Some things I liked some I did not.

good back-story, and good acting

The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

You don't need much of a story-line or other talented cast members if you cast Marlon Brando in a movie. This movie is all about his charisma, screen presence, marvelous expressions, that awesome leather jacket & bike gangs. Honestly, I came across this movie while I was searching for biker's leather jacket. When I found out Marlon was the one who set its trend, I fell in love with that jacket even more. Lets get to the movie. Mary Murphy did really good with her character. Others were good too. You cannot expect much from a 1953 movie. The attitude shown by Johnny towards women may not be relevant in this era. But that is what defined rowdy bikers in that era & Brando captures the essence of it with ease. The smile in the last scene says it all :)P.S. This movie is for fans of Brando & those who like the bike gangs & that iconic leather jacket.

Marlon Brando's "The Wild One" from 1953 (black & white) could arguably be called the first biker flick, even though parts of the story/dialogue come off artificial, amusing and tame, especially compared to the first REAL biker flick, Peter Fonda's "The Wild Angels" from 1966.THE STORY: Two bike gangs clash in Hollister, California, Marlon Brando's Black Rebels and Lee Marvin's The Beatles. (I'm not sure if Hollister is the name of the town in the film, but that's where it was actually shot; Hollister is about 70 miles SE of San Francisco).WHAT WORKS: Needless to say, Marlon Brando is superb as the taciturn Black Rebels' leader. At the opposite end of the dispositional spectrum Lee Marvin is just as exquisite as the merry, fun-brawling leader of The Beetles. Mary Murphy is also very good as the cafe worker that shares a few romantic sparks with Brando.Brando was 30 years old at the time of this picture's release, so it's not very appropriate that he's constantly referred to as "boy" in the film. Regardless, Marlon as the titular 'wild one' is definitely the prototype of Fonzy-like "cool," a full 2 years before James Dean's "Rebel Without a Cause" would materialize. His "Whaddaya got?" response to the question "What are you rebelling against?" is priceless, to say the least.WHAT DOESN'T WORK: Although the plot is good (loosely based on a real event), the story's dramatic stagings and shifts, not to mention the trying-to-be-hip non-genuine lingo, provoke an amused "Yeah, right" response. Such phoniness will naturally hinder modern viewers from becoming enraptured by the story ("modern viewer" includes anyone who grew up on post-50s cinema -- i.e. mid-60s to the present).Still, a couple of story elements work well, like the ending ***minor SPOILER alert*** when a police officer encourages Brando to thank Mary and her father; Marlon appears to try but ultimately maintains his silent 'cool' demeanor. Mary then responds, "It's okay, he doesn't know how." Although she's right, Brando comes back a day or so later to indeed express his thanks, albeit in a non-verbal manner.BOTTOM LINE: If you're looking for a classic biker flick, don't expect "The Wild One" to remotely resemble the infamous late 60's/early 70's biker films, such as "The Wild Angels" or "Hell's Angels on Wheels." Keep in mind that cinematic "gritty realism" didn't come into vogue until the 60s. Hence, it should come as no surprise that "The Wild One" largely comes off as lame, tame, artificial and amusing, you know what I'm saying, Daddy-O? Still, Marlon Brando towers over the material and there are a few worthwhile qualities, as noted above. Needless to say, a must for Brando fans and those interested in classic cinema or amusing old-fashioned dialogue.GRADE: C

. . . but, sad to say, Marlon Brando as "the wild one" isn't very. Brando as Don Vito Corleone would flick off Brando's lisping Johnny Strabler like a stray booger. Brando as Fletcher Christian (1962 version) would send Johnny off on a long walk from a short plank. Brando as crazy old coot Col. Walter E. Kurtz literally would carve up this Johnny punk for lunch. The one good thing that can be said about Brando's "big career break" in THE WILD ONE is that at least he did not make his film debut in a white lab jacket clearing crap out of rat cages as did Clint Eastwood in REVENGE OF THE CREATURE (1955, in which Dirty Harry played "Jennings," who did not even merit a first name). It's no wonder that the one passable chick in this "terrorized" town, Mary Murphy as "Kathie," is smiling as Johnny bikes out of her dirt-street hamlet; she's probably thinking, "Good riddance to rotten rubbish."

Marlon Brando is one of the most talented actors of all time, and this is is one of his finest performances. The Wild One may not have the status of On the Waterfront, or A Street Car Named Desire, his other two knockout roles, but it is still an enjoyable and engaging film, and one of my personal favorites from the era in which it was made. It takes you back to another time. The Wild One does have a few moments that show its age, but its themes are timeless, and the characterization is just as artful as it was back when it was made. I highly recommend this movie to all audiences who enjoy classic cinema. You'll certainly have to look hard to find better acting.