Viva Zapata!

U.S.A. (1952)/113min/Colored

Director: Elia Kazan
Screenplay: John Steinbeck
Cast: Marlon Brando, Anthony Quinn
Music Composer: Alex North

In 1909, Emiliano Zapata, a well-born but penniless Mexican Indian from a remote province, Morelos, comes to Mexico City to complain that their arable land has been enclosed, leaving them only in the barren hills. His expressed dissatisfaction with the response of the President Diaz puts him in danger, and when he rashly rescues a prisoner from the local militia he becomes an outlaw. Urged on by a strolling intellectual, Fernando, he supports the exiled Don Francisco Madero against Diaz, and becomes the leader of his forces in the South as Pancho Villa is in the North. Diaz flees, and Madero takes his place; but he is a puppet president, in the hands of the leader of the army, Huerta, who has him assassinated when he tries to express solidarity for the men who fought for him. Zapata and Villa return to arms, and, successful in victory, seek to find a leader for the country. Marlon Brandon’s figure as well as Antony Quins performance, which was honored by an Oscar award, prevails in the film. A well known American film on the Mexican revolution that has written history and stood out both in America and Europe.

Awards:
Oscar Award for Best Supporting Actor, 1953
Oscar  Award Nomination for Best Actor, Art Direction, Original Music and Screenplay, 1953
Award for Best Actor in Cannes  Film Festival, 1952
BAFTA Best Foreign Actor, 1953
BAFTA Nomination for Best Film, 1952
Golden Globe Nomination for Best Supporting Actress, 1953

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE EMBASSY OF MEXICO