Terence Stamp is Azul, Spanish for Blue. A gringo, his parents died when he was young and he’s been raised by Mexican bandit Ortega as his favorite son, the one most likely to follow in his footsteps and become a leader of revolutionaries.
But he’s never been quite accepted by the other members of Ortega’s small army because of his white skin.
When a raid into the U.S. turns sour, Blue is wounded and left behind. He’s taken in by Dr. Morton (Karl Malden) and his pretty daughter Joanne (Joanna Pettet).
They’re determined to reform the young outlaw. They take him on as a hired hand. He and Joanne become especially close.
And, before long, Blue finds himself searching for his identity. His father wants him to return south of the border. And not all gringos are as welcoming as the Mortons.
Should his allegiance lie with Ortega, the bandit who has vowed to return to the small settlement to avenge the death of his men? Or should he help his own kind fight off the bandits?
Karl Malden as Doc Morton with Terence Stamp as Azul in Blue (1968)
Review:
A lovely looking film that’s not nearly as bad as its reputation. The interactions between Blue and Jess Parker, Joanne’s jealous would-be suitor are especially well handled.
And director Silvio Narizzano makes it clear that prejudice on the border cuts both ways. For instance, the whites shoot off their fireworks from a dummy hung from a tree and labeled Greaser.
But Stamp’s James Dean impression — which includes looking surly and barely speaking for the first half of the film — quickly grows tiresome. It’s difficult to care about what happens to his character, and that’s key to making the film work.
And a couple of the scenes between Blue and Joanne Morton are sure to strike viewers as just plain silly.
The same year this film was released, Joanna Pettet posed nude for Playboy and married actor Alex Cord. They had one son together; he died of a heroin overdose at age 26.
Ricardo Montalban as Ortega claims his prize at the cantina in Blue (1968).
Directed by:
Silvio Narizzano
Cast:
Terence Stamp … Blue / Azul
Joanna Pettet … Joanne Morton
Karl Malden … Doc Morton
Ricardo Montalban … Ortega
Anthony Costello … Jess Parker
Stathis Giallelis … Manuel
Robert Lipton … Antonio
James Westerfield … Abe Parker
Sally Kirkland … Sarah Lambert
Sara Vardi … Inez
James Westerfield … Abe Parker
Kevin Corcoran … Rory Calvin
Ivalou Redd … Helen Buchanan
Dorothy Konrad … Alma Wishoff
Helen Kleeb … Elizabeth Parker
Michael Bell … Jim Benton
Joe De Santis … Carlos
Carlos East … Xavier
Peggy Lipton … Laurie Kramer
Runtime: 107 min.
Terence Stamp as Azul with Joanna Pettet as Joanne Morton in Blue (1968)
Memorable lines:
Ortega: “I have many sons. And many sons should have many mothers. It’s logical. Also more enjoyable.”
Ortega, to Carlos, his brothers: “There is a sweet smell to the night. But you have a sour face. Go away.”
Ortega: “I am a leader of men.”
Carlos: “You are a leader of bandits. Teaching the one who is not your son to be a leader of bandits.”
Ortega: “I am a leader of revolutionaries. And if I choose Azul above the others, it is because Azul is worth more than my blood. He’s more like me than my blood. And one day, he will be a leader like I am. For the cause.”
Joanna Pettet as Joanne Morton and Karl Malden as Doc Morton defend their side of the river in Blue (1968)
Joanne Morton, to a wounded Blue: “We both undressed you. I’ve been a doctor’s daughter all my life. I’ve seen more than one grown man in his natural state. The spectacle holds no surprises for me.”
Doc Morton: “Don’t try me, boy. Just because I patched you up doesn’t mean I can’t let others string you up.”
Blue to Jess Parker: “Don’t prod me, boy.”
Ortega, to the Mortons, after Azul has made it clear he’s not returning to his father’s band: “This business between us is not finished. I will be back with all my men. I will avenge the murders of Antonio and Manuel and Azul. And in their memory I will put the torch to each building and farm here. I will burn out the murderers of my sons.”
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