Martin Scorsese on 'One-Eyed Jacks' | NYFF54

Martin Scorsese introduced a screening of Marlon Brando's sole directorial effort, 'One-Eyed Jacks' (1961), during the 54th New York Film Festival. He and Steven Spielberg recently oversaw a restoration of the film, which is now playing at Film Forum.

The only film directed by Marlon Brando, an adaptation of Charles Neider’s novel (inspired by the life of Billy the Kid), is an unorthodox western that’s as fresh, unpredictable, and physical as Brando’s lead performance. This visually stunning production—the last Paramount film shot in VistaVision—could for many years be seen only in substandard public domain prints and discs. It has now been beautifully restored by Universal, with the support of The Film Foundation, and under the supervision of Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. The formidable cast includes Karl Malden, Katy Jurado, Slim Pickens, Ben Johnson, Timothy Carey, Elisha Cook Jr., and the wonderful Mexican actress Pina Pellicer.

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The 17-day New York Film Festival highlights the best in world cinema, featuring top films from celebrated filmmakers as well as fresh new talent. The five-person selection committee is chaired by New York Film Festival Director Kent Jones and includes esteemed critics, curators, and programmers.

Since 1963, the New York Film Festival has brought new and important cinematic works from around the world to Lincoln Center. In addition to the Main Slate official selections, the festival includes newly restored classics, special events, filmmaker talks, panel discussions, an Avant-Garde showcase, and much more.

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The Film Society of Lincoln Center is devoted to supporting the art and elevating the craft of cinema. The only branch of the world-renowned arts complex Lincoln Center to shine a light on the everlasting yet evolving importance of the moving image, this nonprofit organization was founded in 1969 to celebrate American and international film. Via year-round programming and discussions; its annual New York Film Festival; and its publications, including Film Comment, the U.S.’s premier magazine about films and film culture, the Film Society endeavors to make the discussion and appreciation of cinema accessible to a broader audience, as well as to ensure that it will remain an essential art form for years to come.

[markko]

"One Eyed Jacks", the best western nobody every talks about.

[plk]

One Eyed Jacks has always been one of my favorite films, despite the fact that it often seemed to be panned by critics. Now that I know Mr. Scorsese has my back, I feel vindicated.

[thibsteven]

"One Eyed Jacks" is absolutely the most underrated film of all time! I love the movie!

[robertstone]

Not only is Martin Scorcese a great director and artist but also cares about the history of film! He unselfishly took on a project that will benefit present & future film lovers! Thank you Mr. Scorcese!

[zyxmyk]

I was in a hotel room on the ocean in Texas on the Gulf.  Everybody went out for the night and I stayed there by myself.  I opened the sliding doors and could hear the surf crashing below.  I turned on the TV and One-Eyed Jacks came on, so I watched it.  What an experience!  I've loved that movie ever since.

[oktaxi]

get someone that talks about you the same way Martin Scorsese talks about film. Love this. Also, One Eyed Jacks is one of my favorite movies of all time. Totally underrated, probably by the studios as a way of getting back at Brando. He was so powerful at this time that the studio would rather pretend the movie sucked and not promote it, than give Marlon any praise and adulation. Gonna watch this with my girl soon, as I am sure she hasn't even heard of it. Thanks Marlon Brando for all your work. Much love

[philipsangster]

When I was twelve I went to see this movie alone...one of the most memorable experiences of my life...my all time FAVORITE movie...I waited years for a decent DVD of this film...I went thru several disgusting DVDs ..THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Martin and Steven..I thought all hope was lost...you guys made my movie life complete!! Had my brother in law over who hates westerns but he was enthralled by everything..I have an OLED tv and this movie made it worth the price. Gorgeous better than I remembered as a kid! Anyway thanks so much for making one of my dreams come true.

[johnmorelli]

Pina Pellicer is an acting gem in this movie. So tragic that her life was cut short.

[tungstenkid]

Jacks is one of the best westerns of all time, great acting, great dialog..:)

[SergeGolikov]

I can't believe I just found this!
"One Eyed Jacks" is in my DVD library of personal all time favorite films.
The year was 1962, my Dad took the family to see "Breakfast at Tiffanys" in Sydney, I was 13!
Before the feature, some previews were shown, up came "ONE EYED JACKS"!
I was mesmerized, a real personal Cinema Paradiso moment, the rest is history.
A classic and milestone Western, the scenes on the beach were transformative.
The next film to transform the Western genre 8 yrs later, was "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"!
That bicycle scene awith young Katherine Ross to the sound of "Raindrops Keep falling on my Head", ahh!
Pure Cinema Magic 🍺

[ElliotCoen]

I could hear Scorsese talk about film for hours and hours. The man looks exhausted though! I imagine the crunch on Silence is really getting to him. I hope he's alright and well.

[catfish]

Always been my favourite film. brooding, moody, and magnificent. For me it stands head and shoulders above any other western or any other film for that matter. Glad people are finally discovering this masterpiece.

[The_Chameleon]

Out of the three westerns Brando made One-Eyed Jacks is the best, it is also one of my favorite all time westerns. of course Brando is always great but Karl Malden gives such a great performance as a bad guy which is the first time i saw Malden play a villain.

[rustycalvera]

In 1976 (circa) Scorsese came and spoke to us film students at the University of Wisconsin. I remember his remarkable enthusiasm and love for film then. To see him speak now is to see his love and enthusiasm for film has only grown with time. What a treasure he is.

[johnmaritato]

Somebody uploaded a beautiful print here on YouTube and I finally got to see it. Magnificent movie and immediately became one of my favorite westerns.

[davefortexas]

One of my top five favorite westerns. Very realistic. Pina Pellicer (Louisa) and Brando are great together...very romantic.

[Dionysos]

Karl Malden said the original film kept having him and Brando trading the "bad guy" part and that's what made it different and interesting---but the studio wanted one of each in separate characters and that's how they cut it, which enraged Brando.

[Cafff]

A N T H O L O G I C scenes, music and Brando's dialogues. A Masterpiece.

[robertgoldenthal]

This has been my favorite Brando film for many, many years.  I wish that the lost footage could be found.  The scenes and cinematography are phenomenal, as is the acting.  What other western was ever shot with Big Sur as the background?  What other western had so much activity in Mexico, with Spanish being spoken in 1958?  What other western had a no-good, rotten bank robber turn into a sheriff, who whipped his former partner in crime in the dirty street, and then broke his shooting hand with the butt of a rifle?  I also find the psychological twists and turns to be fascinating.  And there are classic lines, i.e., "He didn't leave me no selection".  "You great big gob of spit."  "Don't do her like that, " etc. 

It is thrilling to me that Scorsese and Spielberg, two Hollywood titans, appreciate the genius of Marlon Brando's only effort as a director, and have spent time and money to remaster this beautiful film.  I would like to see this in person.  It is also a shame that Pina Pellicer committed suicide 3 years after its release.  I don't care if you don't like this movie, I love it.

[johnpendarvis]

Nobody ever mentions the gorgeous music in this film.