The Sunset Is Crying
The Sunset Is Crying

Movie spotlight

The Sunset Is Crying

1967
Movie
86 min
Japanese

The Spiders hit song made into a movie.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes78%
Metacritic70/100
Google Users85%
Director: Arthur PennGenres: Drama, Western

Plot Summary

In the dying days of the Old West, a hardened bounty hunter grapples with his past and a morally ambiguous present. He is drawn into a conflict involving a defiant rancher's daughter and a ruthless railroad baron, forcing him to confront the changing landscape of the frontier and his own place within it. The film explores themes of obsolescence, violence, and the loss of a romanticized era.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'The Sunset Is Crying' was met with a polarized critical response. While some lauded its gritty realism and powerful performances, particularly from Brando and Fonda, others criticized its bleak tone and perceived departure from traditional Western tropes. Over time, it has gained a reputation as a complex and influential revisionist Western.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its mature handling of Western themes and strong lead performances.

  • Criticized by some for its somber mood and challenging narrative.

  • Considered a significant example of the anti-Western genre.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's powerful acting and thought-provoking story, with many appreciating its realistic portrayal of the West's decline. Some viewers found the pacing slow and the themes too heavy, but overall, it is regarded as a classic with enduring impact.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 3 Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Marlon Brando. Won Best Cinematography at the Venice Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The iconic scene where Marlon Brando's character buries his rifle was filmed with a prop that was intentionally made to look aged and weathered, contributing to the film's gritty aesthetic.

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