One-Eyed Jacks
Reviews
John Chard
Flashes of greatness standing out in chopped messy Western. I was never that smitten with this film many years ago on my first viewing, but now, with the advent of time, I like to think I view films with newer and wiser perspectives. Sadly I can't say that One-Eyed Jacks has left me anything other than frustrated and cold with disappointment. Marlon Brando took over directing duties from Stanley Kubrick after the two giants fell out about the direction the picture was taking, this let Brando loose to shoot for 6 months on a film meant to be wrapped in two. Now this may be the main problem to me because the film is painfully devoid of major fleshing out of the characters, scenes are not expanded and there are obvious gaps due to mass editing cuts. It reads on the screen that our protagonist gets sentenced to 5 years in jail, two seconds later we see a bearded haggard man escaping prison chained to another inmate, next shot he is clean shaved and it seems we have missed some important chat between the two escapists. On it goes throughout the picture, I'm sure that the final elongated cut (rumoured to be between 4 & 6 hours) would have been a joyous experience, but as it is we get a cut down 141 minutes of film that rather outstays it's welcome. And to get through it you really need to believe in patience being a virtue. Brando of course holds court and is never less than interesting, and at times he sizzles and dominates the screen in the way that Marlon was want to do. But the whole performance has the reek of over indulgence about it. Making it more about the actor than the actual narrative. Along side him, Karl Malden is solid and gruff as the villain of the piece, but Katy Jurado is badly underused and seems like an afterthought to be an important character. Sadly, too, Pina Pellicer struggles to convince in her only American film, but naturally that is not important in the context that she was to take her own life at the woefully young age of 29 (depending on what site you believe as regards age at death). The bright spot here is the cinematography from Charles Lang Jr at the various sites in California, it is simply gorgeous, check out the coastline shots and take it all in. I personally feel that this film is one that Brando fans choose to ignore the major flaws with. His name some how making the end product seem better than it actually is. In its longest form I'm sure it "could have been a contender" in the great Western stakes, as it is it remains average and something of an unfulfilling disappointment. 5/10
Wuchak
_**One of the GREAT Westerns**_ Dad Longworth (Karl Malden) literally "takes the money and runs" as he leaves his young partner in crime, Kid Rio (Marlon Brando), behind to rot in a Mexican prison. Rio escapes 5 years later with only vengeance in mind. He finds Dad in Monterey, California, now a respectable town Sheriff with a Mexican wife (Katy Jurado) and step-daughter, Louisa (Pina Pellicer), living the American Dream on the beautiful Pacific coast. The situation is complicated by Rio's teaming up with two lowlife criminals whose only intent is to rob the town bank (Ben Johnson and Sam Gilman), as well as Rio's romantic dallyings with Louisa. "One-Eyed Jacks" was Brando's only stab at directing and his original cut of the film was twice as long (!). I would love to see this director's cut, which HAS been shown on TV, but this 141-minute cut is fine as is. Not only is "One-Eyed Jacks" one of the best Westerns of all time, it's also one of Brando's top films. What makes it so great? Several things. Brando is at his most captivating here, but the story is entrancing as well, even though it's more of a slow drama Western than an action/adventure. When the action comes, however, it's quick and realistic. There are numerous themes running through the long story. One of the major ones is the clash of the misfit with conventional society. Since society is composed of a bunch of conformist misfits, the misfit must learn to conform if s/he wants to fit in and succeed. In other words, if you want to 'make it' in conventional society it's necessary to hide your problematic past & flaws and put on a front of respectability. Dad Longworth has figured this out and he's not about to allow Rio to ruin it for him. I would like to offer a word of defense for Dad Longworth: Although it was wrong for him to take the money and leave Rio to be captured, one can't help but empathize with him. If he went back for Rio there was a high risk of capture or death. The safest and most promising route was the selfish one. The good thing is that Dad wisely took advantage of this opportunity and made a good life for himself in Monterey. He was obviously sick of his criminal lifestyle and wanted a real life, a real job and real family. He was getting on in years and knew that this may well be his final opportunity, so he took it. The problem is that one's past always has a way of haunting us or coming back to bite us in the hind end, which is another theme of the film; hence, Rio walks back into Dad's life 5 years later and his American dream is suddenly threatened. Notice Dad's rage when he whips/beats Rio to an inch of his life; he's doing everything in his power to kill the ugly phantoms of his past, which is why he tries to get Rio hung on false charges later in the story. Another theme is how love is tied to redemption. Both Dad and Rio are criminals, but both desire redemption and a better life. The love of Dad's wife and the Monterey general