Watch One-Eyed Jacks

One-Eyed Jacks is a 1961 Western film directed by and starring Marlon Brando. The movie centers around the story of two outlaws, Rio (Marlon Brando) and Dad Longworth (Karl Malden) who rob a bank in Mexico, with Rio ultimately getting betrayed by Dad Longworth and left to be captured by the authorities while Dad Longworth gets away with the money.

Rio spends the next five years in a Mexican prison before finally managing to escape and make his way back to California to seek revenge. Along the way, he meets a Mexican woman named Louisa (Pina Pellicer) who he saves from her abusive boss, leading the two of them to fall in love.

Once he reaches California, Rio discovers that Dad Longworth has become a town sheriff and marries a wealthy woman named Maria. Rio forms a plan to get back at Dad Longworth, but the plan proves to be more difficult than he had anticipated, ultimately resulting in a final confrontation between the former partners.

One-Eyed Jacks, which is based on the novel The Authentic Death of Hendry Jones by Charles Neider, is unique in its portrayal of the Western genre. Unlike most Western films of the time, One-Eyed Jacks delves into the psychological complexities of its characters, revealing the inner demons that drive their actions. The film is a study in betrayal, revenge, and unresolved emotions.

Marlon Brando, who directed the film after original director Stanley Kubrick was fired, gives a commanding performance as Rio. His brooding presence is felt throughout the film as he seeks revenge against Dad Longworth. Karl Malden is equally effective as Dad Longworth, playing a character who is both despicable and pitiable at the same time.

Pina Pellicer delivers a strong performance as Louisa, bringing an element of innocence and hope to the film. Her character provides a necessary balance to the darker themes of the movie.

The cinematography in One-Eyed Jacks is breathtaking, with the film's beautiful landscapes serving as a striking backdrop to the story. The film's use of color is also notable, with the vivid hues serving to underscore the emotional intensity of the story.

One-Eyed Jacks is a film that defies easy categorization. It is a Western, but it is also a character study, a revenge tale, and a love story. It is a film that deserves to be seen by anyone who is a fan of the genre or who appreciates great filmmaking. While it may not have enjoyed the same level of success as other Westerns of the era, One-Eyed Jacks remains a unique and powerful entry in the genre.

One-Eyed Jacks is a 1961 western with a runtime of 2 hours and 21 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.