One-Eyed Jacks

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…

_**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…

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…