Review of Burn! (1969) by David M — 25 Apr 2011

Marlon Brando says this is his best work, and favorite film. I thought he was very good in it, but I felt the film was a train wreck in the editing department. I could nary follow the events or narrative of the film, it was clunky at best, and almost incoherent at worse. It basically amounts to a series of scenes that make some astute observations about colonialism, slavery, and revolutions. They are relevant, but dated, as they seem common sense now.

Brando creates a distinct character, and he is Brando, so it is obviously going to be a superb depiction on his part, but the character is rarely given anything of real interest to do or say. HIs upper-class Englishmen is appropriately regal, and Brando brings his trademark effeminate touch to the character, and a good accent (in his mumbling way.) This was when he was being ostracized from Hollywood for his on set behavior, politics, and altogether attitude. An interesting failure.