Viva Zapata! (1952)
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Synopsis of Viva Zapata!
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, All Movie Guide
Complete Cast of Viva Zapata!
- Marlon Brando - Emiliano Zapata
- Anthony Quinn - Eufemio Zapata
- Arnold Moss - Don Nacio
- Alan Reed, Sr. - Pancho Villa
- Lou Gilbert - Pablo
- Frank Silvera - Huerta
- Florenz Ames - Senor Espejo
- Frank de Kova - Col. Guajardo
- Richard Garrick - Old General
- Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. - Officer
- Will Kuluva - Lazaro
- Philip Van Zandt - Extra
- Henry Silva - Peon who challenges "president" Zapata
- Fernanda Eliscu - Fuentes' Wife
- Peter Mamakos - Soldier
- George Lewis - Rurale
- Guy Thomajan - Eduardo
- Ric Roman - Manager
- Jean Peters - Josefa Espejo
- Joseph Wiseman - Fernando Aguirre
- Margo - Soldadera
- Harold Gordon - Don Francisco Madero
- Mildred Dunnock - Senora Espejo
- Nina Varela - Aunt
- Bernie Gozier - Zapatista
- Pedro Regas - Innocente
- Fay Roope - Diaz
- Leonard George - Husband
- Abner Biberman - Captain
- Henry Corden - Senior Officer
- Julia Montoya - Wife
- Joseph Granby - Gen. Fuentes
- Belle Mitchell - Nacio's Wife
- Robert Filmer - Captain
- Nestor Paiva - New General
- Director(s):
- Elia Kazan
- Writer(s):
- John Steinbeck
- Producer(s):
- Darryl F. Zanuck
- 1952 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Foreign Actor
- 1952 - Cannes Film Festival - Best Actor
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