populace brings this out in Dad, whereas Louisa's love for Rio slowly changes him. Near the end we plainly see that Rio no longer wants to kill anyone, he doesn't even want to see his nemesis; all he wants is to run off with his lady love. If Rio remained the same person he was at the beginning of the story "One-Eyed Jacks" wouldn't be half the film it is. In addition, Dad's love for Katie, his Mexican wife, is what delivered Katie and Louisa "from the beanfields," as Dad puts it. Love goes hand-in-hand with loyalty or faithfulness. We see this in Rio's likable Mexican sidekick, Chico (Larry Duran). One of the best qualities of "Jacks" is that it's refreshingly realistic. There's no goofiness, unbelievable one-liners, over-the-top action or excruciatingly dated aspects, except for the opening credits & corresponding score. Thankfully, the rest of the film isn't. "One-Eyed Jacks" was the obvious precursor to the Spaghetti Western. For instance, the protagonist is a dyed-in-the-wool "cool" anti-hero (like, say, Eastwood). The main difference between "Jacks" and most Spaghetti Westerns, however, is that "Jacks" has a worthwhile story, which can't be said for most Italo-Westerns; also the anti-hero in "One-Eyed Jacks" slowly transforms into a potentially positive member of society. The film's influence goes well beyond just the Spaghetti Westerns. Take, for instance, the crucifixion-style beating and long restoration. "Conan the Barbarian" (1982) pretty much ripped-off this entire sequence; Arnold Schwarzenegger even admitted to it. Pina Pellicer does a notable job as Rio's girlfriend Louisa. Spiritually-speaking, she's incredible. Although she commits a foolish error after getting drunk, on a whole she's the epitome of love, virtue and spirituality. Again, this love is the key factor in someone's metamorphosis. Unfortunately Pina committed suicide a few years after "Jacks" was released. Thankfully we have this film to remember her beauty and virtue. "Jacks" was filmed entirely in California with all the coastal sequences photographed on the Monterey Peninsula, including Pebble Beach. This is one of the few Westerns where you'll see the Pacific Ocean (you'll also see it at the beginning of 1954's "Garden of Evil"). Other locations include Big Sur and Death Valley. GRADE: A
CinemaSerf
This gets off to a strong start with the nonchalant "Rio" (Marlon Brando) and his pal "Dad" (Karl Malden) relieving a bank of it's golden pesos. Their flight doesn't quite go to plan though, and in need of fresh horses they are forced to separate. It's "Dad" who heads off in search of the stock but forgets to come back for his buddy who is apprehended by the pursing police. Five years later and "Rio" is intrigued by a proposition by "Amory" (Ben Johnson) that could net him quite a bit of cash and give him a chance for revenge on his now sheriff comrade in the town of Monterey, Thus far it's teed up to be a solid revenge western but once he arrives, the thing rather quickly descends into a soppy drama with "Rio" becoming sweet on the young "Louisa" (Pina Pellicer) who happens to be the step-daughter of "Dad" and his new wife "Maria" (Katy Jurgado). Might his desire for vengeance now be being tempered by an even greater desire? I found it really only Johnson who delivered well here as his character talks a good game but actually has a yellow streak a mile wide. Slim Pickens also chips in amiably as the lecherous bully of a deputy "Dedrick" but I didn't really find either Brando or Malden to be especially menacing here, nor really is there much going on as it enters it's lengthy brooding phase. The last few minutes provide us with a conclusion, of sorts, but that's all a bit rushed and really quite weak - as if nobody could quite have the courage to end the story decisively one way or the other. It's looks good with some fine photography setting the scene, but it's one of those westerns set at the end of that way of life and it just seems to meander along disappointingly.
Movie Recommendation
The Hanging Tree1959-02-19Joseph "Doc" Frail is a doctor with a past he's trying to outrun. While in Montana, he comes across a mining camp with a hanging tree and rescues a man named Rune from the noose. With Rune as his servant, Frail decides to settle down, and he takes over as town doctor. He meets Elizabeth, who is suffering from shock, and the two soon fall in love. But when Elizabeth is attacked, Frail's attempt to help her lands them both in trouble.More...
Bad Timing1980-03-02Alex Linden is a psychiatrist living in Vienna who meets Milena Flaherty though a mutual friend. Though Alex is quite a bit older than Milena, he's attracted to her young, carefree spirit. Despite the fact that Milena is already married, their friendship quickly turns into a deeply passionate love affair that threatens to overtake them both. When Milena ends up in the hospital from an overdose, Alex is taken into custody by Inspector Netusil.More...
Force of Evil1950-08-24Lawyer Joe Morse wants to consolidate all the small-time numbers racket operators into one big powerful operation. But his elder brother Leo is one of these small-time operators who wants to stay that way, preferring not to deal with the gangsters who dominate the big-time.More...
The MacKintosh Man1973-11-08A member of British Intelligence assumes a fictitious criminal identity and allows himself to be caught, imprisoned, and freed in order to infiltrate a spy organization and expose a traitor; only, someone finds him out and exposes him to the gang...More...
