Marlon Brando (the Fugitive Kind, The Young Lions, [DVD]

 

 

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I got this collection mainly to see 'The Fugitive Kind', an adaptation of a Tennessee Williams play, 'Orpheus Descending', directed by Sidney Lumet. It' s usually reviewed as being a pretentious failure but I don't see why this film garnered such bad reviews. Sure, it's not in the classic league of 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and it's a little slow in places, perhaps, but it's still fascinating, at least if you have any interest in Tennessee Williams' themes or Marlon Brando in prime form. Apparently Williams' wrote the character of Valentine Xavier for Brando, and he inhabits the role (a modern-day Orpheus) beautifully, with great support from Anna Magnini and Joanne Woodward. David Lynch appears to have been influenced by the film, in that the male protagonist of his film 'Wild at Heart' wears a near identical snakeskin jacket to the one Brando wears in this film, and which he claims several times, 'represents my individuality and my belief in personal freedom'-- which is in a literal way what it means for Brando's character (though there are other levels of symbolism too in 'The Fugitive Kind'-- Xavier has come to the small town outside of New Orleans after a brush with the law and is trying to change his life, or 'shed his skin'... I'm sure there's others to be found).
The Young Lions is a very decent film in both senses of the word. Directed by Edward Dymytryk, and based on a novel by Irwin Shaw, it follows two American characters played by Dean Martin and Montgomery Clift, and one German, played-- in a typically bold choice of role-- by Brando. Brando conveys very well a decent young German, and the role is written refreshingly against stereotype (we see him in his first scene charming an American girl at a New Year's Eve party by clowning and joking around, often at the expense of German traditions). But the film belongs as much to Montgomery Clift as Brando, and Hope Lange (as Clift's wife) has one of the film's most memorable scenes, where she reads out a letter from her husband sent from the war front. The film also intelligently shows, through the journey of Clift's Jewish American character, that anti-Semitism also had roots in America as well as Germany at that time. This film is the antithesis of something like Tarantino's 'Inglorious Bastards', which trades in comic-book attitudes and lazy cynicism, and 50 years later has less of interest to say about the war than this film, at least in my opinion. In short, worth watching and even though Brando is not centre-stage throughout, it shows a different side to his range than the more 'rock'n'roll' characters that people seem to remember him for.
Morituri is a rather pedestrian WW2 spy-thriller, with Brando again playing a German, this time a neutralist art collector blackmailed by the British navy to sabotage a German ship heading from Japan to France. There's nothing wrong with it as a diversion, but unlike The Young Lions it is kind of a superficial film that doesn't do much with the talents of Brando. This is the one film that feels like 'filler' out of the four.
Lastly, Viva Zapata is a great, earnest film about the legendary revolutionary. It's simply and powerfully directed by Elia Kazan, who also directed Brando in 'On the Waterfront' and 'A Streetcar Named Desire', and the real brilliance is in the script by John Steinbeck. Some people will just not be able to buy into Brando or Anthony Quinn as Mexicans, as we are now used to a greater realism (certainly today Zapata would be played by an actor like Gael Garcia Bernal)-- but if one looks at it more as a morality play, perhaps, than a naturalistic film, it is moving and it's message is noble and sound.
The final thing to say is that I found the image quality of these DVDs high-- I have read that some other collections have poor image quality but I did not find this to be the case with this collection. An 'ultimate' collection would probably be 'A Streetcar Named Desire', 'On The Waterfront, 'The Wild One' and 'Last Tango in Paris', perhaps-- but if you are strongly into Brando's acting, at least three of these four films are worth watching.

Especially The Fugitive Kind - Brando and Magnani excel. A masterful production and well ahead of its time in the acting stakes given it was produced so many years ago. Remains a gem today

Studio Stars Collection is among the fewest collections that contain really great selection of movies. So it happens that this collection has 4 great movies from one of the best actors Hollywood produced in the beginning of the 50's.

The Fugitive Kind (d. Sidney Lumet) is dark and controversial. A bit unusual for director Sidney Lumet, but still one of his best. Marlon is a young and handsome newcomer looking for trouble... won't say more than this.

The Young Lions (d. Edward Dymitrik) and Morituri are two strong war movies having a great impact even today after 51 years and 44 years. Although the lengh of The Young Lions is 160 minutes, the movie never cease to amaze. The same for Morituri which is more of a spy war movie which lasts almost 2 hours.

Viva Zapata (d. Elia Kazan) is an epic story about Mexico. Did not see it yet...

This collection brings out the versatility that Marlon had before his movies became worse and worse. It's great entertainment.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Quality Brando
Although I am reviewing the collection, I have not had time to watch Young Lions or Viva Zapata yet. Read more

Published 10 months ago by G. Wilson

5.0 out of 5 stars Film Review
Marlon Brando Collection - The Fugitive Kind/The Young Lions/Morituri/Viva Zapata [DVD] purchased as a present , recipient very pleased with collection

Published 10 months ago by Vonnie

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine collection
Likely, we know these films and what the critics have said about them. So, let's talk disc quality.
In looking to places like DVDBasen. Read more

Published 14 months ago by Sofia L

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