ONE-EYED JACKS

This 1961 Western is the only film directed by Marlon Brando.  It had a notoriously troubled production history, going way over budget after Brando, as producer and star, dispensed with Stanley Kubrick as director.  

Given also that the studio felt obliged to re-edit the 5-hour cut Brando initially produced one might be forgiven for thinking this must be a disaster.  It certainly was a commercial flop, and heralded a decade when Brando's career went on a seemingly terminal decline.

In fact what we have is an above-average Western which has a lot going for it: a very good cast, an unpredictable revenge narrative, an unusual setting (Monterey), a great score - and it is a delight for the eyes. 

And there is Brando of course, magnetic as always, and still just about young enough to play a brooding romantic hero.

The film is also surprisingly coherent so whoever did the re-edit must have done a good job.

There are two main relationships at the heart of this story.

The first is between Dad Longworth (Karl Malden) and Rio (Brando), two bank robbers when the film starts.  Longworth betrays Rio, who as a result spends five years rotting in a Mexican prison. 

When he escapes and catches up with Longworth the latter has gone respectable, having been elected sheriff and having acquired a wife and stepdaughter. 

Whether and how Rio takes his revenge drives the narrative from this point.

The other key relationship is between Rio and the stepdaughter, memorably played by a Mexican actress, Pina Pellicer.  It’s fair to say however that if you don't buy into their romance (I did) then this film will have a few longueurs.

The other main acting honour goes to Katy Jurado as Longworth's wife, who is able to bring dignity to the role, and to imbue her scenes with Dad with meaning.

Ben Johnson and Slim Pickens also provide solid support.

There are days when I might put this in my top ten Westerns. Well OK, maybe that is a bit OTT but I would certainly recommend giving this curiosity a go.

RATING: ✓✓ Catch It If You Can