Overview
A mercenary's past comes back to haunt him as he faces the consequences of his actions on a Caribbean island.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- bleak
- confrontational
- politically charged
- political film night
- historical cinema marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praise Pontecorvo's direction, political writing, historical themes, and performances—especially Marlon Brando and Evaristo Márquez—while recognizing the film's stark critique of colonialism, imperialism, slavery, and racial power.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sir William Walker incites a slave revolt to advance British sugar interests, then returns years later to eliminate the rebels when their power threatens those interests.
The fictional island of Queimada and its revolt synthesize events associated with Brazil, Cuba, Santo Domingo, Jamaica, and other colonial contexts.
Walker presents himself as a revolutionary strategist while repeatedly manipulating rebellion for British commercial advantage.
Caribbean beaches, plantations, ports, and military operations are staged on a broad scale while slavery and colonial violence remain central.
Films like Burn!, and why
The Battle of Algiers
shared anti-colonial politics, revolutionary drama, imperial manipulation, and unglamorized political violence
The Last King of Scotland
shared historical revolution, colonial power struggle, political filmmaking, and morally complex leadership
Amistad
shared plantation slavery, racial power structures, historical drama, and resistance to colonial exploitation
The Wind That Shakes the Barley
shared revolutionary upheaval, imperial critique, bleak political atmosphere, and historical scope
Movie Details
- Director
- Gillo Pontecorvo
- Release Date
- 1969-12-21
- Runtime
- 129 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (137)
Cast
- Marlon Brando
- Evaristo Márquez
- Renato Salvatori
- Dana Ghia
- Valeria Ferran Wanani
- Giampiero Albertini
- Norman Hill
- Thomas Lyons
- Carlo Palmucci
- Enrico Cesaretti
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Burn! about?
- A mercenary who manufactures a Caribbean slave revolt for imperial profit is forced to confront the revolution when its leaders threaten the empire that employed him.
- What is Burn! like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Burn! as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Burn! violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Burn! as brutal.
- What did critics think of Burn!?
- Critics broadly praise Pontecorvo's direction, political writing, historical themes, and performances—especially Marlon Brando and Evaristo Márquez—while recognizing the film's stark critique of colonialism, imperialism, slavery, and racial power.
- Which films are like Burn!?
- Films with a similar feel include The Battle of Algiers, The Last King of Scotland, Amistad, and The Wind That Shakes the Barley.
- How long is Burn!?
- Burn! runs 129 minutes.
- Where can I watch Burn!?
- In United States, Burn! streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