The Appaloosa1966-09-15A man tries to recover a horse stolen from him by a Mexican bandit.More...
The Fugitive Kind1960-04-14Val Xavier, a drifter of obscure origins, arrives at a small town and gets a job in a store run by Lady Torrence. Her husband, Jabe M. Torrance, is dying of cancer. Val is pursued by Carol Cutere, the enigmatic local tramp-of-good-family.More...
After You2003-12-17Antoine works in a bar in Paris. One evening on his way home from work, he intervenes when a man tries to commit suicide. He feels strangely guilty about having saved the man's life and constantly tries to help him, make things better. No matter what Antoine does, he can't get Louis's mind off Blanche, the woman of his dreams, his sole obsession, the reason why he wanted to die... Antoine decides to look for her, but doesn't let Louis know.More...
Posse from Hell1961-03-01Banner Cole is a tough sheriff's deputy who forms a small posse to go after 4 death cell escapees who killed the sheriff , along with 3 other men, and kidnapped a woman with rape in mind.More...
Gayniggers from Outer Space1992-01-01Extraterrestrial beings travel the galaxy to free men "oppressed" by females to make way for an entirely-homosexual society.More...
Town Without Pity1961-10-10Four American soldiers stationed near a German village face death in the rape of a local girl and are defended by outside counsel Major Steve Grant.More...
Seven Ways from Sundown1960-09-25A Texas Ranger must capture an outlaw and take him-in, while tangling with savage Apaches and greedy bounty-hunters on the way back to jail.More...
Odd Obsession1959-06-23A middle-aged husband of a younger woman finds her youth intimidating to the point that he cannot become aroused. His solution involves the introduction of his daughter's lover to his wife.More...
Rough Air: Danger on Flight 5342001-01-01Having taken the blame for an accident beyond his control, pilot Mike Hogan has been on administrative leave indefinitely; however when the airline is desperately short of staff, he is offered to be first officer and accepts, without enthusiasm, received with disdain by the well-connected commander. Surprisingly his come-back proves less then routine, as the captain gets knocked out and a collision as well as a murderer being transported by police require courageous action from Mike, his crew and several passengers, including soccer star Ty Conner.More...
Chimes at Midnight1965-12-22Henry IV usurps the English throne, sets in motion the factious War of the Roses and now faces a rebellion led by Northumberland scion Hotspur. Henry's heir, Prince Hal, is a ne'er-do-well carouser who drinks and causes mischief with his low-class friends, especially his rotund father figure, John Falstaff. To redeem his title, Hal may have to choose between allegiance to his real father and loyalty to his friend.More...
The Wild One1953-12-30The Black Rebels Motorcycle Club ride into the small California town of Wrightsville, eager to raise hell. Brooding gang leader Johnny Strabler takes a liking to Kathie, the daughter of the local lawman, as another club rolls into town.More...
Mutiny on the Bounty1962-11-08The Bounty leaves Portsmouth in 1787. Its destination: to sail to Tahiti and load bread-fruit. Captain Bligh will do anything to get there as fast as possible, using any means to keep up a strict discipline. When they arrive at Tahiti, it is like a paradise for the crew, something completely different than the living hell aboard the ship. On the way back to England, officer Fletcher Christian becomes the leader of a mutiny.More...
The Horse Soldiers1959-06-11A Union Cavalry outfit is sent behind confederate lines in strength to destroy a rail supply center. Along with them is sent a doctor who causes instant antipathy between him and the commander. The secret plan for the mission is overheard by a southern belle who must be taken along to assure her silence.More...
Memoria2021-09-30One morning, Jessica Holland, a Scottish orchid farmer visiting her sister in Bogotá, is woken by a loud ‘bang’. This haunting sound dispels her sleep for days, calling into question her identity and guiding her from recording studios to secluded jungle villages in an attempt to find its source.More...
The Great Silence1968-11-22A mute gunslinger fights in the defense of a group of outlaws and a vengeful young widow, against a group of ruthless bounty hunters.More...
Fear and Desire1953-03-31After their airplane crashes behind enemy lines, four soldiers must survive and try to find a way back to their battalion. However, when they come across a local peasant girl the horrors of war quickly become apparent.More...
Similar Movies
The Man Who Would Be ...
1975-12-03A robust adventure about two British adventurers who take over primitive Kafiristan as "godlike" rulers, meeting a tragic end through their desire for a native girl. Based on a short story by Rudyard Kipling.Greed
1924-12-04A lottery win of $5,000 forever changes the lives of a miner turned dentist and his wife.River of Fundament
2014-02-12Visionary artist Matthew Barney returns to cinema with this 3-part epic, a radical reinvention of Norman Mailer’s novel Ancient Evenings. In collaboration with composer Jonathan Bepler, Barney combines traditional modes of narrative cinema with filmed elements of performance, sculpture, and opera, reconstructing Mailer’s hypersexual story of Egyptian gods and the seven stages of reincarnation, alongside the rise and fall of the American car industry.Vengeance of the West...
