The film “Viva Zapata,” set in the Mexican state of Morelos between 1909 and 1911, portrays Emiliano Zapata, played by Marlon Brando, becoming a revolutionary leader against Porfirio Díaz, whose policies benefited wealthy landowners controlling land and water for sugarcane. Zapata cautiously aligns himself with Francisco Madero, who had Pancho Villa’s backing and offered unclear pledges regarding changes to land ownership. Directed by the same filmmaker who later collaborated with Brando on “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “On the Waterfront,” this is a Western presented in black and white—though I watched a colorized version. It marked Brando's initial foray into four Western films, including "One-Eyed Jacks," "The Appaloosa," and "The Missouri Breaks.” While it’s better than “Appaloosa,” it doesn't reach the heights of "Jacks" or possess the originality of “Breaks” – which is to be expected given its historical basis. Jean Peters provides a memorable performance among the female characters. If you want to witness events occurring ten years after those depicted in this movie, I suggest watching "For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada” (2012), which details the Cristero War. The film’s length is 1 hour and 53 minutes, and filming took place primarily in Texas towns like Roma, Del Rio, Dolores, San Ygnacio, Rio Grande City, McAllen, and Laredo; as well as Durango, Colorado (for the train scenes); New Mexico; and Century Ranch in Malibu Canyon, California. GRADE: B

Source on TMDB