Following his successful debut on Broadway Theater in “A Streetcar Named Desire”, a 25-year-old Marlon Brando decided to leave the theater behind, headed out west to try for film stardom. He portrayed the role of a bitter paraplegic war veteran facing struggles while attempting to adjust to society in the movie ‘The Men’. The film gives some idea of the horrific aftermath of war and its effects on the ‘heroes’ it disfigures. This movie depicted all aspects of a veteran life, conflict, pain, tragedy, suffering, doubt, and triumph. This film is one of Brando’s all-time best, pure emotion.
Brando spent a month at the Birmingham Army Hospital in Van Nuys, Los Angeles to prepare for his role. Film reviewer Bosley Crowther of the New York Times wrote that his character “is so vividly real, dynamic and sensitive that his illusion is complete.”
Here below are some photographs that show how Marlon Brando was trained for his role in the movie ‘The Men’.