Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Gillo Pontecorvo's Burn! (1969). Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 4 page review of this film, focusing on the relationship between Walker and Dolores. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: KL9_khburn.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
this film is a political allegory that is presented as a "costume action-adventure picture" (Taubin). Its American title (the film was marketed in Europe under the title Queimada, which means
"burn" in Portuguese), refers to the tactic used by both Portuguese and later by British overlords of a fictional Caribbean island, which is referred to as "Quiemada" (Taubin). The Portuguese
originally gained control of the island by slaughtering the indigenous population, which refused to become slaves, and then reducing the sugarcane fields to "scorched earth" (Taubin). African slaves were then
imported to work the fields. The film opens in the nineteenth century during a time when a slave revolt is anticipated. The British view the possibility of a slave
revolt on the island as an ideal opportunity to oust the Portuguese and take over the island themselves as a colonial possession. Sir William Walker (played by Marlon Brando) is
sent by the government to encourage the result and then institute a puppet government, which the British can control. Walker finds a natural-born leader among the plantation workers, Jose Dolores.
The fact that the rebel leaders name sounds Spanish, rather than Portuguese is not a coincidence. The script originally called for the island to be governed by Spain, rather than
Portugal, which makes more sense from a historical perspective, as Spains colonial possession are the most prominent, Brazil being the loan exception. However, the producers changed the nationality of the
bad guys because Portugal has a "considerably smaller share of international box-office receipts than Spain" (Taubin). Under Walkers mentorship, Dolores leads his people to victory. Amy Taubins review for
Film Comment describes the emotional impact of the victory procession of the "ragtag" but "radiant" slave army very well, as she writes that the viewer wants to leap up and
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