The Brute (1953)
Luis Buñuel's raw Mexican noir pits a hired enforcer against his own conscience in a story of class, violence, and forbidden love.
The Brute - Movie Information
- Original Title: El Bruto
- Release Year: 1953
- Directed by: Luis Buñuel
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Crime
- Runtime: 1h 21m
- Original Language: Spanish
- Spoken Languages: Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 5, 1953 (Mexico), August 14, 1953 (France), June 30, 1956 (Italy)
- Alternative Titles: El Bruto (MX), The Brute (US)
- Production Companies: Internacional Cinematográfica
- Production Countries: Mexico
The Brute - Plot
A tough young man, who helps to kick poor people out of their houses, falls in love with a girl. She lives with her father in the building about to be demolished.
The Brute - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Buñuel's world of conflict and desire unfold:
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The Brute - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Luis Buñuel
Main Cast
- Pedro Armendáriz
- Katy Jurado
- Rosita Arenas
- Andrés Soler
- Paco Martínez
- Gloria Mestre
- Roberto Meyer
- Beatriz Ramos
- Paz Villegas
- José Muñoz
Writers
- Luis Buñuel
- Luis Alcoriza
Producers
- Gabriel Castro
- Óscar Dancigers
- Sergio Kogan
The Brute - FAQs
Who are the main actors in The Brute?
The Brute features Pedro Armendáriz in the lead role as Pedro, the brutish enforcer, alongside Katy Jurado as the alluring Paloma and Rosita Arenas as Meche. Andrés Soler and Paco Martínez round out the principal cast in this compelling Mexican drama.
What is The Brute about?
The Brute follows Pedro, a physically powerful young man employed by a ruthless landlord to intimidate and evict poor tenants from their homes. When he falls for Meche, the daughter of a tenant resisting demolition, his loyalties are torn apart in a story of class conflict and doomed love.
Where can you stream or watch The Brute?
You can watch The Brute on Amazon Video, where it's available to buy or rent. It's also available for free on FlixHouse and Fawesome, so there are several easy ways to catch this Buñuel classic without much hassle.
What themes does Luis Buñuel explore in The Brute?
Buñuel uses The Brute to dissect class exploitation and social injustice in mid-century Mexico. The film examines how the working poor are pitted against each other by the wealthy, with Pedro serving as a tragic symbol of a man weaponized by the very system that oppresses him.
Who directed The Brute and when was it released?
The Brute was directed by the legendary Spanish-Mexican filmmaker Luis Buñuel. It premiered in Mexico on February 5, 1953, followed by a French release on August 14, 1953, and an Italian release on June 30, 1956.
Is The Brute based on a true story?
The Brute is not based on a specific true story. The screenplay was written by Luis Buñuel and Luis Alcoriza as an original work, though it draws on the very real social conditions of urban poverty and tenant exploitation that were widespread in 1950s Mexico.
How long is The Brute?
The Brute runs for 81 minutes, making it a lean and tightly paced film. Buñuel keeps the story moving efficiently, delivering its social critique and dramatic tension without overstaying its welcome — a hallmark of his prolific Mexican period.
What are some movies similar to The Brute?
If you enjoyed The Brute, you might also like Buñuel's own The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz (1955) and The Great Madcap (1949). For broader thematic resonance, Cool Hand Luke (1967), Tsotsi (2005), and In the Mood for Love (2000) offer similarly gripping character-driven drama.
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