Enter Marlon Brando. He has that great presence. I'm sure the kids of the time must have glommed on to his rebellious presence with that big Triumph, spitting in the face of authority. His character is rather simplistic. He is so self centered and sorry for himself that it's hard to care much. At his age, he really hasn't had much time to develop so much angst. He and his buddies are out to hurt people because they feel entitled. The townspeople may not be perfect, but they have no role in his life and this pack shows up. Early 1950's people probably would have reacted the same way. If they are there on some diplomatic mission to change the prejudice against them, I suppose you could support them. But they are pack and the frighten people. What did they think was going to happen? Anyway, it got Brando into the movies and his charismatic being is all over the place. I would guess, knowing what attitude he carried around, that this wouldn't have been his most prized moment.
Review of The Wild One
