Viva Zapata! (1998 Re-recording) [SOUNDTRACK]

Alex North, Jerry Goldsmith, Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 24, 1998)
• Original Release Date: March 24, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B0000060E9
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  VHS Tape  |  DVD
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #359,030 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A romatic yet cynical look at the nature of 'Revolution'., August 29, 2001

By	Frank Gibbons (Seekonk, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Viva Zapata [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I really enjoyed this film directed by Elia Kazan with a screenplay by John Steinbeck (his only credited screenplay). Their vision of the Revolution is at once both impossibly romantic as well as bitterly cynical. The romance lies in the pure-hearted desire of Emiliano Zapata to bring justice and land reform to `the people'. The cynicism is expressed in the constant betrayal and manipulation of the Revolution by men who are either weak, self-seeking, or who have absolutely no commitment to justice or to `the people. Then there is the character of Fernando, deliciously played by Joseph Wiseman, the professional revolutionary who will never be satisfied with the attainment of objectives but only in incessant foment and agitation (in real life, Kazan detested doctrinaire Stalinists). Brando gives a brooding performance as the illiterate Zapata who inwardly burns at his inability to read. Anthony Quinn won an Oscar as Zapata's older brother, Eufemio. Virtually all of the characters in `Viva Zapata' are ground down by the realities of constant struggle of revolution. We are not to have illusions about the nature of Revolutions. And yet, Kazan and Steinbeck still leave us room to believe that the ideals of revolutionary struggle in themselves can be endowed with nobility and worthiness. The cinematography by Joe MacDonald is tasteful as is the music score by Alex North.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A huge fresco of Mexican Revolution., April 25, 2004

By	Maximiliano F Yofre "Maxi" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Viva Zapata [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Actually this was the film that triggered my interest on the Mexican Revolution.
I've seen it many times and always found new details to take into account. As I read more and more on the subject my appreciation of this movie increases.
It presents the viewer with a big fresco of the Revolution that convulsed that country for more than ten years.
I admire the strange capacity of the film to show condensed in each scene, many key issues of why and how the Revolution exploded and continue growing along the years, with an immitigable fire.

Director Elia Kazan has been criticized for his appearance on the Un-American Activities Committee that lead many people related to cinematography to be ostracized.
This been said, regardless of his political stand, he had directed many great Oscar winner films as: "Gentleman's Agreement" (1947), "Streetcar Named Desire" (1951); "East of Eden" (1955); "Splendor on the Grass" (1961) and the present "Viva Zapata!" (1952).
He had directed two "Movie Icons" as Marlon Brando (more than once) and James Dean obtaining the best from them. All his films explored the inner depth of human soul with unflinching stare.

Since the first shot, showing a very accurate characterization of President Porfirio Diaz (Fay Roope) and giving an inkling of the type of ruler he was, an enormous gallery of Mexican historical figure are made known.
Francisco Madero's (Harold Gordon) personality and idealistic naïveté is depicted with very few strokes.
Huerta's (Frank Silvera) wickedness and treachery is shown too.

Above all of them Emiliano Zapata's figure impersonated by an inspired Marlon Brando stands with an epic height. His ideals, stubbornness, charisma and internal sorrows leading him to the final sacrifice, are shown convincingly.

A special mention must be done of Anthony Quinn's superb performance, which entitled him to win the Oscar. He not only has the physique du role, but an internal conviction to give flesh to Eufemio, Zapata's brother, a semi cultured and brave centaur, product of his times and environment.

Josefa (Jean Peters) the fiancée and later wife of Emiliano shows all the traits of a high middle class woman romantically requested by a rural hero. The scene played with Brando in the church's atrium is wonderful.
The only character that gives a discordant note is the fictional Fernando, representing an addict to revolution for revolution in itself.

Joseph MacDonald's black and white photography is very beautiful. Steinbeck's screenplay has a solid internal coherence that shows all along the film.

A Classic Movie not diminished by the more than fifty years passed.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb acting makes this film great, March 19, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Viva Zapata [VHS] (VHS Tape)

A bit of trivia!
I've seen Viva Zapata a number of times and even discussed the film personally with Elia Kazan in New York City.
Tyrone Power was to portray Zapata (Zanuck fought Kazan on that issue and won) and, thank God, Brando took over the role when Power refused to sign an extension to his contract with Fox. He would have been miscast - most likely.
Then for the part of Josefa, Kazan wanted Julie Harris. Zanuck insisted that he hire Fox contract player Jean Peters. In this case Zanuck was right. Jean had played other latino girls and looked the part. Harris would have had to wear a black wig and hide her numerous freckles (the Irish in her would have been hard to cover up). Brando also liked Jean Peters better than Harris, but for other reasons; he had intentions to romance the actress - although her chaotic encounter with his pet racoon who bit her in the rib-cage during the filming, dowsed all his efforts to bed her. At any rate, Peters was a good choice in the end. Despite Kazan's worries that she wouldn't be believable, she is first rate in this flick and has two great scenes (the one in the church in which she threatens Brando with her hair pin and the one where she teaches him to read on their honeymoon bed) - plus, of course, her final scene in the movie, in which she becomes hysterical and is outstanding.
Anthony Quinn got an Oscar for this one, and well deserved. Kazan, Brando and Peters would have probaly won recognition as well if it weren't for the fact that Kazan was called by HUAC (the MacCarthy witch hunt of the 40's and 50's) and had decided "to name names" to the investigating committee - that made him an unpopular figure in Hollywood and the film was ignored (and Brando became quite cool towards his favorite director after that).
As for the movie - even if it does not follow the life of the Mexican hero to the T, the John Steinbeck script is far superior than others depicting Pancho Villa, Che and other revolutionary heros - and this one is probaly more factual. Kazan's direction is enigmatic and the cinematography and camera angles used by Joe MacDonald are excellent.
This one is a MUST SEE!!!