Burn!
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Movie Reviews of Burn!
Movie Review: Age old story of colonialism and exploitation of the weak
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a fascinating film, especially for those interested in colonialism and the long period of domination of Latin America and the Caribbean by European powers. The interesting thing about this film is that it explores the economic aspects of colonialism rather than the military and has a nice twist of plot when national interests change. It is definitely anti-colonial and reveals how indigenous or slave populations may be manipulated and dominated for the interest of a distant European power. The film is very broad sweeping for a film of less than two hours. There must be a longer director's cut hidden somewhere which would be a major find considering that the film could easily have been a three hour epic. Rather than focus on an abstraction like "England" or "Spain" the film wisely focuses on a very anti-social subversive character, Sir William Walker, played brilliantly by Marlon Brando. We see the island of Queinado go through a slave rebellion and an overthrow of the colonial government by the rising middle class. Brando, as William Walker, plays off one side against the other all for the interest of first the English government and then the English sugar industry. The photography of the slave villages, ceremonies, uprisings and conflicts are superb. The 18th century slave trade was horrendous but this film focuses more on the daily struggles of the slave population and their considerable struggles once they become free and try to form some kind of government, advised by Sir William Walker but often the advice is poisonous. I was also impressed by the resistance from making William Walker a romantic figure with some romantic episodes with a slave woman. This pursuit of a romantic theme could have also been developed for the handsome Jose Dolores, the slave General, who eventually dominates the country. It is to the credit of the film makers that they resisted this formulaic approach and instead made a political film with realistic dynamics between colonial powers.Movie Review: Riveting tale of colonial era
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this movie because I am an Ennio Morricone completionist, but I was totally unprepared for what an absorbing movie it would be.
One might think from the pedigree and the cover of the DVD that it is another Spaghetti Western of sorts, but that would be a grave injustice. The producer, Alberto Grimaldi, is indeed the long time Sergio Leone collaborator, and the opening titles could be straight from one of the dollars movies, but the film is something quite different.
The tale surrounds Marlon Brando as an Englishman sent to a Portuguese colony in the Antilles - his role, to manipulate an uprising against the Portuguese, in order for the area to be opened up to British trade, for the lucrative sugar market. His relationship with the slave who becomes a rebel leader under his guidance underpins the movie, and it is a fine performance from Brando, even if the accent is somewhat effected.
The atmosphere of the colony is brilliantly portrayed, authentic through its use of non actors in key roles and in background colour. Not least, the atmosphere is conveyed by Ennio Morricones fantastic score. This is as equally idiosyncratic as his spaghetti western scores, but with a different flavour altogether, using tribal rhthyms and organ music to make unlikely bedfellows.
Be warned, the DVD itself has no extras, and is painfully washed out and flickers from time to time. The dubbing is not as bad as some spaghetti western lovers may be used to, but still comes across a bit strange at times. Although this would benefit from a restoration, this is a movie with a message and with character which belie the limitations of the print.
Buy this for an undiscovered Brando performance, and a terrific political tale, as long as you can thole the dubious quality of the DVD transfer itself.
Movie Review: What a confusing DVD release!
Summary: 4 Stars
Having read previous reviews I hesistate to open and play the DVD I bought less than an hour ago; the rear cover states the image is 1.66.1 and then continues by saying it is 4X3 widescreen.
I would welcome a letterboxed version, because having owned and then sold the Criterion laserdisk some years ago I clearly remember it being full frame. In fact I was put off buying this DVD when I saw it written up as FULL FRAME.
That I said I have the Italian 2 DVD sets of both BATTLE OF ALGIERS and LEOPARD, and the subsequent Criterion releases. The running times are identical or as close as PAL and NTCS formatting will allow. Furthermore ALGIERS is considerably shorter than reviews I have read suggest.
Just be thankful that the films were made; it seems the political and economic climate forbids this kind of filmmaking today.
Actually 4 1/2 stars for the film and I have sadly only see the NA release.
Movie Review: my two cents
Summary: 4 Stars
Regarding the aspect ratio of this film...in response to the other reviews I would like to add that this is not a 4:3 version. It is 1:66:1 which was a fairly common aspect ratio for its day. I can't say if a wider version exists or if this is correct as this is the only version I have seen. 4:3 translates to 1.33:1...so this is not 4:3. You will notice that the black bars on each side are thinner than if you were watching broadcast non-HD programming which is presented in 4:3 (or 1.33:1) aspect ratio. Widescreen 16:9 which is what our new widescreen televisions display translates to 1.78:1. 1.83:1 would mean black bars top and bottom, even on a widescreen tv. Please correct me if I am wrong.
All that being said I though this was an excellent movie although I agree MGM could have done a much better job with the negative.
Movie Review: COMPROMISED BUT CONSIDERABLE!
Summary: 4 Stars
Even though, this DVD version of Burn! have been considerably butchered and compromised, it still retains its value from a historical point of view. Gillo Pontecorvo's original Burn! (Queimada) is without a doubt a magnificent account of the slave revolt against colonialism in the Caribbean in the late 18th century.
Starring Marlon Brando in the leading role as Sir William Walker, an emissary of the British Crown, sent to secure British interests in the sugar plantations of Queimada, Pontecorvo's stunning cinematografic vision, mixed with Brando's talent and a haunting soundtrack by Ennio Morricone are the perfect elements that makes this film a worthy masterpiece regardless of the poor quality of the DVD transfer. Burn! is a film with a grand historical value. A must see for all!