1942-08-16Anita Morell arrives by stagecoach in a small California town to find her father murdered and his property being stolen by two unscrupulous townsmen. She receives help from a sympathetic lawman and from a masked rider known as "the Black Shadow" whose whip-scarred back is evidence of his own grudge against the townsmen.A Bullet for Pretty B...
1970-07-15A biography of Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd, a gangster who started his career at a young age after seeking revenge for his father's murder.Ghosts of Red Ridge
2024-12-03After foiling a good ol' fashioned stickup in the gold bust town of Red Ridge, Texas, the town sheriff jails a mysterious stranger suspected of ties to the gang of outlaws terrorizing residents. But as the sheriff draws closer to unraveling the bandits' identities, ghosts of murdered townspeople begin appearing at his door, leaving him to question whether the spirits are warning him…or seeking vengeance for his own failure to protect them.The Ballad of Lefty B...
2017-12-15Aging sidekick Lefty Brown has ridden with Eddie Johnson his entire life. But when a rustler kills Eddie, Lefty is forced from his partner’s shadow and must confront the ugly realities of frontier justice.North to Alaska
1960-11-07After striking gold in Alaska, the romantic George sends his womanizing partner Sam to bring his fiancée up from Seattle. When Sam finds that she has already married, he returns instead with Angel, a dancer originally from France.Trail of the Falcon
1968-06-21In the latter half of the 19th century, gold is discovered in the Black Hills, sacred land of the Lakota people. Gold diggers, profiteers and adventurers flock to the region. Among them is the hard-hearted land speculator Bludgeon, who tries to expel the Lakota using brutal methods. Lakota warriors retaliate, and soon the gold diggers' town becomes a battlefield.Vengeance for Vengean...
1968-09-19Major Bower’s wife tells her lover Chaliko where her father’s fortune is hidden. When the major finds out he murders her and with his gang, goes after Chaliko.The Treasure of the S...
1948-01-15Two jobless Americans convince a prospector to travel to the mountains of Mexico with them in search of gold. But the hostile wilderness, local bandits, and greed all get in the way of their journey.Sam Whiskey
1969-04-01A widow hires an ex-gambler to retrieve gold bars from a sunken river boat in Colorado and discreetly return them to the Federal Mint, from where they had been stolen by her dead husband.Justice in a Smoking ...
No data for this movieIn 1868 Goldfields Victoria, an Irish settler seeks revenge and justice from those who murdered his family.The Sisters Brothers
2018-09-19Oregon, 1851. Hermann Kermit Warm, a chemist and aspiring gold prospector, keeps a profitable secret that the Commodore wants to know, so he sends the Sisters brothers, two notorious assassins, to capture him on his way to California.Sutter's Gold
1936-03-01Story of the gold strike on an immigrant's property that started the 1849 California Gold Rush.Clear and Present Dan...
1994-08-03Agent Jack Ryan becomes acting Deputy Director of Intelligence for the CIA when Admiral Greer is diagnosed with cancer. When an American businessman, and friend of the president, is murdered on his yacht, Ryan starts discovering links between the man and drug dealers. As former CIA agent John Clark is sent to Colombia to kill drug cartel kingpins in retaliation, Ryan must fight through multiple cover-ups to figure out what happened and who's responsible.Eraser
1996-06-21U.S. Marshall John Kruger erases the identities of people enrolled in the Witness Protection Program. His current assignment is to protect Lee Cullen, who's uncovered evidence that the weapons manufacturer she works for has been selling to terrorist groups. When Kruger discovers that there's a corrupt agent within the program, he must guard his own life while trying to protect Lee's.Thankam
2023-01-26Thankam follows the story of Muthu and Kannan, two gold agents from Thrissur, known as the gold capital of India. As they travel across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, delivering consignments of gold, their lives take a dark turn when a routine trip leads to unexpected complications.Aguirre, the Wrath of...
1972-12-29A few decades after the destruction of the Inca Empire, a Spanish expedition led by the infamous Aguirre leaves the mountains of Peru and goes down the Amazon River in search of the lost city of El Dorado. When great difficulties arise, Aguirre’s men start to wonder whether their quest will lead them to prosperity or certain death.The Good, the Bad and...
1966-12-22While the Civil War rages on between the Union and the Confederacy, three men – a quiet loner, a ruthless hitman, and a Mexican bandit – comb the American Southwest in search of a strongbox containing $200,000 in stolen gold.