The Verdict

So you see we have a film that in presentation is very good indeed, but as an artistic unit it is a failure. It has shown us, above all, that in the film today the script's the thing and no amount of brilliant direction or acting can wholly compensate for a poor one. I've said that before, but it seems that the quality of scripts is not going hand in hand with technical advancement, but if perhaps another "Bicycle Thieves" or "Brief Encounter" were to come along I'd shut up. But in the meantime we must be content with "Viva Zapata." It's a little empty, but it's skilful in direction and acting, and most people seen; easily entertained by just that.

I.R.