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Absolutely terrific. One of the most gripping, engaging and engrossing films I've seen in a while and it's a great shame that Brando never directed again (I'm not sure how much input Kubrick had on this film however), as he clearly could have had a successful career as a director. Brando is reunited again with Karl Malden as a pair of bandits who, whilst in Mexico, are chased into the wild plains by Mexican Rurales, after robbing a bank. Malden runs out on Brando (who’s character it based on Billy the Kid), and Brando is imprisoned for five long years of manual labor. Thus the revenge story is set up and so continues two hours of sheer awesomeness set five years later, as Brando visits Malden’s home town in California, and we are treated to beautiful shots of the coast. Malden’s now a Sherriff and as his stepdaughter falls in love with Brando, the hate between both men builds up and up. Brando’s on top, brooding form and Malden’s superb as usual. Pina Pellicer is also a pleasant surprise (unfortunately she committed suicide just a few years after the film was made). Brilliant, brilliant film.
5/5
