The Appaloosa (1966)

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary
Matt Fletcher, a Mexican-American buffalo hunter is constantly harassed and humiliated
by bandit general Chuy Medina.
When the bandit steals his horse - the appaloosa of the title -
he sets out to even scores; at the climax,
single-handedly, he takes on the whole gang.
Written by alfiehitchie

Cast
Marlon Brando ... Matt
Anjanette Comer ... Trini
John Saxon ... Chuy
Emilio Fernández ... Lazaro (as Emilio Fernandez)
Alex Montoya ... Squint Eye
Miriam Colon ... Ana
Rafael Campos ... Paco
Frank Silvera ... Ramos
Larry D. Mann ... Priest

Directed
Sidney J. Furie

Writing Credits
James Bridges ... (screenplay) and
Roland Kibbee ... (screenplay)
Robert MacLeod ... (novel)

Produced
Allan Miller ... producer

Music
Frank Skinner

Cinematography
Russell Metty ... director of photography

Trivia
According to Bob Thomas' 1973 biography "Marlon: Portrait of the Artist as a Rebel,"
producer Alan Miller, appalled at his star's lack of interest in the film
and his lackluster performance, pinned a bit of doggerel about Marlon Brando,
whose character is called "Mateo" by his Mexican friend in the film,
"Mateo, his heart/It bleeds for the mass,/But the people he works with/He kicks in the ass."

According to co-star John Saxon, Marlon Brando's relationship with director Sidney J. Furie
got to the point where Brando, when getting ready to do a close-up, would be reading a book.
He would only lower the book when Furie yelled "Action." When he yelled "Cut,"
Brando would raise the book again. According to Peter Manso's book on Brando,
however, Brando and Furie met years later.
Brando was quoted to have said, "I thought you were a no-good double-crosser,
and I didn't know if I could trust you, but I saw the film a
nd you have the great sense of the best visual directors.
Let's do another movie together."
Furie, according to the book, replied, "Never!" Furie, for his part,
claims that they only came to blows once on the entire shoot of The Appaloosa (1966).

Claudia Cardinale was originally sought for the Anjanette Comer part.

Goofs
Continuity
In the final scene with Chuy, Brando weaves his leather poncho belt with his hat band,
to lasso his rifle. When the shooting is finished and he stands up,
the belt is back on his poncho, although there was no time to unweave the lasso and retie the belt.

Factual errors
The Appaloosa which portrays the title character was actually
a registered Appaloosa stallion named Cojo Rojo.
He was born in 1960 and just prior to being used for the film
he was racing on the California tracks.
He sired several foals, including several race champions.
During filming
a few other similarly marked horses were used as stunt horses,
but the majority of work was done by Cojo Rojo.

Memorable Quotes

Filming Locations
St. George, Utah, USA
Colorado City, Arizona, USA
Wrightwood, California, USA
Antelope Valley, California, USA (Outdoor exteriors)
Lake Los Angeles, California, USA
Lancaster, California, USA

Watch the Movie

[extendedmedia]

The Appaloosa (also known as Southwest to Sonora) is a
1966 American Western film Technicolor
(set in the 1870s) from Universal Pictures starring Marlon Brando,
Anjanette Comer and John Saxon, who was nominated for a
Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor
for his portrayal of a Mexican bandit.

The film was directed by Sidney J. Furie, and shot in Wrightwood, Antelope Valley,
and Lake Los Angeles, California, St. George, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona.

The 2008 Appaloosa film (starring Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen)
is not related to this film, although it has a similar title.

User Review

BRANDO AND SAXON MAKE THIS A CLASSIC FILM!
1 March 2003 | by whpratt1 (United States)

Quote from whp

Over the years I seemed to have missed "THE APPOLOSSA" and was thrilled to see Marlon Brando and John Saxon perform excellent roles as bandit and horse owner. The photography and close-ups kept you glued to the screen.

Brando was at his best and eleven years later made "Missouri Breakes" another picture to match this one.