An opportunity for Marlon Brando to inject Method Martyrdom into the Mexican Revolution and for director Elia Kazan and scriptwriter John Steinbeck to slant things uncomfortably towards Commie bashing and overt Christian symbolism.
Pleading individualism to the point of desperation - "A strong man means a weak people: a strong people doesn't need a strong man," says Brando's charismatic leader at one point - the movie reveals in the process its own fundamental uncertainties. Overly significant, but still full of moments of real power.