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  • The Contender

  • The Story of Marlon Brando
  • By: William J. Mann
  • Narrated by: Will Damron
  • Length: 21 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (33 ratings)

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The Contender

By: William J. Mann
Narrated by: Will Damron
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Summary

Based on new and revelatory material from Brando’s own private archives, an award-winning film biographer presents a deeply-textured, ambitious, and definitive portrait of the greatest movie actor of the 20th century, the elusive Marlon Brando, bringing his extraordinarily complex life into view as never before.

The most influential movie actor of his era, Marlon Brando changed the way other actors perceived their craft. His approach was natural, honest, and deeply personal, resulting in performances - most notably in A Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront - that are without parallel. Brando was heralded as the American Hamlet - the Yank who surpassed British stage royalty Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, and Ralph Richardson as the standard of greatness in the mid-20th century.

Brando’s impact on American culture matches his professional significance; he both challenged and codified our ideas of masculinity and sexuality. Brando was also one of the first stars to use his fame as a platform to address social, political, and moral issues, courageously calling out America’s deeply rooted racism.

William Mann’s brilliant biography of the Hollywood legend illuminates this culture icon for a new age. Mann astutely argues that Brando was not only a great actor but also a cultural soothsayer, a Cassandra warning us about the challenges to come. Brando’s admonitions against the monetization of nearly every aspect of the culture were prescient. His public protests against racial segregation and discrimination at the height of the Civil Rights movement - getting himself arrested at least once - were criticized as being needlessly provocative. Yet those actions of 50 years ago have become a model many actors follow today.

Psychologically astute and masterfully researched, based on new and revelatory material, The Contender explores the star and the man in full, including the childhood traumas that reverberated through his professional and personal life. It is a dazzling biography of our nation’s greatest actor that is sure to become an instant classic.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 William J. Mann (P)2019 HarperAudio
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ABSORBING BIOGRAPHY

Why is Marlon Brando widely considered the greatest movie actor of all time? This book helped me better understand the reasons.
Although his filmography included more than his fair share of flops, this book explains how his so-called ‘genius’ (and he’d be uncomfortable with that word) shone through in films like A Streetcar Named Desire; On The Waterfront; The Godfather; and Last Tango In Paris. Great dissection of these films, and others.
The book tells the story of a man who hated the superficiality of Tinseltown; who felt acting was an irrelevant indignity; and who was far more interested in campaigning for racial equality, opposing capital punishment and speaking up for the American Indians.
This biography is masterfully structured – not simply a chronological read, reflecting perhaps the complex nature of the subject matter himself.
I was looking forward to a little more on Apocalypse Now beyond a brief consideration (it’s one of my all-time favourites). But that’s a small fry comment about what otherwise is a deeply riveting portrait of a remarkable actor.

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Interesting approach

I think the way the story was structured was phenomenal, I enjoyed the focus on certain points with passages added about the past to add context. At times the author is a little blindsided by the star and pardons some of the more troubling aspects of Brando’s legend. Very good overall, however.

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a great biography of a troubled soul

I'm a big fan of marlon brando and was happy to listen go this. it really dives into his childhood, his career and his many relationships with many women. if you want to find out more about one of the greatest actors of all time, this is definitely worth a listen

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very informative

a comprehensive look at the great man's life , passions,& his body of work.
never a dull individual was brando.

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A Remarkable Life

A Superb Biography Of The Greatest Actor Of All Time. There Will Never Be Another Like Marl Brando.

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Marvellous! A real tour de forcé

An exquisite biography of a mesmerising life.
Thoroughly enjoyed it. Couldn’t put it down.
Highly recommended

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loved it!

i feel i almost know marlon brando now.. amazing person and well ahead of his time, looking at todays society.

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Not a stone unturned.

Extremely detailed and rather empathetic take on the life Mr. Brando. I decided to give this a listen after watching ‘Listen to me Marlon’ and was not disappointed. Very well read.

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