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Marlon Brando, Jean Peters, Anthony Quinn, Joseph Wiseman, Arnold Moss ... see more see more... , Margo , Alan Reed Sr. , Harold Gordon , Lou Gilbert , Mildred Dunnock , Frank Silvera , Nina Varela , Florenz Ames , Bernie Gozier , Frank de Kova , Pedro Regas , Richard Garrick , Fay Roope , Ross Bagdasarian Sr. , Leonard George , Will Kuluva , Abner Biberman , Philip Van Zandt , Henry Corden , Fernanda Eliscu , Robert Filmer , Joseph Granby , George J. Lewis , Peter Mamakos , Belle Mitchell , Nestor Paiva , Ric Roman , Henry Silva , Guy Thomajan , Julia Montoya

Produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and directed by Elia Kazan, this film follows the life of Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata (Marlon Brando) from his peasant upbringing, through his rise to pow... read more read more...er in the early 1900s, to his death. The film presents an interesting but fictionalized picture of Zapata. Zapata, the child of tenant-farmers, was joined by Pancho Villa in his rebellion against tyrannical President Porfirio Diaz. The film romanticizes Zapata and in doing so unfortunately distorts the true nature of the wars he waged. Zapata fought, not to conquer Mexico but to free the land for the peasants of Morelos and other southern provinces. The Oscar-nominated screenplay by John Steinbeck ignores some historical details in order to focus on the corruptive influence of power. Marlon Brando won an Academy Award nomination for his work, as did Anthony Quinn, who took home the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his headstrong, hard-fighting, hard-drinking, intensely romantic character who does not hesitate to die for love. The film also features a beautiful score by Alex North, who also received an Academy Award nomination. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

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77% liked it

2,572 ratings

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67% liked it

15 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: Elia Kazan

Release Date: September 19, 1952

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DVD Release Date: September 9, 2003

Stats: 132 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (132)

  • michaelcorleone
    April 22, 2009
    michaelcorleone
    Director Elia Kazan and actor Marlon Brando were the ideal combination, and this film is just another piece of evidence. Working from a rich screenplay by John Steinbeck that perfectly captures the scope and tragic character arc of Zapata, Elia Kazan gives the picture his own gri... read moretty flavor and simplistic visual appeal. Marlon Brando dominates in the lead role, playing a complex and demanding character full of anguished undercurrents. Fast, exciting and brilliantly executed, this is a masterpiece and a definite favorite of mine.
  • ileo
    May 4, 2008
    ileo
    A favorite

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
November 1, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

Elia Kazan's direction strives for a personal intimacy but neither he nor the John Steinbeck scripting achieves in enough measure. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 20, 2003
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Throbs with a rare vitality, and a masterful picture of a nation in revolutionary torment has been got by Director Elia Kazan. Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The Mexican revolution whitewashed for east-coast intellectuals. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
April 22, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Kazan's biopic of the Mexican revolutionary offers good parts to Marlon Brando in the lead and Anthony Quinn as his brother, but it gets too conventional in the second half. Full Review

November 1, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Great acting exercise, Tabascoed with Brando, peppered with Quinn, but otherwise Kazan/Steinbeck refried beans. Full Review

Ken Hanke
November 15, 2006
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

For all its shortcomings, Zapata remains a vital work that has a curious resonance today in light of Kazan's subsequent decision to "name names" for HUAC. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
January 26, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

The direction and John Steinbeck's script seem stranded in a no man's land between straightforward adventure and a pessimistic allegory about the corrupting nature of power. Full Review

Steve Crum
December 24, 2005
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Fine Kazan "western" w/strong Quinn and Brando turns.

Douglas Pratt
November 6, 2004
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser

Elia Kazan's only stab at an action picture

Pablo Villaca
July 25, 2003
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena

Marlon Brando, como mexicano e com os olhos puxados, está sensacional como sempre, assim como o vivaz Quinn. História bem conduzida por Kazan que mostra o nascimento de uma lenda.

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