Viva Zapata! (1952)

67% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(2,547 ratings)

Produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and directed by Elia Kazan, this film follows the life of Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata (Marlon Brando) from his peasant upbringing, through his rise to power in the early 1900s, to his death. The film presents an interesting but fictionalized picture of… More Produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and directed by Elia Kazan, this film follows the life of Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata (Marlon Brando) from his peasant upbringing, through his rise to power in the early 1900s, to his death. The film presents an interesting but fictionalized picture of Zapata. Zapata, the child of tenant-farmers, was joined by Pancho Villa in his rebellion against tyrannical President Porfirio Diaz. The film romanticizes Zapata and in doing so unfortunately distorts the true nature of the wars he waged. Zapata fought, not to conquer Mexico but to free the land for the peasants of Morelos and other southern provinces. The Oscar-nominated screenplay by John Steinbeck ignores some historical details in order to focus on the corruptive influence of power. Marlon Brando won an Academy Award nomination for his work, as did Anthony Quinn, who took home the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his headstrong, hard-fighting, hard-drinking, intensely romantic character who does not hesitate to die for love. The film also features a beautiful score by Alex North, who also received an Academy Award nomination. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Elia Kazan
Written By: John Steinbeck
Genres: Western, Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Sep 19, 1952 Wide
On DVD: Sep 9, 2003

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Elia Kazan's direction strives for a personal intimacy but neither he nor the John Steinbeck scripting achieves in enough measure.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Throbs with a rare vitality, and a masterful picture of a nation in revolutionary torment has been got by Director Elia Kazan.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The Mexican revolution whitewashed for east-coast intellectuals.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Kazan's biopic of the Mexican revolutionary offers good parts to Marlon Brando in the lead and Anthony Quinn as his brother, but it gets too conventional in the second half.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Great acting exercise, Tabascoed with Brando, peppered with Quinn, but otherwise Kazan/Steinbeck refried beans.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
For all its shortcomings, Zapata remains a vital work that has a curious resonance today in light of Kazan's subsequent decision to "name names" for HUAC.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The direction and John Steinbeck's script seem stranded in a no man's land between straightforward adventure and a pessimistic allegory about the corrupting nature of power.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Fine Kazan "western" w/strong Quinn and Brando turns.
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
Elia Kazan's only stab at an action picture
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Marlon Brando, como mexicano e com os olhos puxados, está sensacional como sempre, assim como o vivaz Quinn. História bem conduzida por Kazan que mostra o nascimento de uma lenda.
, Film4
Kazan paints a romantic picture of a man who was actually a cold-hearted tyrant.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mike T

Director Elia Kazan and actor Marlon Brando were the ideal combination, and this film is just another piece of evidence. Working from a rich screenplay by John Steinbeck that perfectly captures the scope and tragic character arc of Zapata, Elia Kazan gives the picture his own gritty… More
Director Elia Kazan and actor Marlon Brando were the ideal combination, and this film is just another piece of evidence. Working from a rich screenplay by John Steinbeck that perfectly captures the scope and tragic character arc of Zapata, Elia Kazan gives the picture his own gritty flavor and simplistic visual appeal. Marlon Brando dominates in the lead role, playing a complex and demanding character full of anguished undercurrents. Fast, exciting and brilliantly executed, this is a masterpiece and a definite favorite of mine.
Leo L

A favorite

Cast

            Marlon Brando as Emiliano Zapata

            Jean Peters as Josefa Espejo

            Anthony Quinn as Eufemio Zapata

            Joseph Wiseman as Fernando Aguirre

            Arnold Moss as Don Nacio

            Margo as Soldadera

            Alan Reed Sr. as Pancho Villa

            Harold Gordon as Don Francisco Madero

            Lou Gilbert as Pablo

            Mildred Dunnock as Senora Espejo

            Frank Silvera as Huerta

            Nina Varela as Aunt

            Florenz Ames as Senor Espejo

            Bernie Gozier as Zapatista

            Frank de Kova as Col. Guajardo

            Pedro Regas as Innocente

            Richard Garrick as Old General

            Fay Roope as Diaz

            Ross Bagdasarian Sr. as Officer

            Leonard George as Husband

            Will Kuluva as Lazaro

            Abner Biberman as Captain

            Philip Van Zandt as Extra

            Henry Corden as Senior Officer

            Fernanda Eliscu as Fuentes' Wife

            Robert Filmer as Captain

            Joseph Granby as Gen. Fuentes

            George J. Lewis as Rurale

            Peter Mamakos as Soldier

            Belle Mitchell as Nacio's Wife

            Nestor Paiva as New General

            Ric Roman as Manager

            Henry Silva as Peon who challenges "president" Zapata

            Guy Thomajan as Eduardo

            Julia Montoya as Wife
See full cast

Viva Zapata! (1952)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Mike T

Leo L

Cast