Few actors that achieved fame years ago are as beloved as Marlon Brando. Ever since the 1950’s, Brando became a legendary actor in Hollywood. Whether its godfather gangsters, war soldiers or drug dealers, Brando played many iconic characters. Given the sheer number of movies he made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Godfather
Gangsters are grand figures that have always inspired my grandfather. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that loved gangsters causing damage. I remember a grandfather that was fascinated with the dark lives of gangsters putting lives in grave danger. An offer that he simply couldn’t refuse, my grandfather always loved spending time with grand gangsters shaping his views. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture lifestyles of gangsters putting lives in danger as powerfully as “The Godfather”. Ever since its release in 1972, Marlon Brando’s Oscar-winning movie has stood the test of time as a crime classic. In the greatest role of his career, Brando embodies the don of an Italian mafia family whose mere presence evokes fear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Brando has always poured his heart and soul into performing every role through method acting techniques, and his strengths are clearly evident in “The Godfather”. Working alongside Al Pacino who is also excellent, Brando creates a powerful portrait of a don mafioso. For instance, the scene in which Don Corleone breaks down in tears seeing the dead body of Sonny lamenting about how gangs have killed his son is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Godfather” Marlon Brando’s greatest movie is its message. Unlike most movies about gangs, it tackles relatable themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a strong message about family bonds that would resonate with everyone. Nearly 50 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about gangsters which are given offers that they can’t refuse, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a commemorated actor whose movies that have achieved rave reviews deserve to make news.
2. Apocalypse Now
War movies are a genre of film that my uncle has always loved dearly. I remember an uncle that was fascinated with warfare disaster. He grew up to value war movies capturing the hardships that WWII soldiers went through. Fascinated with warfare, he was interested in the hardships of soldiers that faced despair. As someone treasuring fond memories of an uncle fascinated with how apocalyptic wars began, I loved “Apocalypse Now”. Released in 1979, Marlon Brando’s movie offered an engaging depiction of the Vietnam War. In the most villainous role of his career, Brando embodies an evil Colonel that commits warfare atrocities causing soldiers to face despair. With “Apocalypse Now”, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by portraying an evil villain. For instance, the scene in which Captain Willard first meets Colonel Kurtz is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Apocalypse Now” a great war movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about war which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 60 years after the Vietnam War ended, it’s an apocalyptic reminder of an awe-inspiring actor that thrived at playing complicated characters in timeless movies that deserve to be celebrated.
3. On the Waterfront
It’s always hard to stand up against injustice. At an early age, I lacked the courage to stand up against bullies causing damage. I recollect the sad time when a group of school peers accused me of stealing their ideas on a group project. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stand up against cruel bullies that mistreated me without pride. As someone that has found injustice hard to confront, I loved “On the Waterfront”. Released in 1954, Marlon Brando’s classic movie captured union workers standing up against corrupt bosses in positions of authority. In the most courageous role of his career, Brando embodies a strong labor worker that stands up against union bosses causing despair. Brando always had an aptitude for giving monologues in movies, and his strengths are evident in “On the Waterfront”. For instance, the iconic scene in which Terry laments about how he could have been a contender is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “On the Waterfront” a classic is its message. The film delivers a message about injustice which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of union workers on the waterfront, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that thrived at playing heroes that are hard to confront.
4. A Streetcar Named Desire
Desire is a dangerous trait that shaped my personality. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school seeking dreams of marriage. An attractive girl dressed in gorgeous attire, she was a girl that my entire school would admire. However, I lacked the courage to express my feelings towards her. As someone haunted by a girl that I grew up to desire, I adored “A Streetcar Named Desire”. Released in 1951, Marlon Brando’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a Broadway play. In the most romantic role of his career, Brando embodies a brother-in-law that engages in a doomed affair with a relative causing despair. Brando has always been one of those actors with a strong voice that projects emotions, and it is clearly evident in “A Streetcar Named Desire”. Brando effectively uses his voice to capture the turmoil of a man with sexual desires. For instance, the iconic scene in which Stanley screams for Stella to come back to him is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “A Streetcar Named Desire” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about dangers of desire which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking adaptation of a beloved Broadway play about desire, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that never lost his abilities to inspire awe whose memorable movies audiences admire.
