El Diablo (1990)

When a teenage schoolgirl is kidnapped by Mexican bandit El Diablo (Star Trek: Voyager's Robert Beltran), her clumsy, awkward schoolteacher Billy Ray Smith (Anthony Edwards) sets out to save her. The would-be hero in this offbeat Western teams up with crotchety veteran gunslinger Van Leek (Louis Gossett Jr.), who helps him form an unlikely posse to rescue Smith's damsel in distress. What sets this low-key, made-for-cable production apart from numerous other Westerns is its humorously skewed take on the myths and legends of the Old West, as it not only deconstructs Hollywood's romanticized view of the genre but Billy Ray's veneration of a mythical gunfighter named Kid Durango, whose literary adventures he regularly reads to his students. Gossett is wonderfully droll as unscrupulous six slinger Van Leek, whose motives are always suspect; Edwards is charming as the bumbling teacher; and the supporting cast--which includes Branscombe Richmond (Renegade), Miguel Sandoval (Get Shorty), and John Glover (Brimstone)--imbue life into their quirky gun-for-hire roles. Indeed the best aspect of El Diablo is the way in which many of its characters' façades are gradually revealed. The very tongue-in-cheek screenplay was coauthored by Halloween director John Carpenter. --Bryan Reeseman Amazon.com

A good comedy Western

This movie should not be viewed with the idea of a serious western. I did, but it didn't take but about 5 minutes to see this was a comedy with a western flavor. Others have given the general story of the movie so I will comment on the actors. I thought they all preformed well and made it a fun watch for the evening without taxing my brain. This was from a VHS tape and was very good color wise and clear viewing. I would recomend this for a fun evening. A little gory and some swearing so parents check it out before letting young children watch. February 28, 2008

El Diablo: Pixellation Hell in the Old West...

This movie features a fine cast, an intriguing story with likable characters, and a very authentic "look." You get to liking Edwards' ungainly school teacher right off the bat, and when Gossett's grizzled bounty hunter makes his appearance, you are certain that the movie will deliver big entertainment...

And then the pixellation issues begin. Depending on which copy of the DVD you get; the screen image will begin to pixellate as early as chapter 2 or as late as chapter 4, finally locking up completely no later than early in chapter 4 (and I have yet to make it further than halfway into chapter 4). Of the three copies of this HBO original movie I have attempted to watch -- two copies from Amazon, and one purchased from Tower Records -- all have exhibited the exact same defect regardless of whether they are played on a DVD machine, PC/Mac, or PS2.

I'd love to watch this movie, but I am afraid that the disc-manufacturer's quality control (or lack thereof), is prepared to foil me at every turn. If you can acquire a copy free of manufacturer defects, you'll be guaranteed some fine entertainment...good luck! May 25, 2007

El Diablo

El diablo is a funny western about a young school teacher who decides to rescue one of his students kidnapped by a natorious bad man. Knowing nothing of gun play he teams up with an old gunfighter who tries to teach him the skillful art before rescuing the girl. The adventures they have while chasing the gang down and teaching lessons is funny and entertaining. It is well worth the time. January 3, 2007

Great movie - bad reproduction

This is one of my favorite movies ... I love it! BUT, I returned the DVD after finding out that it is not made in Widescreen or Dolby Digital. I know .. I should have looked first, but I assumed.:( Why does anyone even bother to make a DVD in Full Screen - HiFi? A tape is almost as good. This movie, and dozens more that I know of, deserve much more. March 22, 2004

Thoroughly Enjoyable Fun

I began watching this movie because there was simply nothing else on, and I like Lou Gossett Jr & Anthony Edwards. About 15 minutes into the film, I was hooked and really enjoying the ride. This is a very clever, witty, and funny screenplay, full of jokes both subtle and not, and it has a score that is nearly flawless, accentuating both action and comedy. There are a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, and some truly unique comedic situations. In many respects, the whole film reminded me of "The Frisco Kid" with Harrison Ford and Gene Wilder, another of my favorite Western comedies.

Anthony Edwards (Billy Ray Smith) plays a tenderfoot schoolteacher prone to falling off and accidentally shooting horses. One of his students is kidnapped by the stunningly attractive El Diablo ("Star Trek: Voyager's" Robert Beltran,) and Edwards sets out to find the girl and bring her home. His misadventures with a band of misfit outlaws brings a lot of laughs and even some tender moments.

With only minor bad language and some blood here and there, this is a movie the whole family can enjoy. I highly recommend it, and plan to watch it again and again. April 5, 2003

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