Product Details

• Released on: 2003-01-01
• Rating: Unrated
• Formats: NTSC, Import
• Original language: English
• Running time: 141 minutes

Review
Often described by director Martin Scorsese as his favorite Western, Marlon Brando's only foray into directing resulted in one of the most interesting films in the genre. Brando plays an outlaw abandoned on a Mexican mountainside by his partner Karl Malden, while escaping from a posse. After doing a five-year hitch in a Mexican prison, Brando goes looking for revenge. A film whose troubled production history included contributions by Sam Peckinpah and Stanley Kubrick, in many ways it's a precursor to the operatic, slow-motion oaters of Sergio Leone. Basically a standard Western, it's raised a few notches by a great performance from Brando, who is given all he can handle by a memorably sadistic Malden. The pace of the scenes is undeniably slow, and one's enjoyment of the film probably depends on the extent to which viewers find Brando's myriad expressions of slow-burning rage compelling. Either Brando has an excellent eye or he was lucky in his choice of cinematographer Charles Lang, because the photography of Monterey, the Sierras, and the Mexican coastline is spectacular. Katy Jurado, Slim Pickens, Ben Johnson, and the always disturbed Timothy Carey round out the colorful cast. ~ Michael Costello, All Movie Guide

On the DVD
Fully restored and enhanced digital masters
Chapters
Original graphics
Interactive menus
Biography

Synopsis
Western bandit Kid Rio (Marlon Brando) is betrayed by his partner, Dad Longworth (Karl Malden). Escaping from prison, Rio learns that Longworth has become a wealthy and influential lawman. Rio thirsts for revenge, but bides his time, waiting for the right moment to strike. In the meantime, Rio spitefully seduces Longworth's adopted daughter, Louisa (Pina Pellicer). After killing a man in self-defense, Rio is publicly whipped by the powerful Longworth. When Rio's old gang accidentally kills a child during another holdup, Longworth has the perfect excuse to eliminate the troublesome Rio once and for all by hanging him. But that's not what happens at all. Stripped to its fundamentals, One-Eyed Jacks is a workable Western, worthy of perhaps 90 minutes' running time. But when Marlon Brando succeeded Stanley Kubrick in the director's chair, he allowed the film's 60-day shooting schedule to stretch into six months, and delivered a finished product running in excess of four hours. The current 141-minute version of One-Eyed Jacks isn't as ponderous as some critics have claimed, but it's still too much of a good thing. While Brando the director isn't precisely in the Kubrick class, Brando the actor delivers one of his finest and most focused performances (though he is upstaged throughout by Karl Malden). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Customer Reviews

terrific directorial debut
Brando fine as director. He does excellent turn as the Rio
character in the film. Malden, as usual, top notch as menacing heavy. Beautifully photographed. It's too bad Brando didn't direct a few more films.

Leisure entertainment version is a winner
As you've probably read, it's hit or miss when you buy one of these. I took a chance for $4.00 at Boscov's, and won big. Packaging says "Digital Gold Collection" . Close-up photo of Brando on the cover, claims digital remastering and 5.1 & Dolby surround. Transfer is good (a little soft, but so what?), and is letterbox. I also picked up a copy of 'Boot Hill/They Call Me Trinty' by Leisure Entertainment that was lame-ass pan and scan (no mention of aspect ratio on either film's packaging, by the way), but I don't regret the $6 bucks for that one, because I'd have been happy to pay $10 for 'One Eyed Jacks'!
Hope this helps you find a good copy!

Scorsese's and Gilliam's favorite western directed by Brando
THIS REVIEW IS FOR BRENTWOOD RELEASE. (Brando is hilding gun and facing left) The quality is rather good for a non-anamorphic release. It is on par with any dvd that has not had the any major restoration or anamorphic treatment. Better than video by a long shot (and leaps and bounds better than regular tv broadcast). What more do ya want for so little? Some people are so fixated on the quality that they ruin the film for themslves. It's not a new release nor is it a hugely popular film so the studios did not throw tons of money into the release. Stop yer whinning and watch the !!#$$$% movie.

AS FOR THE FILM:
This is the the best western ever! Brando directs and stars in this great film. Scorsese has stated that this is his favorite western. Terry Gilliam places this film in his 10 favorite films list. Marlon shot over a million feet of film!!!- a world record. He took over the directing position from Stanley Kubrick belive it or not. It is said they were not able to see things eye to eye. As much as I love Kubrick's work I don't think he could have done better.
This film is so much more than a revenge/love story. Brando performance is outstanding. His complex charactor is as real as any performance on film. His wit, charm and rage are palpable. It deals with his inner turmoil as a man. Something that few films achieve or bother to deal with. The supporting actors are fantastic as well.
Do yourself a favour and buy this today. At this price it is a no brainer.