Trivia / Viva Zapata!

• California Doubling: While some scenes were shot in Mexico, the majority of filming took place in Texas.
• Cast the Runner-Up: Anthony Quinn was very disappointed when Marlon Brando was cast as Emiliano Zapata - he thought that with his Latin appearance and heritage, he would have been a better choice. To solve the argument, both actors competed to see which of them could urinate furthest into the Rio Grande. Quinn lost the bet, but he won an Oscar for the best supporting actor as Zapata's brother.
• Enforced Method Acting: In his autobiography, Marlon Brando wrote that Anthony Quinn, whom he admired professionally and liked personally, acted cold and distant to him throughout the movie. It wasn't until years later they figured out Elia Kazan had told Quinn that Brando was unimpressed with his work as a way of helping to create antagonism between their characters.
• Fake Nationality: Only two actors in the film are actually Mexican - Anthony Quinn and Margo (birth name: "María Marguerita Guadalupe Teresa Estela Bolado Castilla y O'Donnell")
• What Could Have Been:
  • Tyrone Power was the studio's original choice to play Emiliano Zapata.
  • Marilyn Monroe tried and failed to obtain a part in this picture, presumably due to Darryl F. Zanuck's lack of faith in her ability, both as an actress and as a box office draw. Julie Harris was also considered.
  • Jack Palance was considered for Eufemio.
• Working Title: Zapata, The Life of Emiliano Zapata, Zapata, the Little Tiger, Emiliano Zapata, The Beloved Tiger and The Tiger.

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