Charles Bronson and director Michael Winner made the first of several films together in this western that was shot in Spain. Chato's Land boasts a fine cast of players most of whom don't make it through the end of the film.
Bronson plays Pardon Chato a mixed blood Apache just in town for supplies and a racist U.S. Marshal puts the prod to him. That's a big mistake as Bronson kills him in self defense. A bunch of self righteous citizens get up a posse after him. Their brand of justice includes raping his wife and killing his child in the bargain.
Jack Palance plays the nominal leader of the group, but he's got no control over the meanest of the bunch, a trio of brothers Simon Oakland, Ralph Waite, and Richard Jordan. Others in the party include James Whitmore and Richard Basehart.
Charles Bronson is always a nasty man to cross, never more so when on his own turf as he is in the Arizona desert. Bronson has honed this character to perfection. It's no accident that Winner was the director in the first three Death Wish films. Elements of this same plot are also to be found in a particular favorite Bronson film of mine, Mr. Majestyk.
Chato's Land is a good western with an impeccable cast. I do so love that sudden death ending in this film.
