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While Marlon Brando’s “One-Eyed Jacks” from 1961 might not always be the first film mentioned when discussing his finest work, it certainly deserves a place in the conversation. This Western tells the riveting story of Rio, portrayed by Brando, who seeks revenge after being betrayed by his former partner in crime, Dad Longworth, played by Karl Malden. Notably, this film marks Brando’s singular experience as a director, making it one of his rare non-acting credits, alongside a producer and a cinematography credit, both for documentaries.
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Upon its initial release, “One-Eyed Jacks” received a lukewarm reception. However, its reputation has significantly improved over the years. In 2018, the film was honored with a place in the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry, joining an illustrious group of inductees that included cinematic masterpieces like “Jurassic Park,” “The Shining,” and “My Fair Lady.”
While it may have achieved the status of a cult classic rather than a universally recognized masterpiece, “One-Eyed Jacks” continues to garner admiration. The renowned Criterion Collection describes it as “one of Brando’s great achievements,” praising his portrayal of Rio as one of the most tender and intense characters among the outsider roles he famously embodied throughout his career.
As “One-Eyed Jacks” stands as Brando’s sole directorial endeavor, he joins the ranks of filmmakers who have only helmed a single film. The production process was notoriously challenging, with Brando’s perfectionist approach creating tension among the crew and financiers. However, it’s worth noting that the project was fraught with issues even before Brando took over the director’s chair.
The film was initially intended to be directed by Stanley Kubrick, a filmmaker known for his complicated relationships with actors. Kubrick’s departure from the project is shrouded in controversy, with creative differences with Brando cited as a primary reason. Subsequently, Karl Malden was offered the role of director but declined. Ultimately, Brando decided to take charge, stepping into the director’s role for the first and only time with “One-Eyed Jacks.”
Brando was third in line to direct after Stanley Kubrick and Karl Malden
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Given that “One-Eyed Jacks” would be the sole motion picture he directed, Marlon Brando is technically included among those filmmakers who only made one movie. And given how the production went, it’s probably for the best. Brando didn’t make things easy for his crew, bringing the kind of perfectionist touch that might get results but doesn’t tend to endear a director to the folks working for him — or the ones paying for the production. In his defense, however, “One-Eyed Jacks” was a production that was already fraught with problems long before he took the directorial reins.
The original plan was for Stanley Kubrick to direct “One-Eyed Jacks” — speaking of directors that actors hated working with — but that didn’t pan out. The reasons behind his departure are somewhat contentious, but creative differences with Brando seem to be at the heart of his exit. Next, Brando’s co-star, Karl Malden, was offered the director’s chair, but he declined. It was at this point that Brando realized he was the only man for the job, and he got behind the camera for the first and last time to become the director of “One-Eyed Jacks.”
