Luis Valdez. Jimmy Smits played the Cisco Kid, the role previously played by Duncan Renaldo, Gilbert Roland, and Cesar Romero. Cheech Marin played his sidekick Pancho. Bruce Payne and Ron Perlman played French villains.[2] The film aired on the TNT Network.[3]

Plot

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The Cisco Kid and Poncho are about to be executed by the French, who have taken over part of Mexico, when an attack on the prison by rebels allows them both to escape. Still chained together, they steal a burro and ride to a nearby village where they come upon a tax collector and several soldiers in the process of taking money from the villagers. The pair manage to overcome the soldiers, and using their guns, free themselves from the chains and rob the tax collector.

Pancho takes Cisco back to his village, where the pair inspire Mexican peasants to oust settlers from the Second French Empire. The action continues with gun battles, kidnapping, swordplay, humor and suspense.[4]

Cast

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Production

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The film was directed by Luis Valdez.[5] Filming took place in Sierra de Órganos National Park in the town of Sombrerete, Mexico.

Reception

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Just before its initial airing, Todd Everett of Variety praised the casting of Jimmy Smits in the role of The Cisco Kid as "ideal", and wrote that Cheech Marin as Pancho had "never been more appealing". He predicted that the film would have broad appeal.[6] Kim Newman of Empire stated that the film was 'a likeable cable revival for the old 1950s series Western character' and noted that it depicted Mexicans in a less stereotypical fashion than the original television series.[7] Nonetheless, Newman stated that it 'continues to depict the French (Bruce Payne, Ron Perlman) as effete sadists and the gringos (Tim Thomerson) as grungy swine'.[7]

Mick Martin and Marsha Porter of Video Movie Guide 1995 stated that it was an 'enjoyable, lighthearted Western...spiced with humor and enthusiastic performances by Jimmy Smits and Richard 'Cheech' Marin'.[8] Similarly, Ray Loynd of the Los Angeles Times stated that Smits played the Cisco Kid with an 'easy swagger and light romantic panache'.[9]

Terry Rowan described the film as a 'tongue-in-cheek comedy western filled with fast gunplay, narrow escapes, wild rides, battling armies and yes, some romance'.[4] Michael Pitts stated that a highlight of the film was the 'use of authentic locations depicting the rural Mexico of 1867'.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "TV REVIEWS : 'Cisco Kid' Is Back With Jimmy Smits". Los Angeles Times, February 05, 1994 | RAY LOYND
  2. ^ Hall, Steve (February 3, 1994). "Cisco Kid returns in TNT film". The Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Darling, Juanita (January 13, 1994). "'The Cisco Kid' Walks Between Two Worlds". Los Angeles Times.
  4. ^ a b Rowan, Terry (2013). The American Western A Complete Film Guide. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781300418580. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  5. ^ Caulfield, Carlota; Davis, Darién J. (2007). A Companion to US Latino Literatures. Boydell & Brewer Ltd. pp. 215–. ISBN 978-1-85566-139-4.
  6. ^ Everett, Todd (February 4, 1994). "Review: 'The Cisco Kid'". Variety. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Newman, Kim (January 1, 2000). "The Cisco Kid Review". Empire. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  8. ^ Martin, Mick; Porter, Marsha (1994). Video Movie Guide 1995. Ballatine. ISBN 9780345391964. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  9. ^ Loynd, Ray (February 5, 1994). "TV REVIEWS 'Cisco Kid' Is Back With Jimmy Smits". Los Angeles Times.
  10. ^ Pitts, Michael (2009). Western Film Series of the Sound Era. McFarland. ISBN 9780786435296. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
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