A good way to start to learn Mexican history
So many of us know so little about Mexican history. Seeing this film is a darned good way to start learning it. And Brando is stunningly beautiful as Zapata.
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not exactly. a lot of things in this movie are not historically accurate. i guess if you want to learn hollywood's version of Mexican history it's good.
shareIt was meant to be a drama not a documentary. The screenplay was by one of modern America's finest writers, John Steinbeck. I think they captured the spirit of the Mexican Revolution and the betrayal of it by its leaders very well.
It also transcends the actual history to become a morality play about all revolutions. Other commentators on this thread have mentioned that the director, Elia Kazan, had testified against communist sympathizers in the entertainment industry during the McCarthy hearings. Hollywood's stalinists never forgave him and he didn't do as many movies as he might have. He still stands undoubtedly, among the greatest directors of all time.
PBS did a great 3 hour documentary on Mexico back in the late 80's. It covered the period from Porfirio Diaz up to the election of Carlos Salinas de Gortari. I wish they would make it available on DVD, it was excellent. Or pick up anything by Enrique Krauze for reading Mexican history.