The Missouri Breaks

The Missouri Breaks (1976)

  • 83% of critics liked it
    (18 reviews)

  • 58% of users liked it
    (3,697 ratings)

A rancher, a rustler, and a regulator face off in Arthur Penn's eccentric western. As a cover for their horse thievery, a gang of Montana rustlers, led by the laid-back Tom Logan (Jack Nicholson), buys a small farm adjacent to the ranch of their latest target/nemesis, Braxton (John McLiam). When… More

PG,
Directed By
Written By
Thomas McGuane
Genres
Western, Drama, Action & Adventure
In Theaters
May 19, 1976 Wide
MGM

Critic Reviews

  • Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice

    A Western-as-capitalist-critique piece shanghaied by Marlon Brando's eccentric bounty hunter trying on brogues, mumus, and buckskin Nudie suits.

  • , Variety

    As a film achievement it's corned beef and ham hash.

  • Derek Adams, Time Out

    One of the few truly major Westerns of the '70s, with a very clear vision of the historical role played by fear and violence in the taming of the wilderness.

  • Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

    Enjoyable, if forgettable, New Hollywood shtick.

  • Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

    Interesting, even if not cohesive, Brando & Nicholson western.

Read all 11 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • AJ V


    Who would think that a movie with two of the greatest actors ever would be so horrible? I saw this one on TV, and it was so incredibly slow and boring, I couldn't watch the whole thing.

  • Conner R


    This goes from being a very odd movie to a very good movie about half way in, which is actually why it's so interesting. Jack Nicholson really gives the better performance here, both his character and mannerisms are so natural and deeply thought out. Marlon Brando essentially… More

  • Lanning :


    Jane Braxton: Are you an outlaw? <p> Tom Logan: I'm a jackpot farmer with one milk cow and a hundred-square-foot patch of vegetables. <p> Jane: Then how come you have so many guns? <p> Tom: Because I'm a sportsman. <p> Jane: Why do you have a… More

  • Mike T


    This is such a peculiar movie... it should have been great, considering the dynamic and powerful combination of actors under the direction of Arthur Penn. But it's a distant, sometimes tedious picture that I only enjoyed for the colorful, creative performances from Brando and… More

  • Brian R


    "The Missouri Breaks" isn't as a good as Arthur Penn's "Little Big Man" and I could hint that while filming production must have been rather difficult. Nicholson and Brando give very good performances, Arthur Penn is a master at using violence during key… More

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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