Reviews (5)

A PRESCIENT DRAMA
Marlon Brando starred in "The Ugly American", which despite its title was not liberal, but proved to be prescient. It was loosely based on the friendship developed between an American fighter pilot, shot down and fighting with guerillas, and Ho Chi Minh, who was fighting the Japanese during World War II. Marlon, the former pilot-turned-PR-executive, is named ambassador to a small Southeast Asian nation modeled on Indochina. The reason he is appointed is because of his friendship with a populist leader there who the U.S. fears may be a Communist. Brando assures them the man is not one, but when he gets there he discovers the man is. Their friendship turns into mortal enmity, and America's largesse, goodwill and social conscience are thrown back at us by savage mobs roiled by Marxist ideology. The final scene shows a press conference detailing the crisis, with a businessman changing the channel on his TV to show American indifference to the world's crises. Considering what happened in Vietnam over the next years, it proved to be a real cautionary tale.

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM

Brando does it again. Hard-hitting Cold War drama.
This is a fine movie starring Marlon Brando and an excellent supporting cast. Marlon Brando stars as Ambassador McWhite to the fictional Southeast Asian nation of Sarkhan. Eiji Okada turns in a bravo performance as Cheyoung, a wartime comrade of McWhite's who is now a Sarkhanese national hero and who is opposed to American involvement with and presence in Sarkhan. The two men have good chemistry even as their goals are conflicted. Despite once being the closest of wartime friends, McWhite and Cheyoung now find themselves to be enemies.

This is obviously at least in part an allegory of American involvement in Vietnam and other Asian countries, a topic that was at the forefront of American politics when this movie was made. Nonetheless, after watching the film recently after not seeing it for about 25 years, I found that it had lost none of its impact or relevance. This is a very good film with a solid storyline, a relevant political message, and good acting. These all combine to make this film a fine and rewarding viewing experience.

Not quite what it seems...
It's been a long time since I've seen the Ugly American. I would have watched it more, it's just that it's so difficult to find... anywhere. Many people consider it a political drama. I would have to disagree. To me, it's more of a social commentary, not only on the entire situation in Vietnam, but also as relates to US foreign policy in general.
It never pretends to have any of the intricacy of "The Insider," or the insight of "JFK." It is, none the less, one of the better fils I have seen to date. Marlon Brando's performance is admirable, and the mood almost reminds me of an Akira Kurosawa movie.
In my opinion, this movie has been overshadowed because people did not like the message it sent, nor did they like the often thinly veiled criticism of US foreign policy during the 60's.

Overall, I would say it was an excellent movie, turning me from an apathetic movie watcher to a marlon brando fan.

Fascinating Vietnam Era Drama with Brando
Fascinating drama about Communist insurgency in early-60s Southeast Asia. Takes place in a fictional country named "Sarkhan," which was based at the time on the situations in Laos and Vietnam. Brando is great as the U.S. Ambassador to volatile Sarkhan, trying to balance American political objectives with the nationalist sentiments of the "Sarkhanese" people. Perhaps one of the most intelligent political films of the 1960s. Also includes the Asian perspective and real Asian settings, a rare achievement for a Hollywood film of that era. It was beautifully filmed in Thailand, and the VHS looks great. The story lacks clarity and pace at a few points, keeping the film from being five-star. But it succeeds as a rich character drama in an exotic setting, and an powerful historical statement...a much more intelligent look at the politics of the 1960s in Asia than more famous films like "The Green Berets." Highly recommended for viewers interested in Asia, the Vietnam War era, and Brando fans.

Just Doesn't Deliver
The Ugly American is one of those typical political dramas that falls short of what it hopes to accomplish. Marlon Brando plays Harrison Carter McWhite, an American ambassador sent to the fictional southeastern Asian country of Sarkhan, where a political uproar has begun over an American project. The project is the building of a road called Freedom Road, and the uproar is over the fact the natives of Sarkhan do not want it. Enter McWhite to solve the problem. And he brings a special talent to the table, he has been friends for years with the leader of the revolt, a revolutinary named Cheyung. Unfortunately much time has passed and it seems McWhite no longer has any influence over Cheyung. Tensions between them escalate, particullarly after McWhite discovers Cheyoung is in favor of a new communist government for Sarkhan. Then disaster strikes at the grand opening of Freedom Road. Cheyoung is responsible, but it is later discovered he is being used to start the revolt, only to be assasignated when it is through. And thus the picture ends shortly after with the events ensueing.

This movie failed to gain the simpathetic feeling refected by it's tone. The performances are on the whole pretty good, and Brando creates another interesting personality in McWhite. However, good acting does not make a good movie, as is the case here. George Englund's direction is poor and the film seems to hit and miss all over the place.

