ONE-EYED JACKS

"One-Eyed Jacks is one of my favorite westerns and it was more than a privilege to be on the team that restored it for audiences around the world to rediscover or fall under its spell for the first time." – Steven Spielberg

The lone directorial effort from one of cinema’s true visionary performers, Marlon Brando’s One-Eyed Jacks arrives fresh from its unveiling as part of this year’s Cannes classics selection, having been magnificently restored by Universal Pictures and The Film Foundation and overseen by super fans Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg.

Originally developed by a then-unknown Sam Peckinpah and slated for Stanley Kubrick to direct, creative differences led to Brando himself stepping behind the camera – a role he attacked with all the passion and craftsmanship of his greatest performances. Brando plays Rio, a bank robber who plans slow-burning revenge against his former partner, Dad Longworth (Karl Malden), after the older man leaves him for dead and makes off with the loot.

It’s a fascinating, singular western, shot in gorgeous VistaVision and ripe with that heady mix of violence, romance and melodrama one would find in a signature Brando role, with electric performances from its star, Malden and Pina Pellicer as the villain’s daughter.

And yes – it did inspire the name for the infamous brothel in Twin Peaks!

"Fascinating to see Brando directing this revenge western exactly… as he acts, so that the whole movie smoulders in a manner that is mean, moody and magnificent." – Time Out

Note: this is a 4K restoration exhibited in 2K.