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IMDbPro

Viva Zapata!

  • 19521952
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Marlon Brando, Anthony Quinn, and Jean Peters in Viva Zapata! (1952)
Watch ’Trailer’
Play trailer3:01
1 Video
82 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • History
The story of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, who led a rebellion against the corrupt, oppressive dictatorship of President Porfirio Díaz in the early 20th century.The story of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, who led a rebellion against the corrupt, oppressive dictatorship of President Porfirio Díaz in the early 20th century.The story of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, who led a rebellion against the corrupt, oppressive dictatorship of President Porfirio Díaz in the early 20th century.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
11K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Elia Kazan
  • Writers
    • John Steinbeck
    • Edgecumb Pinchon(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Marlon Brando
    • Jean Peters
    • Anthony Quinn
Top credits
  • Director
    • Elia Kazan
  • Writers
    • John Steinbeck
    • Edgecumb Pinchon(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Marlon Brando
    • Jean Peters
    • Anthony Quinn
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 61User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 3 wins & 9 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:01
    Trailer

    Photos82

    "Viva Zapata" Marlon Brando
    "Viva Zapata" Marlon Brando
    "Viva Zapata" Marlon Brando, Anthony Quinn
    Marlon Brando in "Viva Zapata" 1952 20th Century Fox
    Marlon Brando in "Viva Zapata" 1952 20th Century Fox
    Marlon Brando in "Viva Zapata" 1952 20th Century Fox
    "Viva Zapata" Marlon Brando © 1952 20th Century Fox
    "Viva Zapata" Marlon Brando (Publicity Photo) © 1952 20th Century Fox
    "Viva Zapata" Marlon Brando
    "Viva Zapata" Marlon Brando
    Viva Zapata! (1952)
    Marlon Brando in Viva Zapata! (1952)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Marlon Brando
    Marlon Brando
    • Emiliano Zapataas Emiliano Zapata
    Jean Peters
    Jean Peters
    • Josefa Zapataas Josefa Zapata
    Anthony Quinn
    Anthony Quinn
    • Eufemio Zapataas Eufemio Zapata
    Joseph Wiseman
    Joseph Wiseman
    • Fernando Aguirreas Fernando Aguirre
    Arnold Moss
    Arnold Moss
    • Don Nacioas Don Nacio
    Alan Reed
    Alan Reed
    • Pancho Villaas Pancho Villa
    Margo
    Margo
    • Soldaderaas Soldadera
    Harold Gordon
    • Francisco Indalecio Maderoas Francisco Indalecio Madero
    Lou Gilbert
    • Pabloas Pablo
    Frank Silvera
    Frank Silvera
    • Victoriano Huertaas Victoriano Huerta
    Florenz Ames
    Florenz Ames
    • Senor Espejoas Senor Espejo
    Richard Garrick
    Richard Garrick
    • Old Generalas Old General
    Fay Roope
    Fay Roope
    • Diazas Diaz
    Mildred Dunnock
    Mildred Dunnock
    • Senora Espejoas Senora Espejo
    Rico Alaniz
    Rico Alaniz
    • Guardas Guard
    • (uncredited)
    Daniel Armijo
    • Undetermined Secondary Roleas Undetermined Secondary Role
    • (uncredited)
    Ross Bagdasarian
    Ross Bagdasarian
    • Officeras Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Salvador Baguez
    • Soldieras Soldier
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Elia Kazan
    • Writers
      • John Steinbeck
      • Edgecumb Pinchon(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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
      Emiliano Zapata's 'dead body' is heavily breathing and changes positions between different shots.
    • Quotes

      President Porfirio Diaz: These matters take time. You must be patient.

      Emiliano Zapata: With your permission, my President, we make our tortillas with corn, not patience.

    • Crazy credits
      Opening credits prologue: Mexico-1909

      A delegation of Indians from the State of Morelos have come to the Capital for an audience with their President, Porfirio Diaz.
    • Connections
      Featured in Marlon Brando: Wild One (1994)

    User reviews61

    Review
    Top review
    Hollywood Does the Mexican Revolution
    No need to recap the plot. The movie works best as a cautionary tale on the seductions of political power. We see a succession of Mexican presidents exploit the corrupting opportunities power provides, including the tragically conflicted General Madero. Even Zapata (Brando) gets a timely reminder from an aggrieved peasant (Henry Silva), at the same time his brother (Quinn) succumbs to the temptations. The ending itself remains powerfully symbolic.

    Unfortunately, the movie stumbles outside of the cautionary context. The narrative itself comes across as disjointed, at best, John Steinbeck or no. Major developments, such as game changing wars, are either left out or only briefly alluded to, while too much of the dialog is that clunky pseudo-poetic phrasing Hollywood identified with noble primitives. Then too, director Kazan achieves little of the dramatic intensity he was famous for. Likely, he was hampered by the broad historical canvas that had to be crowded into a relatively brief space.

    Which leads to Kazan's most famous protégé, the redoubtable Marlon Brando, who appears to have swallowed a lemon since his entire performance consists of a single sour expression. We realize the burdens of peasant liberation are great, but does it have to be quite so tedious. On the other hand, Quinn projects enough boisterous personality for them both, becoming as tiresome in its own way as Brando's one note. However, neither of the stars can compete with the outrageous over-acting of Florenz Ames as the snooty father.

    Nevertheless, there are some good scenes, especially where Kazan choreographs the latent power of the peasantry. But on the whole, the movie is a disappointing follow-up to the previous year's Streetcar…. Looks to me like the lesson may be that action features are not the best venue for stage directors and actors, no matter how good they are.
    helpful•6
    3
    • dougdoepke
    • Feb 12, 2012

    FAQ1

    • Why isn't there a Region 1 US DVD available? Is there a rights issue or something?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 13, 1952 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Zapata
    • Filming locations
      • Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, Durango, Colorado, USA
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,800,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Marlon Brando, Anthony Quinn, and Jean Peters in Viva Zapata! (1952)
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