Viva Zapata! (1952)

Director:

Elia Kazan

Writer:

John Steinbeck (writer)

Release Date:

22 August 1952 (West Germany)

Genre:

History | Western

Tagline:

A BANDIT WHO BECAME A LEGEND!...Roaring Story of Mexico's Tiger on a White Horse!

Plot:

The story of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, who led a rebellion against the corrupt, oppressive dictatorship of president Porfirio Diaz in the early 20th century.

Plot Keywords:

Mexico | Latin America | Anarchy | Mexican Revolution | Revolution

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Marlon Brando	...	Emiliano Zapata
Jean Peters	...	Josefa Zapata
Anthony Quinn	...	Eufemio Zapata
Joseph Wiseman	...	Fernando Aguirre
Arnold Moss	...	Don Nacio
Alan Reed	...	Pancho Villa
Margo	...	Soldadera
Harold Gordon	...	Francisco Indalecio Madero
Lou Gilbert	...	Pablo
Frank Silvera	...	Victoriano Huerta
Florenz Ames	...	Señor Espejo
Richard Garrick	...	Old General
Fay Roope	...	President Porfirio Diaz
Mildred Dunnock	...	Señora Espejo

Runtime:

113 min | Argentina:115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Germany:12 (DVD rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | West Germany:16 (f)

Filming Locations:

Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, Durango, Colorado, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Anthony Quinn was very disappointed when Marlon Brando was cast as Emiliano Zapata - he thought that with his Latin appearance, he would have been a better choice. To solve the argument, both actors competed to see which of them could urinate furthest into the Rio Grande. Quinn lost the bet, but he won an Oscar for the best supporting actor as Zapata's brother.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Zapata rides away across the plaza after a confrontation, his pistol falls out of his holster without his noticing.

Quotes:

Fernando: This is all very disorganized.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mary Tyler Moore: He's No Heavy... He's My Brother (#2.3)" (1971)

MY Favorite Movie

this was Marlon Brando and Anthony Quinn at their best ---the entire supporting cast was superb.

Steinbeck hadn't written anything as powerful as this since he did his tale of the Okies during the depression. Zapata is truly one of the great heroes of the 20th century, and Brando captured this along with the frustration of trying to do the right thing and yet being hamstrung by the bureaucrats who manage to survive every change in government, no matter which way in turns.The final scene in the movie leaves Zapata as a legend --- did he die, or does he still live to help the millions of peons in Mexico.

Elia Kazan's direction was terrific.