This Rebel Breed

This Rebel Breed is a hard-hitting drama released in 1960 that undeniably still resonates in contemporary times due to its pertinent themes. The film endeavors to shed light on racial tensions, gang violence, and police involvement in solving these societal issues.

Set in the racially turbulent backdrop of 1950s Los Angeles, this movie stars Rita Moreno, Mark Damon, and Gerald Mohr. Damon and Mohr portray undercover cops tasked with infiltrating and neutralizing gang activities in the educational institutions of LA. Moreno embodies Lola Montalvo, a caring young woman straddled between her allegiance towards her love and her loyalty to her community.

The protagonist officers, Don Walters, played by Mark Damon and his partner Chuck Garcia, played by Gerald Mohr, gradually sink deep into the heart of the gang warfare, camouflaging as belligerent pupils. Moreno's character, Lola, serves as a beacon of hope and the moral compass in the otherwise fraught world of ethnic hatred and violence.

Directed by Richard L. Bare and William Rowland, This Rebel Breed showcases raw performances and prescient storytelling simmering between the quiet pauses and frantic action sequences. Featuring an interracial cast, the film was a bold move that further augmented its story's believability and authenticity within the film's setting. Directors Rowland and Bare have convincingly painted the shades of good, bad, and ugly in all their characters- the cops, the gangs, the victims, and observers- no one is perfect.

The black and white film does not shirk from the grimness of the subject matter, revealing the complex web of the racially motivated gang world and the ensuing violence that stems from it. It leaps into the fire pit of these toxic elements, laying the tragedy and despair bare for the audience, evoking both thought and emotion. Yet, the movie does not forget to balance this with elements of hope and reform. The characters are not merely caricatures of their racial identities, but individuals with their own struggles, dreams, and fears. It trots around the idea that circumstance often dictates actions, a thought-provoking dimension in the narrative of this movie.

This Rebel Breed doesn't just scratch the surface; it delves deep into the racial, socio-economic divide, and boils down the situation to the most personal level - individual choices and their ripple effects. It suggests that what might appear on the surface is often not the entire truth and that social issues often have hidden faces.

Featuring standout performances from the ensemble cast, Mark Damon as the conflicted officer, Gerald Mohr as the wise-talking police officer, and Rita Moreno as the conflicted but resolute Lola, the film boasts of an ensemble that does justice to their respective roles. Moreno, fresh off her performance in 'West Side Story,' particularly stands out in her portrayal of Lola, a woman torn between her loyalty to her community and her love for a man who represents everything her community resents. Moreno's riveting performance adds a considerable amount of credibility to the narrative, casting her as the emotional anchor of the film.

Strengthened by a screenplay that is neither too preachy nor overly sentimental, 'This Rebel Breed' lives up to its name through its realistic portrayal of the tumultuous, rebel-infested urban underworld. Its depiction of police-undercover operations, a gritty yet poignant narrative of racial prejudice, and a relentless struggle for justice and equality make it an intriguing watch.

With brooding cinematography and a pulsating plot-line strung together by heart-tugging performances, This Rebel Breed is a deftly crafted drama that simultaneously explores some of the darkest corners of human behavior and societal systems while basking in the undying light of hope and reform.

A daring drama that had the courage to explore the race relations issues prevalent in its time, This Rebel Breed is as much an eye-opener today as it was in 1960. More than merely a movie, it is a crucial piece of cinematic history that contributes to the conversation that must be continued in today’s world.