The Missouri Breaks [DVD]

Liked slightly different take on the wild west in Montana/ Canada.Nicholson seeks revenge& Brando's after him....perfectly suited for Arthur Penn's direction.Print quality a bit of an improvement on an ordinary dvd, but not as vivid as the photo's on the back of the case would suggest.

This isn`t really a western, more a film about a group of disparate people that happens to be set in the West. Arthur Penn was one of Hollywood`s most interesting directors once upon a time, in the 60s & 70s, and this is one of his most likeable films.Following on from his commercial and artistic success in The Godfather and Last Tango, Brando here has a part he must have relished. He`s given all the room he wants to be as eccentric, charming, devilish, expansive, witty, watchful, camp, and downright scary as he wishes. He plays Lee Clayton, a `Regulator` brought to a small Montana community by a rich rancher (played beautifully by John McLiam, an actor who seems to have disappeared) to get rid of its unruly elements by fair means or foul.But Clayton isn`t merely a freelance lawman - if he`s even that - but a law unto himself. His arrival is a ghostly one, his movements as enigmatic as his whole persona. Is this man even real? Brando plays him, most of the time, with a credible Irish lilt, except when he wants to truly intimidate members of the diffuse gang of horse thieves he`s come to run to ground, when he is as American as they are.Brando`s performance is virtuosic, not to mention utterly riveting, with his weird costumes and weirder repertoire of voices - and just wait till he starts talking to his horses - reminding me why I could never take my eyes off him in any film in those days. He was one of a kind - no wonder a generation of actors looked up to him.Nicholson is equally fine in a less showy role. In fact, he and Brando strike just the right sparks off each other in their scenes together.The other performance to treasure is courtesy of that wiry, wrily sad gentleman of American film, the wonderful Harry Dean Stanton - still with us at 86! His scenes with both Jack and Marlon are to treasure. How good to see Stanton in a part worthy of his talent; too often he was relegated to brief cameos.That superb actor Frederic Forrest is barely glimpsed, but lanky Randy Quaid, a ubiquitous actor in those days, is seen to good effect, sharing a telling scene with Brando. (How young actors must have been excited at the thought of screen time with such a legend!)The other performance that impresses is by Kathleen Lloyd, who proves a fresh and feisty partner to Nicholson in their several scenes together. She may look a little too `modern` but she acts with naturalness and humour.The film looks great, and Penn`s direction is near-faultless. Script is by Thomas McGuane, and music by none other than John Williams, post-Jaws and pre-Star Wars.In truth I`d award this about nine out of ten, so my five-star rating is perhaps generous, but if it inspires just one person to see this offbeat delight, then that`s to the good.In 1976 Brando was 52, Nicholson was 39. Both look ageless here, and Marlon looks like nothing less than a portly fallen angel. With an aim that never misses.Do see The Missouri Breaks.

Brando and Nicholson did all they could, which was a lot given their tremendous acting skills, to keep this old movie on track. Brando was evil in a distinctively decadent way. Nicholson gets in way and the movie has a fast dramatic climax. Yet the film drags on too long much of the time in terms of both plot and settings. Too many dimly lit sepia scenes at night, too many distance scenes of horses and men moving slowly through boring country.

One of many films set in the aftermath of the American Civil War, and another that shows the hardships the lil'guys had to face in trying to get by in the face of the usual rich powerful baddie lurking around. The difference here is that this "baddie" isn't totally bad (although a bit mad) and doesn't like having his horses thieved by Jack Nicholson's gang, so he hires a regulator (licensed killer) – Marlon Brando – to do something about it. It's a slow burner, not a violent film, and the intrigue builds slowly towards the showdown between the two leads who carry the film along splendidly. Brando's character is a real oddball which can mask his ruthless streak. And any film that includes the great Harry Dean Stanton is worth a view.

Probably the most enjoyable western I have ever seen. Performances by Nicholson and Brando are outstanding and the storyline always compelling.Brando shows the full range of his talent with his delivery of a multi-accented obsessive and perverse bounty hunter and manages to be unbelievable and convincing at the same time. All the supporting cast hold up their end ( as well as the train) Its a shame though that the superb cinematography is let down by a somewhat indifferent DVD transfer. It all tends to be a bit grainy , especially in the darker indoor shots and the full beauty of the film has been diminished. I have an old VHS version of this film made from TV and the quality is actually much better. This isn't bad enough to make it unenjoyable though so I'd still recommend it as a way above average view.

I have a huge interest in the old west. I consider this film to be one of the better hollywood productions. There's a lot of realism here, and some careful study of how the west was. Brando is portrayed as a legend and when he appears is somewhat of a fat lethargic eccentric back shooter. Hey, thats how many of them were. His role is entertaining. There is an underlying role of morals here, viewed from each characters point of view (they may rustle cattle and horses, but they ain't wantin to be train robbers). One of the reviews was critical and I'd tend to disagree, I enjoyed it.

Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson in fine form. Definitely some 'method' acting here.Nicholson runs a gang of horse thieves and Brando is a hired killer of such men. He prefers to do it from long distance with a buffalo gun so they never see death coming.

A very good western, with great actors. Brando is magic but Nicholson almost Nick's it. Excellent.