spookyrat1 A curious little western with only three things going for it: Marlon Brando in the lead role, an energetic, though somewhat stereotypical supporting performance from John Saxon as his Mexican adversary (he went on to play further Mexican roles whilst not being of Mexican heritage) and the fine looking steed of the film's title (though oddly, it really only appears in limited scenes).Unfortunately the film ends up being quite dull with little action and interminably long and repetitive conversational scenes that annoy through the overuse of extreme close-ups of the characters' faces. Director Furie was obviously attempting to ape Sergio Leone, but fails miserably, particularly in his staging of the few "action scenes" in the movie. As he did in his previous film, The Ipcress File, he insists on filming at odd angles, long distances and behind other objects to virtually empty these scenes of any excitement they may have fostered, if handled by more talented directors.The film ends up being drained of all life and I for one can understand why Brando apparently had very little time for it. Be prepared for disappointment.

classicsoncall One doesn't think of Marlon Brando as a Western movie actor, but he had his share, just as Jimmy Stewart and Fred MacMurray had theirs. Brando also directed "One Eyed Jacks" in which he starred, though my personal favorite would be "The Missouri Breaks", even if he didn't make it to the end of that picture. "The Appaloosa" came in between those two in a stretch that lasted well over a decade.This is a serviceable Western with Brando's character Mateo seeking revenge on the Mexican outlaw that shamed him with a rope drag through the mud and stole his horse, the appaloosa of the title. Surprisingly, John Saxon makes for an effective bandido with his well coiffed mustache, surrounded by henchmen who do his bidding without question. Anjanette Comer portrays Chuy Medina's (Saxon) less than willing woman, using whatever screen time she has planning a break from the bad guy with or without the help of Mateo.Probably the most interesting scene here is one that's pretty unique and just as creative. With Mateo a virtual prisoner, Medina offers him his freedom if he can beat the Mexican outlaw at an arm wrestling contest. This would have been bizarre enough given the dynamic of the story, but it's given added appeal by the placement of scorpions on the challenge surface, with the loser facing a poisonous sting of disappointment when his arm hits the table.The description of the film on the cable channel where I saw it listed Brando as former buffalo hunter Matt Fletcher; where all that came from I have no idea. Don't confuse this film with 2008's "Appaloosa" with Ed Harris and Viggo Mortenson, the latter one is not a remake. Given the title of this story, I had to marvel at the fact that the actual horse for which it's named doesn't have a lot to do or have a very prominent role in the picture. But he did have his moment when the appaloosa nodded his approval after the dust cleared and Mateo out shot the Mexican bully on the hillside. Come to think of it, Brando's character pulled off two lucky shots that day.

Wuchak This is Brando's 'spaghetti Western,' released at the height of that sub-genre's popularity in 1966, but only in terms of style since the film was shot in California and Utah rather than Spain. The Southwestern scenery is spectacular and worth the price of admission. Imagine one of Sergio Leone's spaghetti Westerns but with gritty realism rather than goofiness and you'd have a good idea of what the film's like."The Appaloosa" is essentially a revenge tale entailing Brando's trip to Mexico to get his horse back. John Saxon stars as the villain who steals Brando's horse after beating him up while in a drunken stupor. Ajanette Comer plays the babe.I wasn't all that impressed with the story the first time I saw it, especially since I compared it with Brando's Western masterpiece "One-Eyed Jacks" (a powerful precursor to the spaghetti Western and the only film Marlon directed). The story in "The Appaloosa" is rather slow-paced with few action scenes. I saw it again recently and it dawned on me that the director and writer were not shooting for a run-of-the-mill Western. In the mid-to-late 60's it became fashionable to make films as gritty and realistic as possible. (Brando's "The Night of the Following Day" from 1968 is a good example). What would happen in REAL life if a man went to Mexico in the late 1800's and tried to retrieve his stolen horse? This picture shows you. Consider the confrontation-in-a-saloon scene; we naturally expect it to end in a clichéd brawl or shoot-out. It doesn't. In other words, it sneers at Western conventions. Or how about the final shoot-out? Some have complained that it's uneventful and quick, yet isn't this the way such death-duels end in real life most of the time? In short, don't expect "The Appaloosa" to play like a Hollywood blockbuster or typical spaghetti Western with corny one-liners and goofy action scenes.Another thing I like about the film is the Brando Character's relationship with his adopted Mexican family, which shows genuine kinship and warmth that transcends blood ties. Same thing with his relationship with an old man in Mexico.So "The Appaloosa" is worthwhile, but the story drags and holds it back from greatness. Still, if you're in the mood for a Mexican Western with slow-moving realism, look no further.GRADE: C+ or B- Brando made two other Westerns and both are masterpieces, albeit totally different: The aforementioned "One-Eyed Jacks" from 1961 and "The Missouri Breaks", which was released 15 years later and co-stars Jack Nicholson. Brando played one of his most fascinating characters in the latter, an eccentric loner who takes jobs killing horse thieves.

Spikeopath The Appaloosa (AKA: Southwest to Sonora) is directed by Sidney J. Furie and adapted by James Bridges and Roland Kibbee from Robert MacLeod's novel. It stars Marlon Brando, Anjanette Comer, John Saxon, Emilio Fernández and Miriam Colon. Music is by Frank Skinner and cinematography by Russell Metty.Plot finds Brando as Matt Fletcher, a Mexican-American buffalo hunter who returns to his home town of Ojo Prieto seeking to start a cleaner life. But when he is accused of a crime he didn't commit, he is harassed and humiliated by bandit general Chuy Medina (Saxon) who steals his horse - the appaloosa of the title - this puts in motions the wheels of revenge as he sets about recovering his beloved horse and lost pride.Few things are as divisive when talk turns to Marlon Brando as that involving his Western output. One person will often stand up to announce One Eyed Jacks as being near genius, the next guy will call it a garbled mess. The Missouri Breaks receives much scorn, but some, myself included, actually like the quirky nature of it. The Appaloosa is not a great film, interesting for sure, with the odd fleeting moment of inspiration, but otherwise it's a dull affair.Brando is actually darn great in it, Matt Fletcher calls for a brooding, almost morose like, portrayal, so who better than Marlon? Saddle him up with a vengeance driven motive and bingo! You got Brando lifting the picture to at least watchable heights. But Furie seems to think he is Orson Welles, and you sense that Brando thinks the director is as well. Up close and personal camera work and angled shots are clearly meant to infuse picture with sweaty claustrophobia and psychological smarts, but they just come off as being in the wrong film since story just isn't that interesting to begin with and many scenes just taper off into nothing.Metty's Technicolor photography is most appealing at what looks to me like Durango, Mexico, further adding irritants that the picture as a whole is not better. Rest of the cast are fine, with the Latino actors holding their own with their parts of an uninspiring script and Saxon turns in a good one as a bandido bastard. An arm wrestling scene over a scorpion is genuine class, and tension driven, while the snow capped final shoot-out is not without merit. But ultimately the highlights are rare and not even a brooding Brando can make this a safe recommendation to Western fans.Character's motivations and inspiration is strong. Film, however, is not. 5/10