MovieChat Forums > Queimada (1970) Discussion > Brando's 'Best Performance'

Brando's 'Best Performance'

posted 18 years ago by aybayb
40 replies | jump to latest

In response to a question during a Larry King interview, Brando claimed this was his best performance EVER. Rather than allowing Brando to tell us why he considered it his best, Mr. King (as is his wont) interrupted Brando in mid-sentence and changed the subject to ask him something trivial and inane. I've never forgiven Larry King for that.

I had always considered it as Brando's best. He even LOOKED beautiful in it! The movie, itself, is a brilliant study on the subjects of Imperialism/Colonialism/Capitalism. I think it should be REQUIRED viewing for every high school student in America; and it is particularly relevant to the USA's current fiasco in Iraq...and its pending fiascos elsewhere in the world on behalf of the mega-corporations that dictate America's foreign policies.

"The risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom."

[–] Gloede_The_Saint 15 years ago

It's my favorite Brando appearance but I would like to know Brandos own reasons.

Somebody here has been drinking and I'm sad to say it ain't me - Allan Francis Doyle

[–] aybayb 15 years ago

I hear you, gloede; but, like I said, that idiot Larry King interrupted him before Brando could say anything about it. From what I understand Brando's personal experience in making the film was VERY turbulent and unpleasant, due to problems with the director.

That makes it far more interesting to hear what Brando's feelings were about the movie itself. I suspect that, given that the film was quite radical and quite topical for the time, Brando saw it as a vehicle for expressing his own anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist views.

"The risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom."

[–] misterjb 15 years ago

In his autobiography, I believe he stated he did some of his best acting in this movie and was upset that people considered "The Godfather" his comeback because it was financially successful and not "Burn!" which was a good movie but not a financial success.

Recently, I have noticed modern actors, in close up, looking at another actor (usually offscreen) moving their eyes back and forth as if they are searching the eyes or face of the person they are speaking to. I seem to remember Brando doing this in "The Men" and I just saw him do this in "Burn!" Can it be said that Brando invented this technique?

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] TooManyFives 14 years ago

Not everyone gets him. I think he is intensely good though.

He was always super critical about his acting, infact he only became an actor because it was the only thing he had ever been told he was any good at. I am reading "Songs my mother taught me" at the moment, a brilliant book for anyone who enjoys his work and would like to find out more about him. I am currently on the chapter about this film and i haven't seen the film but thats what made me come to this board and have a look. I have ordered it from Amazon.

Brando says that after Kazan (Streetcar, Waterfront, Zapata) the director of this film was the best he worked with. Although they did not get on and Brando would do everything he could to try and anoy him (the purple scalf was part of this).

[–] oscarinca 14 years ago

You got to watch Brando's interviews. The man WAS INTENSE and liked to listen before making his statements. I've also read his interviews and he was very well educated plus spoke fluent French and a bit of other languages as well. It seems to me he never "acted" but allowed his innerself to burst out. Stanislavsky Russian method is also about this, letting your own emotions to unravel. digging inside out.

All the time it was him in the movies, whether mumbling, lifting one eyebrow or getting angry. He could adopt mannerisms like the suave bulldog face in Godfather and mimic accents like this effeteness of an upperclass English dandy dressed in white & purple. In "Apocalypse Now" I think Coppola allowed him to improvise his dialogues and the man even swallowed a bug.

I agree he looks fantastic unshaved with blonde long hair.

There's a thin gap between skepticism and cynicism

[–] fanaticita 13 years ago

SPOILERS*****

I saw this film about 15 years ago, and then again last night. I'd forgotten what a difficult film it is to watch in its entirety. So much violence, betrayal, etc. I do think it was one of Brando's best performances if not the best. Towards the end I really got the feeling that he had a conscience after all, but was unable to do anything to put it at ease. He was a mercenary, yes, but maybe in this case his feelings confounded him. Of course, Jose Dolores chose his own path rather that be further exploited by Walker, much to Walker's dismay, I think. The look on his face at the end when someone said, "Your bags, sir?", conveyed it all. Don't you think so?

[–] kidjay83 12 years ago

yeah it is "one" of his great performances i watched this movie saturday and brando is compelling his role. It just pulls you in and latches on till the movie is over .Especially the scene where brando is degrading the slave .He asks him if his mother is a whore .Incredible the way he gets into his psyche like that

[–] Lordbyron_r 12 years ago

in my mind it is definitely ONE of his best performances, although i thought he was better in Last Tango in paris, Streetcar, On the waterfront, Godfather, and Apocalypse Now).

Like most roles he played; Brando really shows what acting is all about in this movie.

[–] kidjay83 12 years ago

i actually have to agree after watching this film .i was blown away by his performance so freaking compelling. It's frightening how believable this man is in his performances.He just completely selflessly gives himself to each role ;the real incredible thing about brando the actor was that he supposedly got lazy over the years.Just imagine what he would of done at his fullest potential :yikes: if i was and aspiring actor i'd quit . My profession and do something else

[–] sdjturner 11 years ago

I disagree totally regarding Brando's performance in this film. He's certainly not helped by a clunky script and heavy handed direction but I found his acting unconvincing and his over the top English accent frankly hilarious.

[–] kidjay83 11 years ago

I agree i think this was a better performance than don vito corleone.Burn is in my top 5 fav performances from brando.

You see things; and you say,But I dream things that never were; and I say Why not?

[–] suicidea 10 years ago

When I picked up his autobiography, I immediately jumped to the chapter about Burn! I was curious to read what he had to say about this film more than anything else. It's a unique movie in his filmography.

I also feel that this is one of his best performances. I don't like comparing actors or performances, rating them "this is better than that" blah blah, as if it's a scientific approach. But I think this is a part where the fine line between the actor and the character is completely lost, if you know what I mean. He completely becomes the character.

For those who think that the editing is messy and that the film drags on a bit, you may be right. But the locations, Evaristo Márquez's acting (a non-actor, yet much better than many real actors) the wonderful color palette and the incredible score make up for the film's deficiencies.

Never be complete.

[–] kidjay83 10 years ago

Yeah i agree this is what i would consider marlon's magnum opus .

You see things; and you say,But I dream things that never were; and I say Why not?

[–] coolbrett 9 years ago

I can see why he would think this is his best performance. I agree. He did the British accent so well it seemed like he was born with it. You really believed he was this character with that background and that job. I think this performance was the one he put most effort and dedication into.

[–] slimone (7996) 7 years ago

In his autobiography, Songs My Mother Taught Me, Brando also said that he felt this was his best performance. Those were his personal feelings. Frankly, I've been a long-time Brando fan and I can't think of one film of his that I didn't like. He was a brilliant actor.