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Two-time Oscar-winner, Marlon Brando, born April 3rd, 1924, died on July 1st, 2004, at age 79. This collection isn't Brando's "finest" films, since neither of his Best Leading Actor Oscar-winning performances aren't included: "On the Waterfront" (1954) & The Godfather (1972). However, he was nominated in 1953 for a Best Leading Actor Oscar of 1954, at 29yo.. William Shakespeare's "Julis Caesar" became a Joseph L. Mankiewicz directed film. The cast & their stellar performances make this film a classic: Marlon Brando (Mark Antony); James Mason (Brutus); Sir John Gielgud (Cassius); Louis Calhern (Julius Caesar); Deborah Kerr (Portia); Greer Garson (Calpurnia) & Edmond O'Brien (Casca). A 1954 Oscar went to Best Art Direction-Set Decoration by Edward C. Carfagno, Cedric Gibbons, Hugh Hunt & Edwin B. Willis. The classic (hi)story follows: Brutus, Cassius & more Roman officials murder Julius Caesar. Fear that Caesar's political ambitions will turn tyrannical are their motives. Roman citizens side with Marc Antony (Brando), who's been closest to Caesar. Those who conspire against Antony are forced out of Rome. Antony forms an army with superior strengths to contend with the conspirators' inferior army. Antony's army prevails by surrounding Ceasar's murderers, Brutus & Cassius. But, that's not how this (hi)story ends~ "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1962) was nominated for 7 Oscars but didn't win any in 1963. The story goes that the ship, The Bounty, deports from Portsmouth, in 1787, steaming to Tahiti, loaded with fruit & bread. The ship's Captain, Wm. Bligh (Trevor Howard), goes to extremes to arrive as fast as the ship will go & weather conditions allow. Bligh's viewed by his crew as ruthlessly strict as a disciplinarian, so they don't have affection for him. Once in Tahiti, The Bounty's crew's in paradise & living it up compared to their stringent regiment on board ship under Bligh's thumb. On their return voyage to England, 1st Lt. Christian (Brando) becomes the insitgator of the crew's mutiny when the ship encounters sea-faring troubles & the crew doesn't have enough regard for their Captain. "Reflections in a Golden Eye" (1967) is my favorite film in this set due to the on screen chemistry between real life friends who play the leads: Dame Elizabeth Taylor & Marlon Brando. The cast & their performances are superb: Elizabeth Taylor (Leonora Penderton); Marlon Brando (Maj. Weldon Penderton); Brian Keith (Lt. Col. Morris Langdon) & Julie Harris (Alison Langdon). U.S. Army Maj. Penderton (Brando) is an impotent, latent-gay man, married to the desirable Leonora (Taylor). She's frustrated with his lack of affection for her. The Maj. transfers his hostility against Leonora by brutally flogging her favorite horse. In turn she humiliates him at a party in front of guests by whipping him with her riding crop. She's adulterous with Lt. Col. Langdon (Keith), who's wife Alison (Harris) went nuts after their baby died & cut off her nipples. Great story! Since I am nearly out of space here, I can't offer a review of "Teahouse of the August Moon" (1956), a satire with Brando in the leaad as Sakini & Glenn Ford as Capt. Fisby; or "The Formula" "1980" staring George C. Scott (Lt. Barney Caine LAPD); Marlon Brando (Adam Steiffel, Chair, Titan Oil); Sir John Gielgud (Dr. Abraham Esau, 3rd Reich Dir. of Energy), about a major oil company discovering & trying to destroy a 3rd Reich formula & everyone who knows it, that is a substitute for oil~Read full review
The best on this is Julius Caesar from the early 1950s. Great Film and impossible to find anywhere else; either on DVD or Blu-ray. This is the most inexpensive way to get a Very Good DVD of the film. Mutiny on the Bounty is not terrible; it's just historically inaccurate. It's got a great first half. The Formula is a 1970s talky thriller. Engaging if you saw it new back then. That's all for now. But This is a fine set. I bought 3 of them. 2 as gifts.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Brando classics. Great films.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Very good
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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