The Wild One
Short description
The Wild One follows a motorcycle gang calling themselves the Black Rebels as they descend on a small California town. Their leader, Johnny Strabler, becomes drawn to Kathie, the daughter of the local sheriff, while the townspeople grow increasingly hostile toward the riders. Tension builds further with the arrival of a rival club led by Chino, pushing the situation toward open confrontation.
Marlon Brando plays Johnny, with Mary Murphy as Kathie and Robert Keith as Sheriff Harry Bleeker. Lee Marvin appears as Chino, and Jay C. Flippen and Peggy Maley are among the credited cast of 65. The film was produced by Stanley Kramer and written by John Paxton. It was directed by László Benedek and was his first feature, followed the next year by Bengal Brigade. Running 79 minutes, it blends crime, drama and romance.
Released in late 1953, the film holds an IMDb rating of 6.7 from around 19,000 votes and a TMDB rating of 6.5 from 345 votes, while critics rated it 7 out of 10 across 24 reviews.
What's left behind the scenes
- Stanley Kramer (1913-2001) hired real bikers. When one of them was asked what they were rebelling against, he replied, “Well, what ya got” – and this slang term was included in the script.
- Lee Marvin (1924-1987) was genuinely intoxicated during the filming of some scenes, and his on-screen rivalry with Marlon Brando (1924-2004) extended beyond the set.
- The Triumph motorcycle ridden by Marlon Brando is actually his own.
- The conversation between Mildred and Johnny is repeated in “The Simpsons” in the episode “Different Strokes.”
- The film is based on events in Hollister in 1947, when several biker gangs caused disturbances during the annual motorcycle rally.
- The American rock band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is named after the motorcycle club from the film.
- In preparation for filming, Marlon Brando became fascinated with motorcycles and the associated lifestyle again, diligently practicing his motorcycle riding skills and selecting his own wardrobe. The actor also spent a considerable amount of time with real bikers, observing their behavior and speech.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
