Viva Zapata!

The 1952 American biographical Western film depicts the life of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata (Marlon Brando), from his peasant origins, rise to power in the early 1900s, to his death in 1919. Zapata joins a delegation of peasants appealing to President Porfirio Díaz (Fay Roope) to reclaim lands taken by large landowners. After Díaz dismisses their pleas, Zapata, along with his brother Eufemio (Anthony Quinn), initiates a rebellion, aligning with Pancho Villa (Alan Reed) and the naive reformer Francisco Madero (Harold Gordon). Following Díaz's overthrow, Madero becomes president but fails to fulfill promises of land redistribution. Zapata grows disillusioned with the new government, especially as Madero entrusts power to General Victoriano Huerta (Frank Silvera), who betrays and murders Madero. Zapata continues his fight for peasant rights, facing betrayal and corruption, including abuses of power by his own brother Eufemio. Ultimately, Zapata is ambushed and killed, but his legacy continues to inspire peasants to fight for their rights. Critics praised the film. Five Academy Award nominations followed, and one of them became a win — Anthony Quinn for Best Supporting Actor.