5. Superman
Superman is a spectacular comic-book character that always inspired my teacher. Several years ago, I formed strong bonds with a school teacher that loved the soaring superhero. I remember Superman wa a superhero my English teacher grew up to cherish. A huge comic-book nerd, he loved a superhero that made him feel heard. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher that was a huge fan of Superman, I adored “Superman”. Released in 1978, Marlon Brando’s movie paid tribute to a legendary superhero with a lasting legacy. In the most compassionate role of his career, Brando embodied the larger-than-life father of Superman that faces despair. Brando’s strength for stealing the show in supporting roles is clearly evident in “Superman”. For instance, the scene in which Jor-El ensures that his son safely escapes the destructive planet of Krypton facing destruction showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Superman” a great comic-book movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about identity which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular tribute to a soaring superhero, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that achieved fame years ago whose timeless movies have given audiences dreams to follow.
6. Guys and Dolls
Over the past decade, the musical genre has faced declines in quality. Like singers losing the sound of music, musicals have faced consequences that are tragic. With their cartoonish characters, over the top musical numbers and lacklustre storytelling, musicals have become a chore to sit through. However, in 1955 Marlon Brando revitalized the genre in “Guys and Dolls”. In the most melodious role of his career, Brando embodies a gambler engaging in games that are dangerous. It’s a role that gave the actor opportunities to showcase his flair for singing, dancing and performing melodies. Brando showcased musical talent that he hadn’t shown in his career before. A marvellous tribute to the musical genre, it’s a magnificent reminder of an actor with charisma whose memorable movies attracted audiences to the Cinema.
7. Julius Cesar
It’s challenging to adapt Shakespeare’s plays on the big-screen today. Arguably the most celebrated author in English literature, Shakespeare penned timeless plays changing the world forever. Making an adaptation of Shakespeare poses certain challenges for actors. However, in 1953 Marlon Brando proved that it was possible to honour Shakespeare’s literature when he made his movie “Julius Cesar”. In the most poetic role of his career, Brando embodies a righteous Roman general that becomes a victim of murder causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for delivering complex Shakespearean monologues. A breathtaking adaptation of a beloved Shakespeare play, it’s a spectacular reminder of a commemorated actor whose unforgettable movies are worth celebrating today.
8. The Last Tango in Paris
Adultery is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often shied away from telling stories of couples engaging in extramarital affairs with a price to pay. A sensitive subject matter, adultery rarely attracts audiences to the theatre. However, in 1972 Marlon Brando tackled the sensitive subject matter with skill in his movie “The Last Tango in Paris”. In the most provocative role of his career, Brando embodies a reckless man engaging in a sexual affair with a woman. It’s a role requiring excessive nudity that gave Brando a chance to step out of his comfort zone. Working alongside Maria Schneider who is excellent, Brando created a compelling sexual relationship. A powerful portrait of an affair destined to face despair, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that built an impressive career.
9. The Wild One
Marlon Brando was one of those actors that always excelled at playing criminal characters. Brando built an image for playing criminal characters engaging in reckless behaviour causing damage. Brando’s aptitude for playing wild criminals that lack a clear direction is clearly evident in his film “The Wild One”. Released in 1953, Marlon Brando’s movie examined the criminal lifestyles of biker gangs facing adversity. In the most rebellious role of his career, Brando embodies the courageous leader of a biker gang that experiences despair. It’s a role that gave Brando the chance to showcase his flair for playing criminals that overcome fear. As precious as the wild bikes Johnny loves to ride, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor whose timeless movies continue to leave audiences satisfied several years after he died.
10. Superman Returns
Marlon Brando didn’t always make great movies years ago. While most movies the actor made are widely regarded as classics today, others fell short of expectations in every way. Unfortunately, “Superman Returns” falls into the latter group of movies . Released in 2006, Bryan Singer’s comic-book blockbuster was a disaster. In the briefest role of his career, Brando embodies Superman’s deceased father that delivers a valuable message to his son. Despite his limited screen-time, Brando left a lasting impression. Although it’s far from a perfect movie, “Superman Returns” remains a tribute to Marlon Brando. As strong as Superman’s love for flying, it’s a soaring reminder of an actor whose engaging movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking years after his heartbreaking passing left the world grieving.
The Film Buff 