Brando's planned ending for this film (changed by studio)
I think highly of this film but one thing that always bothered me about it is the "Hollywood ending" where Rio escapes and though he doesn't ride off with Louisa, there is the more or less assumption that he will come back and get her.
On the IMDB Comments for this film, "Guy Lazazus", says the following:
"In Brando's cut, Dad's last shot meant for Rio hits his step-daughter Louisa instead, killing her and thus leaving Rio with nothing in the end. The studio used the alternative ending where Rio and Louisa have an emotional parting at the beach, and Rio promises to return to her."
Do you believe this would be a better ending?
By the way, "Guy Lazarus" has a number of interesting revelations about the film. For instance he says: "In a development that seemingly foreshadows his future personal life, Brando had an affair on-set with Pina Pellicer, who later committed suicide. Their scenes together are quite affecting as they are emotionally true."
About Brando's editing, "Guy Lazarus" says:
"The film took over a year to edit after principal photography ended in 1959. Eventually, the studio took the film away from Brando and recut it to their own tastes. Brando reportedly did not object, becoming fed-up with editing after spending so much time trying to perfect his film. He did complain, after the fact, that the studio cut took away the moral ambiguity he sought for his character. Brando said that all the characters in the film but Dad Longworth, the ostensible heavy, are two faced -- "one-eyed jacks," with one face on top, the public face, and another face that is hidden. Although Rio accuses Dad of being a "one-eyed jack," to Brando, Dad was the only one who was honest in the film. "
Interesting, huh!