The story of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, who led a rebellion against the corrupt, oppressive dictatorship of president Porfirio Díaz in the early 20th century.
Acting
Brando's physicality makes Zapata feel feral and noble simultaneously.
Direction
Kazan stages crowd scenes with terrifying, beautiful chaos.
Writing
Steinbeck's dialogue hits like a machete: sharp, crude, perfect.
Director
Elia Kazan
Marlon Brando
Emiliano Zapata
Jean Peters
Josefa
Anthony Quinn
Eufemio Zapata
Joseph Wiseman
Fernando
Arnold Moss
Don Nacio
Alan Reed
Pancho Villa
Margo
Soldadera
Harold Gordon
Madero
Lou Gilbert
Pablo
Frank Silvera
Huerta
Fay Roope
Diaz
Richard Garrick
Old General
Mildred Dunnock
Senora Espejo
Abner Biberman
Captain (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Anthony Quinn, who plays Zapata's brother, was actually Mexican-born and won the Oscar—beating Brando, who got nominated for playing the title role.
Zapata's actual descendants protested the film's premiere, objecting to Brando's casting and what they saw as Hollywood's romanticized distortion of their ancestor's politics.
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