Forgotten Western Drama With Brando and Nicholson Still Doesn’t Get the Love It Deserves
A look at a hidden gem from 1976 that paired Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson in their prime, delivering performances that deserve way more recognition than they got.
Unfortunately, a lot of good Westerns have been buried under the weight of more commercially successful films. Such is The Missouri Breaks, a 1976 Western that paired two of Hollywood's most magnetic forces: Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson.
The timing couldn't have been more perfect. Brando had delivered his career-defining performance in The Godfather just a few years back, and Nicholson was fresh off his brilliant role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
As you can imagine, the stage was set for what should have been an instant classic, yet somehow, this gritty Western drama flopped at the box office, grossing $14 million (for its $10 million production).
The film's initial reception was lukewarm at best, but it's about time we give this classic some love it deserves (and, trust us, it truly does deserve it!).
The Missouri Breaks Is a Non-Mainstream Western Masterpiece You Needed
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The Missouri Breaks is an intense story of horse theft, justice, and survival.
Tom Logan (Nicholson) leads a band of horse thieves, while the wealthy rancher David Braxton employs the regulator Lee Clayton (Brando) to hunt them down.
The movie starts as your usual Western, but stick around, because we promise you, it has something that will pleasantly surprise you.
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Nicholson brings his signature rebellious charm to Tom Logan. He's terrifying, but at the same time you can't help but root for this bad guy (even when you probably shouldn't, to be honest).
But it's Brando who really steals the show here. His Lee Clayton is probably one of the weirdest characters you'll ever see in a Western. He's a totally unpredictable regulator who shows up in different disguises, and basically keeps everyone (including the audience) guessing about what he'll do next.
Nicholson And Brando Is The Perfect Rivalry Duo
But the real magic happens when these two share the screen. The chemistry between these two legends is electric. You can feel the tension building.
In an interview to Rolling Stone, Nicholson revealed that he drew a lot of inspiration from Brando, saying:
“He's [Brando] so powerful, you fall so in love with what he's doing that you want to do it yourself. I studied him then, and I find myself now, even when I'm working with him, wanting to emulate him.”
And that, right here, is truly what's important. When an actor comes out of the project with that kind of respect and admiration for their co-star, you know something special happened on set.
Where Can You Watch The Missouri Breaks
We know, The Missouri Breaks isn't your typical Western. It's weird, it's unconventional, but that's exactly what makes it so fascinating. Director Arthur Penn took some big risks here, and while they might not have paid off at the box office back in '76, they've aged like fine wine.
If you're tired of predictable Westerns and want something that'll keep you guessing (and probably scratching your head a few times), you can watch The Missouri Breaks on Amazon Prime and Apple TV+ right now.