Morituri
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Movie Reviews of Morituri
Movie Review: The more I watch, the more I like
Summary: 3 Stars
The first time I watched this film, I must admit that I fell asleep during it. But over time, after viewing it several times, I found that it was not as bad as I initially thought. In fact it was somewhat entertaining. Some parts of the film are indeed gripping, but for the most part the film is slow-paced. Brando gives a captivating performance, considering what he has to work with, as a saboteur sent to disarm explosives on a ship traveling from Japan to Germany. But I believe top honors go to Yul Brynner in his performance as a grouchy, no nonsense sea captain, who seems more concerned with lighting up a cigar than anything else. Brynner provides a nice and interesting contrast to Brando's cool, slick and self-contained character. And not to be overlooked, actress Janet Margolin, gives a powerful performance as a Jewish refugee that makes the ultimate sacrifice to aid in the effort of disarmimg the ship, her performance alone deserves a star. Overall, I recommend this film with reservations. If you're looking for a faced paced edge of your seat thriller, look elsewhere. But if you're just looking for a decent 1960's Brando film that gets better over repeated viewings then you've come to the right place.Movie Review: It keeps the promise
Summary: 3 Stars
The Morituri is a good movie. Brando and Brinner are outstanding and Wicki does his job honestly. Underneath the action there is room for some serious meditation. The Morituri is not just a war movie or a spy story. It's a story that deals with a basic question: are wars all idiotic, like Brando says? Men, women and children are slaughetered and then enemies become friends and friends become enemies... No, beyond his personal belief, even Kyle (Brando), this nihilist selfish man, finds that if good men do nothing then the triumph of evil is possible. This is the main lesson The Morituri teaches. The rest, even the personal drama of Brinner, a captain once devoted to his Fatherland with a nazi-fanatic son who earns an iron cross sinking an hospital boat, is just complementary. I read the plot is complicated. I don't agree with that. I prefer to stress the quality of the dialogues, the cinematography and the acting of this superb pair of stars. The dvd offers a good picture with minor faults (some scenes deserve some remastering). The lack of extras and the flatness of the audio are not offensive... If you like WWII movies, Brando and Brinner, you won't be disappointed.Movie Review: Stranger Things Probably Did Happen
Summary: 3 Stars
Other reviewers have given adequate descriptions of the plot. My take on this movie is that it is no Casablanca (5 stars) but it is entertaining and the characters are well cast.
The movie drags a bit for modern tastes and the cinematography is unnecessarily dark (even for black and white). The plot is a bit of a stretch and too many coincidences are needed to advance it. For its day it probably was quite daring in the manner that it dealt with rape and the dehumanizing effects it has on both victim and rapist(s). Yul Brynner and Marlon Brando both are excellent in their roles but also limited by them. The screen writer never quite figured out how to achieve the kind of suspense/plot-twist/character study that was achieved in, say, John Lecarre's "The Spy Who Came In From the Cold" which is far superior in that regard.
So, I only give it three stars, but I can still recommend it as a good movie to curl up and watch on a cold winter's night when you have nothing else pressing to do. Bring the popcorn.