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“The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez” takes its title from the folk song that sprang up in the wake of the real-life eponymous character, a Mexican-American farmer who evaded a massive manhunt in turn of the century Texas after he was accused of killing a local lawman.

Cortez's unhappy tale is thanks to the shortcomings of a translator who didn't understand the distinction in Spanish between "horse" (caballo) and "mare" (yegua). The sheriff, investigating accusations of horse theft, is instantly convinced of Cortez's guilt and comes after him with a gun, shooting Cortez's brother in the process. Cortez shoots and kills the sheriff and the hunt begins.

Shifting its perspective between the pursuers and the pursued, The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez is a thrilling chase film and a nuanced procedural that peels away the layers of prejudice and myth surrounding Cortez, uncovering the true story of an ordinary man persecuted by the law and transfigured by legend.

Director: Robert M. Young
Cast: Edward James Olmos, James Gammon, Tom Bower
Country: USA
Genre: Western

BD50, DVD9 | 1080p AVC, NTSC | 01:46:00 | 45 Gb + 7.37 Gb
Language: English
Subtitles: English (for English dialogue only)

Extras:
• Interview with actor/producer Edward James Olmos (27:55)
• Interview with Chon A. Noriega, author of "Shot in America: Television, the State, and the Rise of Chicano Cinema" (19:02)
• Cast-and-crew panel from 2016 including Olmos, director Robert M. Young, producer Moctesuma Esparza, and cinematographer Reynaldo Villalobos, as well as actors Bruce McGill, Tom Bower, Rosanna DeSoto, and Pepe Serna (23:02)