The 8 movies that defined Marlon Brando’s career

Marlon Brando is largely regarded as an actor who changed Hollywood forever, thanks to his contributions to film and performances in some of the greatest movies of all time. Throughout his career, it seemed that Brando understood what made a good script and which directors he would best work with, because the projects he sought almost always garnered significant attention and accolades. Although there is much more to a performer’s legacy than how many awards they win, Brando is consistently recognized for his work and is often singled out as one of the greatest actors of his generation.

Much of his early acting work and training was on stage at the theater, which informed much of Brando’s success. Some of his early projects were film adaptations of stage plays, easing the transition from theater to the movies. Many of ​​Marlon Brando’s best movies feature him in classic roles that highlight his ability to play the ordinary character from the wrong side of the tracks. HoweverAs Brando aged, he received further opportunities to explore different characters and lend his talent to some of the most iconic projects of the 20th century.

8

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

Like Stanley Kowalski

In many ways, Brando owes much of his success to A streetcar named desirelike The actor was still unknown when cast as Stanley in the original Broadway production. However, his incredible performance as the ruthless and complex Stanley quickly turned heads and led to his casting in the film adaptation. While Tram Memorable because of Tennessee Williams’ iconic script, the actor’s performances are what bring the story’s tragedy and emotional heart to life.

Although Brando was nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards for playing Stanley, he did not win, despite the fact that it is retrospectively considered one of his greatest roles and performances. However, the film successfully catapulted Brando to stardom and helped establish the types of characters he would continue to play throughout his career. A streetcar named desire is a seminal work of film, and Brando’s chemistry with Vivien Leigh makes their scenes together enrapturing.

7

Julius Caesar (1953)

Like Mark Antonio

Most actors of Brando’s caliber take on a work of Shakespeare before their careers are over, and Brando portrays Mark Antony with astonishing results. Starring alongside James Mason as Brutus and Louis Calhern as Caesar, Julius Caesar Was primed for success, also boasted Joseph L. Mankiewicz as the director of the picture. While there are many great movies based on Shakespeare’s plays, Julius Caesar is a true adaptation. The project is a strong iteration of the writer’s work and was Another film adaptation of a stage production in which Brando excelled.

Once again nominated for Best Actor, Brando did not win but was universally praised for his role as Antonio. It was wise to move on A Streetcar named desire to Julius CaesarHow it helped prevent Brando from being typecast as a brutish character who was less intellectual. Julius Caesar Showed a new side of the actor to critics and audiences, Helping him be taken more seriously as a performer in the future.

6

The Savage (1953)

Like Johnny Strubler

If there was one film that helped foster the “bad boy” persona for Brando even more than A streetcar named desireIt was The wild one. From the iconic costume to every aspect of Johnny’s character, The wild one In the 1950s it became a cultural touchstone for youth counterculture. The film is considered revolutionary for how it touches on the rising popularity of motorcycle gangs and the violence that was brewing in those spheres during the 50s.

While this isn’t his most critically acclaimed performance, and the movie isn’t as well-remembered as his other works, there’s still a lot to recommend about The wild one. Johnny is a character with such a great personality that he has been copied and satirized many times, As with most of Brando’s best characters. However, nothing comes close to the original, as Brando taps into something poignant and real beneath his bravado as Johnny in The wild one.

5

On the Waterfront (1954)

Like Terry Malloy

The brutal but ultimately uplifting story of On the waterfront is one of the best pieces of cinema that Brando has been a part of. like terry, Brando carefully portrays the crisis of conscience and the slow realization that he must step up and do the right thing. On the waterfront Exemplifies all the best parts of Brando’s early career, and it’s no wonder he was singled out for his performance. However, his costars, Karl Malden and Eva Marie Saint, are great scene partners who help appeal to Terry to stand up to the corrupt union leaders he fights in the movie.

On the waterfront Earned Brando his first Oscar win for Best Actor, and the film itself won for Best Picture. Brando’s work in On the waterfront has been cited as a landmark moment for acting and cinema. When watching On the waterfront Today, it is difficult to argue how The message and the emotional appeal of the film land just as strongly in a contemporary context. Brando is truly a master at work when playing Terry, giving everything he has to the role.

4

One-Eyed Jacks (1961)

Like Rio

Although Brando did not star in many Westerns during his time in Hollywood, Those he gave his name to make their sign. One-eyed jacks is an underrated Western that should be better remembered, not just because Brando stars in the film as Rio, the criminal in search of revenge, then redemption. Although it is somewhat difficult to shake the memory of Brando’s performances in more contemporary works, he quickly disappears into the role of Rio and is comfortable in the world of the West.

One-eyed jacks Is a western movie where the hero is terrifying, like Rio is a formidable protagonist who pulls no punches in his treatment of his enemies. However, the villain in One-eyed jacksTate Longworth (Carl Malden), is worthy of Rio’s sorrow. While much of One-eyed jacks Unfolding in the style of a typical western, it is the morally ambiguous and complicated Rio that makes this movie worth watching. Brando, as always, excels when he plays a man with a dark side.

3

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)

Like Fletcher Christian

Courage on the generosity was something of a departure for Brando, As it was a project set in the sea and was a distinctly action-oriented film. While he has been in many action and drama movies, Courage on the generosity was a new challenge. That’s not to say that Fletcher Christian isn’t a complex role that Brando made the most of. Based on the novel of the same name by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall, Courage on the generosity Goes to Brando’s Christian when he arrests a mutiny against the captain.

Although it has yet to receive some critical and audience reappraisal, Courage on the generosity is also memorable because it was a significant flop for Brando. Although most of his projects succeed only by having his name attached to them, this is not the case with Courage on the generosity. generally, Brando’s performance is considered a bright spot, but it became a turning point for the actor. in the wake of Courage on the generosityHe took on some of his most experimental and enduring roles.

2

The Godfather (1972)

Like Vito Corleone

Although Brando’s screen time in The godfather is not as much as the audience might think, He makes the most of every moment he’s on screen. Every moment in the film is informed by Vito and, by extension, Brando’s performance. Every other character is thinking about it and how their actions will reflect on their relationship with Vito. Brando’s portrayal of the character set the tone for the remaining films. The fact that he lent his reputation and expertise to the project added to the atmosphere of his scenes.

The godfather May be the role Brando is best known for and will be remembered for for years to come. The godfather Trilogy has not wavered in its popularity or success since the first movie premiered in 1972 and is still considered a touchstone for the gangster genre. The film set the careers of many creatives on new paths, with performers like Al Pacino holding their own against the imposing and iconic Brando in his most synonymous role.

1

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Like Colonel Walter Kurtz

Francis Ford Coppola S Apocalypse now Goes down in history as one of the most fraught filmmaking experiences of the 20th century (vi Collider). However, the tense and difficult shooting conditions led to the creation of a movie that is hailed as a triumph of the war genre. Similarly to The godfather, Brando was not on the screen for long Apocalypse now. The actor does not fully appear until the last act of the film, demonstrating his and the other characters’ full descent into madness and his disconnection from reality.

Inspired by the novella of Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness, Apocalypse now was Brando at his most unrecognizable as short. The elusive and unhinged colonel who has lost his grip on reality could only be played by Brando, as he was at the perfect moment in his career to take on such a risky but rewarding role. Although Marlon Brando Playing a singular man, his actions and performance in the film represent a much larger comment on American history during this period and the violence of the war in Vietnam.