Review of One-Eyed Jacks (1961) by Jeff R — 01 Feb 2010
One-eyed Jacks' is the only film directed by Marlon Brando. A 1961 western set distinctively on the Californian coast. The Big Sur booming away as a fatal groundnote to the drama. Brando is superb and looks devastatingly beautiful and charismatic.
Apparantly he disowned the studio cut picture. His preferred version, now lost,was five hours long. included a tragic ending and pointed up the ambivalent morality of the characters, including the 'hero'.
It is still a wonderful film though I can see what he meant but I think enough of his film remains. Slim Pickens is wonderful in it as a boorish lump of a deputy sheriff. One scene has 'Kid Rio' lashed to a horse rail and flogged with a bull whip by Malden's character, 'Dad Longworth'.
This isn't the first time that the Calvary is invoked in the film. I was glad the studio insisted on the upbeat ending. Brando and his girl virtually riding off into the sunset. The actress was a wonderful, young Mexican woman, Pina Pellicar, who had a relationship with Brando around this time but killed herself two years later.
This review of One-Eyed Jacks (1961) was written by Jeff R on 01 Feb 2010.
One-Eyed Jacks has generally received positive reviews.
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