Review of The Missouri Breaks (1976) by Tom D — 12 Aug 2010

An intelligent Western romance and powerfully presented. Brando and Nicholson are fantastic in this tale of doom and slaughter. This film should be seen if for nothing else than these two outstanding performances.

This film was thrown under the bus and trashed, but having heard that for years I finally watched it. Nothing could be further than the truth. This was most likely not meant for 1976 audiences. It is slow and presented in real time most of the time.

Brando sings and plays harmonica as a deranged gun for hire stalking horse theives. His employer has a daughter that falls in love with Nicholson obviously at first sight in town. Her father hires Brando to clean up Nicholson's band of horse thieves (and fires him eventually) But by now Brando is an eccentric hunter who will not be denied.

The climactic ending is hardly expected. Nicholson finally comes face to face with the withered, dying father seemingly helpless. Hardly the case, there is quite a scene to see.

The very ending is rather anti-climatic as you may find at the end of the film. But that doesn't mean you can't like the film. Sprawling and majestic Montana scenery bring this underrated film to us and for one, I am glad to have seen it.

Do not dismiss Missouri Breaks until you have seen it yourself. Brando and Nicholson are priceless.