Search - The Wild One on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Mild Violence, Violence, Questionable for Children Movie Release: 1954 DVD Release: 11/10/1998 Format: DVD - Black and White,Pan and Scan Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 19 mins Studio: Columbia TriStar Members Wishing: 10 Genres: Drama, Biker Film

"What are you rebelling against?" asks someone. "What've you got?" responds surly, leather-jacketed motorcycle punk Marlon Brando. It comes as a disappointment to discover that The Wild One, the quintessential Brando "rebel" film, is at base a traditional "misunderstood youth vs. the nasty system" effort, with a particularly banal finale. Based on a true incident, the film begins with Brando and his motorcyle gang invading a small town after having been kicked out of a cycle competition (but not before stealing the second-prize trophy). Brando's bikers raise hell all day, but some of the townsfolk are shown to be little better than the invaders. Sheriff Robert Keith, whose daughter (Murphy) has gone fond of Brando, finally responds to the bikers' destructiveness by jailing Lee Marvin, leader of a rival gang. When Marvin's buddies goes on a rampage, Brando exhibits his essential decency by safely escorting the sheriff's daughter out of the melee. The townsfolk misunderstand, assuming that Brando intends to rape the girl. He is attacked by a vigilante mob led by town hothead Ray Teal, who uses this excuse to exercise his own sadistic tendencies. Keith breaks up the mob and suggests that Brando leave; he tries to do so, but another angry response from the mob causes him to inadvertently strike and kill a pedestrian. At the subsequent hearing, the girl rushes to Brando's defense. Though grateful for the unexpected kindness, Brando is constitutionally unable to say "thank you" and rides out of town alone. The image of Marlon Brando astride his Triumph has entered movie folklore, just like King Kong on the Empire State Building or the billow-skirted Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway grating; it's too bad that The Wild One isn't a more worthy vehicle for Brando's talents. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Marlon Brando - Johnny
Mary Murphy - Kathie
Robert Keith - Harry Bleeker
Lee Marvin - Chino
Jay C. Flippen - Sheriff Singer

Acting legend Marlon Brando stars in director László Benedek's 1953 drama The Wild One. Columbia has done excellent work on this 1.33:1 full frame transfer (the film's original aspect ratio). The black and white colors are all well saturated and crisp with only the slightest amount of grain penetrating the image. While this picture may not be reference quality, overall it's the best the film has ever looked. The soundtrack is presented in Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono in English and French and often sounds flat and boring. Any dynamic range and fidelity is sorely lacking, though this is to be expected from a film of such considerable age. All aspects of the mix are happily free and clear of any excessive hiss or distortion. Also included on this disc are English and French subtitles. The only extra feature available on this disc is a theatrical trailer for the film, making this DVD edition of The Wild One a nearly bare bones disc. ~ Patrick Naugle, All Movie Guide