Viva Zapata! Overview:

Viva Zapata! (1952) was a Historical - Western Film directed by Elia Kazan and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck.

The film was based on the novel Zapata: The Unconquerable written by Edgecumb Pinchon published in 1941.

SYNOPSIS

Brando brings dignity and strength to his portrayal of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata. A reluctant hero, Zapata leads the peasants in a quest to seize their land back from the wealthy after first trying to ignore his calling. He promises Peters a quiet life and finds work on a horse farm. But the indignities and cruelty of the government are finally too much, and Brando takes command, with his brother Quinn, of a peasant army. He joins the revolution being waged in the north by Villa and, after they come to power, is faced with the complexities of governing. A breakthrough for both Kazan and Brando, it continued their collaboration, begun with the stage production of A Streetcar Named Desire and three powerful films in four years, Streetcar, Zapata, and On the Waterfront. Steinbeck wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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Academy Awards 1952 --- Ceremony Number 25 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorMarlon BrandoNominated
Best Supporting ActorAnthony QuinnWon
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Lyle Wheeler, Leland Fuller; Set Decoration: Thomas Little, Claude CarpenterNominated
Best Music - ScoringAlex NorthNominated
Best WritingJohn SteinbeckNominated
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Quotes from

Eufemio: I love you, but I do not like you.


Fernando: Cut off the head of the snake and the body will die.


Fernando: This is all very disorganized.


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Facts about

Anthony Quinn had played Stanley Kowalski in the road-tour of Tennessee Williams' play "A Streetcar Named Desire", and some critics thought he was better than Marlon Brando, who had originated the part. None of this was lost on Elia Kazan, who liked to foster competition between his actors if it was appropriate. On set, the competitive Quinn and Brando, who both liked and respected each other, bonded like the brothers they played.
Film debut of Frank DeKova.
Tyrone Power was the studio's original choice to play Emiliano Zapata.
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Best Supporting Actor Oscar 1952






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Also directed by Elia Kazan




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Also produced by Darryl F. Zanuck




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