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The Missouri Breaks

Play trailer Poster for The Missouri Breaks PG Released May 19, 1976 2h 5m Western Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
When vigilante land baron David Braxton (John McLiam) hangs one of the best friends of cattle rustler Tom Logan (Jack Nicholson), Logan's gang decides to get even by purchasing a small farm next to Braxton's ranch. From there the rustlers begin stealing horses, using the farm as a front for their operation. Determined to stop the thefts at any cost, Braxton retains the services of eccentric sharpshooter Robert E. Lee Clayton (Marlon Brando), who begins ruthlessly taking down Logan's gang.

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The Missouri Breaks

Critics Reviews

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Tom Milne Sight & Sound Thomas McGuane's brilliant script operates on a sort of sliding time scale, reaching back to the early pioneer days or forward to the present to illustrate the implications of this proposition. Mar 17, 2020 Full Review Nick Pinkerton Village Voice A Western-as-capitalist-critique piece shanghaied by Marlon Brando's eccentric bounty hunter trying on brogues, mumus, and buckskin Nudie suits. Nov 12, 2008 Full Review Variety As a film achievement it's corned beef and ham hash. Jun 24, 2008 Full Review Steve Warren The Barb (Atlanta) Marlon Brando's incredibly hammy performance is enough to negate all the picture's positive aspects. May 6, 2023 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com The fact of the matter is, Brando's campy performance continues to enliven otherwise tepid material. As his foil, Nicholson is also enigmatic. Rated: 3/5 Oct 29, 2020 Full Review Dale Pollock Santa Cruz Sentinel he Missouri Breaks is a unique film that is not necessarily a great film. Jun 16, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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nick s The movie had some good points and improved as it went along. I didn't warm to the comedic moments, accompanied at times with an almost goofy score. Curiously that tone stopped after a while. Brando's performance was a little too heavy handed for me. I wasn't sure if his Irish accent was meant to be put on by the character, because it was completely dropped for some scenes, or if the actor was getting lazy. Either way I found his character distracting and almost slipping into a Brando "look at me I'm crazy" stereotype. The rest of the cast did well. Nicholson great. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/29/24 Full Review Narciso R Horrible movie, still some of it worth watching. But ultimately not worth it. Love Brando, and Nicholson, but not movie. NRJ. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 07/28/24 Full Review KB B This was such an amazing movie with it all; drama, action, comedy and a superb storyline. Jack Nicholson was excellent as usual but Marlon Brando stole every scene he was in. It's definitely worth the watch. 4.5 stars Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/06/23 Full Review David R Listen. I have no idea how some people including critics have given this classic with an avant- grade touch western middling reviews but I promise you that if you like Nicholson and Brando at their best in a wonderfully complex bloody movie with a great script you will have to really search to find better. It's that good. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/24/23 Full Review Stephen C A potentially great film ...ruined by one performance Yes Marlon Brando is terrible as the bounty Hunter in a dress talking to his horse and being fat What saves the film is Jack Nicholson and his gang of outlaws and Arthur Penn's direction By this time Brando was taking paychecks and carving off more ham than your local butcher. Thank god Nicholson is great and the support cast is fantastic Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/05/23 Full Review Olivia Y How do you actually become a film critic? Reading some of these, it can't be become they know films. This film is fascinating and the acting of the main two shows just why they are two of the best. It's right on the cusp of when westerns moved from being the formulaic 50's stuff, to a modern depiction of the true west. If you like your films straightforward and easy then this isn't for you, but there are some of us who like a challenge… Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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The Missouri Breaks

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Movie Info

Synopsis When vigilante land baron David Braxton (John McLiam) hangs one of the best friends of cattle rustler Tom Logan (Jack Nicholson), Logan's gang decides to get even by purchasing a small farm next to Braxton's ranch. From there the rustlers begin stealing horses, using the farm as a front for their operation. Determined to stop the thefts at any cost, Braxton retains the services of eccentric sharpshooter Robert E. Lee Clayton (Marlon Brando), who begins ruthlessly taking down Logan's gang.
Director
Arthur Penn
Producer
Elliott Kastner, Robert M. Sherman
Screenwriter
Thomas McGuane
Production Co
Devon/Persky-Bright
Rating
PG
Genre
Western, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 19, 1976, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Runtime
2h 5m
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