Burn!

Original title: Queimada

1969
R
1h 52m

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

YOUR RATING

During a slave revolt in 1844, a British mercenary helps an Antilles island colony gain its independence from Portugal, but years later he returns to manhunt a local rebel army leader and former friend.

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Period Drama Political Drama Action Drama War

In 1844, a British mercenary helps the revolting slaves of an Antilles island colony gain independence from Portugal, but later returns to hunt down a local rebel leader and former protégé.In 1844, a British mercenary helps the revolting slaves of an Antilles island colony gain independence from Portugal, but later returns to hunt down a local rebel leader and former protégé.In 1844, a British mercenary helps the revolting slaves of an Antilles island colony gain independence from Portugal, but later returns to hunt down a local rebel leader and former protégé.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 5 wins & 1 nomination total

José Dolores
(as Evaristo Marquez)

Renato Salvatori

Teddy Sanchez

Dana Ghia

Francesca

Valeria Ferran Wanani

Guarina

Giampiero Albertini

Henry Thompson

Carlo Palmucci

Jack

Norman Hill

Shelton

Thomas Lyons

General Prada

Turam Quibo

Juanito
(as Joseph P. Persaud)

Álvaro Medrano

Soldier
(as Alvaro Medrano)

Alejandro Obregón

Engl. Major
(as Alejandro Obregon)

Enrico Cesaretti

Cicely Browne

Lady Bella
(uncredited)

Sam Gilman

Man on the ship
(uncredited)

Herbert Jefferson Jr.

Maurice Rodriguez

Ramón
(uncredited)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Marlon Brando once said this film contains "the best acting I've ever done."

Goofs
Portugal never had any colonies in the Caribbean. Its only American colony, Brazil, has no coast in the Caribbean.

Quotes
Sir William Walker: Gentlemen, let me ask you a question. Now, my metaphor may seem a trifle impertinent, but I think it's very much to the point. Which do you prefer - or should I say, which do you find more convenient - a wife, or one of these mulatto girls? No, no, please don't misunderstand: I am talking strictly in terms of economics. What is the cost of the product? What is the product yield? The product, in this case, being love - uh, purely physical love, since sentiments obviously play no part in economics.
[general laughter]
Sir William Walker: Quite. Now, a wife must be provided with a home, with food, with dresses, with medical attention, etc, etc. You're obliged to keep her a whole lifetime even when she's grown old and perhaps a trifle unproductive. And then, of course, if you have the bad luck to survive her, you have to pay for the funeral!
[general laughter]
Sir William Walker: It's true, isn't it? Gentlemen, I know it's amusing, but those are the facts, aren't they? Now with a prostitute, on the other hand, it's quite a different matter, isn't it? You see, there's no need to lodge her or feed her, certainly no need to dress her or to bury her, thank God. She's yours only when you need her, you pay her only for that service, and you pay her by the hour! Which, gentlemen, is more important - and more convenient: a slave or a paid worker?

Alternate versions
The complete version of this film runs 132 minutes. A 112-minute version under the title "Burn!" was released in the USA and the UK.

Connections
Featured in Pontecorvo: The Dictatorship of Truth (1992)

User reviews64

Review

Featured review

A Complex Political Thriller

Albert Oyahon (a previous review) seems to have said it all. This indeed is a deeply complex, gripping and deeply political film. For those who are used to simple moral tales it will seem confusing, uncomfortable even, but for those who relish the complexity of the human condition it is a challenging and thoughtful film. The number of truly outstanding political thrillers can be counted on the fingers of one hand (A Man For All Seasons and Z come to mind) but this ranks amongst the best. With the possible exception of On The Waterfront, it is difficult to think of a film in which Brando gave a better performance. He is outstanding as a complex political manipulator. The film also has qualities that arise only when different cultures (in this case Europe and The Americas) come together. To an intelligent filmgoer I cannot recommend this film too highly.