Wow. I've had a good print of this for 2-3 years, and just decided today to watch it 'big screen'. For no reason whatsoever, I decided to attempt to understand what Brando was looking to make, as opposed to what Paramount finished, or Kubrick was involved with.
For the record, Kubrick leaving makes this the 'missed opportunity' of All-Time Hollywood, IMO.
As others have stated, clearly there are entire chunks of storyline missing. I believe Marlon went in there and tried to fully develop 6-7 characters in this film. (example...the Tim Carey character. He's well known to Dad, and at the 'Chili Scene' he has anice big shiner...from where?) It seems to me a few of the characters (as edited) enter the film already developed. His Mexican partner, Dad's wife, even Lon. Luisa seems to 'grow' emotionally in between the scenes we see her. I believe Brando's cut of this would have been four hours long. This was because he was developing a common theme for them all.
The film is called "One Eyed Jacks"....plural! What Marlon was 'directing', through all of the scenes, day in, day out, was the idea every character had two faces to show. Take the business of Rio sleeping with Luisa. Luisa (pure) lies to Dad and her mother (also played fairly pure). Dad asks Mom to find out the truth, and tell him. The girl lies to Mom, Mom KNOWS IT, and in turn lies to her husband.
Everyone, even the good guys, are full of....you know what. In fact, the film, as cut, purest characters are the gang. Amory, the other guy, and Rio's jail pal.
But, as the film is edited, you know there was a ton of backstory with Rio's jail pal, as well. I mean, yeah, I grasp that they escaped from jail together, but through their interaction, it is clear there were more scenes between them on the floor.
Flawed? How about this train of thought. Kubrick was planning his 'duality of man' theme we saw developed later in "Full Metal Jacket". Marlon stepped in and tried to 'flesh out fully' every major character. This would have somewhat contradicted Kubricks style of coldness towards 'dramatic stereotypes'. Also, bare in mind, it has been said that Brando intended the ending to be completely ambiguous.
Then, when Marlon couldn't stand the pressure of editing, Paramount had to 'create' a cohesive story out of all this.
I think Marlons 4 hour 'drama' would have been a fascinating bit of film history for film geeks, but would have been DOA at the box office.
Paramount probably tried to put the ambitious vision together, but couldn't come up with a cohesive version that moved.
So what they wound up doing was this: They decided to atempt two dramatic character arcs. The Brando/Malden characters are given coinciding arcs, and all the other film/characters become plot aids. The Pina Pellicer character becomes the device that 'changes' Rio, even though her character was probably much fuller on script. And because she is the pivotal change device, she garners more film time then feels right....because there always seems to be something missing, owing to interactions involving the other characters, all of which we don't see, as they've been edited out.
Paramounts other choice would have been to edit together a simple revenge movie. This may have even played better at the box office. I'm glad they went the way they did.
For instance......here's an edit I can imagine being done.
The film opens much the same as it does, up until Rio gets captured.
Now spend about another 10 minutes in the jail, where Rio is brooding with his compadre, steaming inside. They plan their escape.
He meets Amory, goes up to Monterey. You can do the whole 'Dinner at Dads, Town Party' segueway without affecting the film. Rio seduces Luisa, the following morning, he tells her he's shamed her...and FADE THERE. She has no response. She is now just a plot tool to show Rio getting even with Dad. Now splice in either the bank robbery or the killing of Tim Carey....any reason to put Rio in jail. Get the gun on the table....get a distraction to get Lon out of the room, you can do the whole 'tension scene' involving Rio getting the gun.
He gets out, Dad and Rio shoot it out. I'm sure versions were shot with both dying. Or it wouldn't surprise me.
No love interest, not much focus on Amory, no whipping, broken hands, recovery.
Or maybe get the whippings in there, somehow.
But my point is, it seems to me Paramount made an attempt to give us something other than a simple revenge/shoot 'em up, which they could have.
OK, my very flawed writing style gives all sorts of 'flaws' in this film.
BTW, I love this movie....I really do, one of my favs.
Peace
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