In this classic Western, buffalo hunter Matt Fletcher (Marlon Brando) plans on starting a horse breeding farm with his friend Paco (Rafael Campos) in the border town of Ojo Prieto. But when a Mexican bandit (John Saxon) steals his prized Appaloosa stallion, Matt crosses the border determined to get revenge. In search of his beloved horse, Matt falls in love with a beautiful woman (Anjanette Comer), battles a band of bandits and faces poisonous scorpions.
Reviews Photos Media Info
Critics Reviews
View All (3) Critics Reviews
Craig Schroeder Battleship Pretension It's impossible to offer a full-throated recommendation of The Appaloosa. It's beautifully shot but there's not much else to glean from it. Jan 7, 2021 Full Review 
Wendy Michener Maclean's Magazine The Appaloosa combines a British feeling for style and manners with that wide-open North American vigor. But the snow scenes are strictly from Canada. Jun 27, 2019 Full Review 
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Never seemed anything but a pointless horse tale told in a style that was too mannered. Rated: C+ Jul 22, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews
Audience Reviews
View All (36) audience reviewsHenry L The cinematography in The Appolossa is worth watching alone! But fine acting by Marlon Brando and Jon Saxon, who although meeting by chance, they seem to have a destiny meant for each other! Also, impressive acting by Antenett Comer, Mexican director, Rafael Campos, Emilio Fernandez! With impressive and surprize acting playing goat farmer, Frank Silvera!Get some popcorn, sit back and enjoy! Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/31/24 Full Review Nick F Marlon Brando is always watchable, though not always for fine acting. In The Appaloosa, a 1966 Western set on the Mexican border, he doesn't have to do much apart from look tough and impenetrable and in that he succeeds admirably.He wants to settle down and, with a Mexican friend, just raise horses and has with him a fine Appaloosa he wants to use for breeding. But the horse attracts the attention of a Mexican bandit - well portrayed by John Saxon - who wants to buy the horse as a gift for his girlfriend. But when Brando refuses, the Mexican steals the horse, and the rest of the film centres on Brando trying to retrieve it.This dangerous task unfolds very slowly, with a lot of moody lingering close-ups and at times very little action. But as I said earlier, Brando is always watchable. And when finally there is a confrontation between Brando and the Mexican and his henchmen, it is grippingly played out in a snowy landscape.While far from Brando's best work, this is a good Western with great camera-work and a fine supporting cast and while slow-going at times, is well worth staying the course.Reviewed by NICK FLETCHER Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/23/24 Full Review Audience Member Wow, a very young Marlon Brando who don’t even look like himself in this one. pretty good watch try it you might like it James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas, March 24, 2023 Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/24/23 Full Review delysid d based on the low score you might think it's not a good one. it's excellent you fools Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/11/22 Full Review steve d Ok western with nothing to say. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member This western touches on the usual themes: honor, courage, physical toughness, and they are developed in an escalating mano-a-mano confrontation between characters played by Marlon Brando and John Saxon. The upshot is that both men want the same horse. In classic "Shane" tradition, Brando rides into town on said horse. But unlike Alan Ladd, Brando is not blessed with supernatural gun fighting skills. So when local Mexican bad guy John Saxon covets the horse, Brando has no quick and easy solution. Brando wisely underplays his character's resolve not to be bested, and as their conflict builds in intensity and violence, his stoicism never flags. But, rarely for Brando, he is upstaged by his antagonist. John Saxon, who I always felt was underrated, finds his sweet spot as a wealthy Mexican landowner who is not accustomed to being denied. There is a whisp of Spanish aristocracy in him that precludes dealing with Brando unjustly. Instead h3 gives Brando a fair chance at retaking his horse. From that point on you know one of these guys isn't going to get out of this situation alive.The film is worth watching for Saxon's performance. Both actors are playing against the stereotypes of their characters, but Brando is hobbled by a ridiculous wig, and there is a tiredness to his presentation that might have been provoked by the actors descent into personal dissipation around this time. He is overweight and slow. But still he is Brando, so you watch him.The storyline is ridiculous and the supporting actors are as stereotypical as they get. In particular, the Mexican man and his family with whom Brando intends to start a ranch are embarrassing in their fawning attitude to Brando. Such a scenario in a modern film would rightfully be condemned as racist.But for all that, I've still watched this little film four or five times. Most viewers won't like it as much as I. Perhaps my enthusiasm for the film is tied to my fondness for John Saxon. In this film he goes toe to toe with the biggest male star of his time and more than holds his own. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Appaloosa
My Rating
Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW
Cast & Crew
Sidney J. Furie Director Marlon Brando Matt Anjanette Comer Trini John Saxon Chuy Emilio Fernández Lazaro Alex Montoya Squint Eye Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew
Photos
View All The Appaloosa photosThe Appaloosa
The Appaloosa (1966) The Appaloosa (1966) The Appaloosa (1966) The Appaloosa (1966) View more photosSynopsis In this classic Western, buffalo hunter Matt Fletcher (Marlon Brando) plans on starting a horse breeding farm with his friend Paco (Rafael Campos) in the border town of Ojo Prieto. But when a Mexican bandit (John Saxon) steals his prized Appaloosa stallion, Matt crosses the border determined to get revenge. In search of his beloved horse, Matt falls in love with a beautiful woman (Anjanette Comer), battles a band of bandits and faces poisonous scorpions.
Director Sidney J. Furie
Producer Alan Miller
Screenwriter James Bridges, Roland Kibbee
Production Co Universal/Universal Int
Genre Western
Original Language English
Release Date (Streaming) Nov 30, 2016
Runtime 1h 38m