A decent film for Brando fans but seekers of political dramas will find this film does not deliver. ... Read more

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Advertised in 1970 as "the first electric Western," Zachariah isan endearingly pretentious effort that prefigures such genre oddities asJodorowsky's El Topo and Alex Cox's Straight to Hell. The story isthe archetypal one about two friends who become gunslingers and must inevitablyface off against each other in the finale. But it's treated here as if it meantsomething deeper, which means that after enjoying 75 minutes of violence we canall agree that peace and love and harmony is on the whole better for childrenand other living things. Curly haired farm boy Zachariah (John Rubinstein) andeternally grinning apprentice blacksmith Matthew (Don Johnson) are the fastfriends who run away from home to join up with a gang of outlaws known as theCrackers (played by hippie folk-rock collective Country Joe and the Fish). Theseapparent 19th-century Westerners tote electric guitars and are given to stagingfree festival freak-outs at one end of town to distract from the bank robbery atthe other. The boys soon hook up with Job Cain (Elvin Jones), an all-in-blackmaster gunfighter who is also an ace drummer (his solo is impressive), but thendrift apart as Zachariah has a liaison with Old West madam Belle Starr (PatriciaQuinn) in a town that consists of fairground-style brightly painted wooden cut- out buildings (a gag reused in Blazing Saddles), then gets rid of hisoutrageous all-white cowboy outfit to settle down on a homestead and grow hisown dope and vegetables. Matthew, of course, goes for the black-leather lookafter outdrawing Cain, and comes a-gunning for the only man who might be fasterthan he, but the hippie-era message is that once these kids have killed everyoneelse, they can still make peace with each other and the desert or something,man.

Aside from a Beatle-haired teenage Johnson making a fool of himself by overlyemoting to contrast with Rubinstein's nonperformance, the film offers a lot ofbeautiful "acid Western" scenery and excellent prog rock and bluegrass musicfrom the James Gang, White Lightnin', and the New York Rock Ensemble. Comedytroupe the Firesign Theatre (huge on album in 1970) provided the script, which explainssatirical touches like the horse-and-buggy salesman (Dick Van Patten) spielinglike a used car dealer and the madam's claim to have had affairs withgunslingers from Billy the Kid to Marshall McLuhan. --Kim Newman ... Read more

Reviews (10)

31 Years Later - Still a Great Movie!
I saw this movie when it was first released in the theatre (1970). Being a fan of Country Joe and the Fish and James Gang got me to the movie originally. The movie itself made me never forget it. When I saw it was on DVD, I had to get it, and I'm glad I did. All the unlikely scenes (electric guitars, drum solos, etc.) fit right into the story and never seem out of place. Watching Zachariah again was more than nostalgia, and I felt good afterwards. Highly recommended!

Early 70's Rock & Roll Western Cult Film
I remember seeing this one at the midnight movie show numerous times during the early 70's. If you like somewhat absurd, campy humor & early 70's electric rock & roll, it is a must for a collector. Country Joe & the Fish are great! The James Gang & NY Rock Ensemble are electrified! Doug Kershaw's fiddle playin is very hot! Super sound track! Not politically correct!

"For Novelty Use Only"
Still dont remember why I bought this DVD, or why it sat for 4 years before watching it. Anyway, this movie is a real hoot. From Don Johnson's premiere as an 18 yr old Prom Queen lookalike with a sidearm to Country Joe's surreal insertion into an old west shoot-em-up saloon. The whole thing is just twisted as hell, and semi-fun.

A recommended rental with a 6 pack. 3 tokes.

A movie that was perfect for its time
"Zachariah" has remained one of the most vivid memories of my teenage cinematic years. And I only saw it once. As a 14-year-old in 1970, it was perfectly timed to take advantage of the growing fusion of rock, drugs, rebellion, free love and good times that were evolving through the culture. And it packaged them up in a funny, satirical fashion that was uniquely themed as a Western. I still remember one of the gunfight songs "Zachariah, Zachariah don't go to Apache Wells; 19's tried and 19's died, and you'll make only one."

If you're a hippie product of the 70s era, "Zachariah" is a must see, as much for the fun, gags and drug references, as for the actors who went on to further stardom whether in movies or television.

Grooovy
After reading the reviews for this film, you will realize that Zachariah is a "Love it or hate it" phenomenon. If you can't appreciate camp, then you have no business watching this one. I am in the "Love it" category myself. For me, the Elvin Jones drum solo is enough reason to buy this one. I am also a fan of Country Joe, and I enjoy all the music in this one. The fiddler's tune always sticks in my head for days after I hear it. Of course, the acting is horrid. You have to expect that (Although Elvin Jones is surprisingly good). The homo-eroticism is a bit silly, but so is everything else in this one. The Herman Hesse connection really takes it to another level. It amuses me to no end that this silly romp is based on a serious work of literature and is remarkably true to the original (Except for the ending). ... Read more