Since I loved Marlon Brando's performance as a German soldier in The Young Lions, I was very excited to see him play another one in Morituri. The set-up of this movie was enough to lure me in even without his flawless accent (which was just as perfect as it was seven years earlier): Marlon plays a German living in England in order to avoid fighting in WWII. He's approached by Trevor Howard, who blackmails him into playing a double agent. If Marlon refuses, he'll be turned over to the Germans and have to fight anyway, but if he agrees, he'll get a British passport after his mission is completed. Intriguing, isn't it?
Marlon gets gussied up in a uniform, briefed on his orders, and boards the cargo ship run by Yul Brynner. Yul is immediately suspicious of the newcomer, but Marlon does his best to ingratiate himself among every crew member - while also trying to sabotage the ship and report back to Trevor. It's a very exciting, fast-paced drama set in a tense environment where there is no escape. Out on the choppy sea, if Marlon is discovered, he can't get help from anyone.
If you haven't heard of this oldie, and you like seeing Marlon in his less-famous roles, rent Morituri this weekend. He has some great expressions, and once again gets to show up other actors who failed to convincingly put on a German accent (I'm looking at you, Burt Lancaster!).
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Since the film takes place on a ship, there are some camera bobs that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
Marlon gets gussied up in a uniform, briefed on his orders, and boards the cargo ship run by Yul Brynner. Yul is immediately suspicious of the newcomer, but Marlon does his best to ingratiate himself among every crew member - while also trying to sabotage the ship and report back to Trevor. It's a very exciting, fast-paced drama set in a tense environment where there is no escape. Out on the choppy sea, if Marlon is discovered, he can't get help from anyone.
If you haven't heard of this oldie, and you like seeing Marlon in his less-famous roles, rent Morituri this weekend. He has some great expressions, and once again gets to show up other actors who failed to convincingly put on a German accent (I'm looking at you, Burt Lancaster!).
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Since the film takes place on a ship, there are some camera bobs that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"