MovieChat Forums > This Sporting Life (1963) Discussion > Harris and Brando

Harris and Brando

posted 18 years ago by randomposter123
14 replies | jump to latest

I'm sure this has been widely noted before, but Harris' entire performance in this movie was an imitation of Brando! Most notable are the long moody stares and silent reactions (a la 'One the Waterfront') and the brutal flashes of anger, especially in the house (a la 'A Streetcar Named Desire'). Now I know Brando was a huge inspiration to many actors at the time and indeed still now - but Harris' performance was SO like Brando that I couldn't take it seriously. Especially as Brando was far more gifted an actor as Harris (no offence to any Harris fans out there).

I guess it's worth noted that Harris had worked with Brando the previous year in 'Mutiny on the Bounty', so I guess he tried to learn some tips!

Armstrong and Bain are the true legends

[–] wmarkley 17 years ago

I agree that Harris seemed to be mimicking Brando. Without having read about this movie beforehand, this was one of my biggest impressions while watching it. I think the movie has some very good elements, but its not as great as some others imply.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] onepotato2 17 years ago

I agree. I was rolling my eyes over how little orginality ha had. Brando would play the sub-text. Harris just postures vacantly... but Anderson doesn't exacly ask for much more.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] EdenTrask 14 years ago

I too was very much reminded of Brando when I saw Harris's performance in this film in some scenes the physical resemblance was uncanny.

[–] Blondfashionisto 14 years ago

A British Brando! And, he was certainly dishy...

‘Six inches is perfectly adequate; more is vulgar!' (Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Re: An open window).

[–] peybak 14 years ago

I saw this movie recently and couldn't help noting the resemblance of Harris performance to Brando's famous, earlier works. It's a good movie but that's what sticks out in my mind...

[–] mcmullanbrush 14 years ago

I concur

[–] davidtraversa-1 13 years ago

David Traversa. Would you believe I was going to post the question you posted already?? I just saw it at the very last moment!
I agree completely with you. From the very start of the picture Harris even LOOKS like a replicant of Brando!
The way he purses his lips all the time, pouting (also like Elke Sommer) makes one think that he was camera conscious and also conscious of his physical atractiveness.
But then, I'm sure Brando in his turn, got ideas from a previous actor..., it's a daisy chain all the way.

[–] nutsberryfarm 11 years ago

sorta but not really.

Veneration of Mark Twain is one of the roots of our current intellectual stalemate

[–] Keanu_the_Dude 8 years ago

A 100% yes. I couldn't believe my *beep* eyes when I saw his perfromance in this. I thought it was a joke at first.

[–] fugazzi49 9 years ago

I see it very much in his facial expressions, especially in closeups.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] 9 years ago

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