Viva Zapata

Los Angeles: Twentieth Century-Fox, 1951. Final script for the 1952 film. Based on the life of Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata. Xerographically reproduced Fox file copy, likely produced by the studio for its files in the late 1960s or a bit later.

Kazan's romanticized, semi-fictional account of Zapata in his prime, this sweeping early Brando film glorifies the revolutionary's noble intentions and largely overlooks the rest. The culmination of screenwriter Steinbeck's long-standing fascination with Zapata, it was said that Steinbeck had begun work on such a screenplay as early as 1948. The subject was a touchy one, as the MPAA's Production Code Administration had been discouraging studios from working on such a film, and there were prolonged negotiations with the Mexican government about approval over the film's release that culminated in a second cut of the film especially for Mexican distribution. Kazan and Steinbeck, both ex-Communists, are said to have used this film to metaphorically express how they felt Communism in the Soviet Union had gone off the rails.

The film won Anthony Quinn an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and it was nominated for four others. It also won Best Actor at Cannes and was nominated for the Grand Prize.

Set in Mexico, shot on location in Mexico, New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas.

Pale blue titled wrappers, noted as FINAL on the front wrapper, dated Feb. 6, 1951. Title page present, dated February 6, 1951, noted as Final Script, with credits for screenwriter Steinbeck. 149 leaves, photocopied. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Near Fine, spiral bound.

[Book #132102]