Queimada

Brianna Wessel-Estes

Burn! (1970)

What makes this movie different from others is this underlying theme of revenge. It's refreshing until you delve deeper into the plot. Realizing that Sir William Walker isn't just trying to liberate the slaves. His triangle mission includes: getting the slaves to revolt, take the sugar trade for England, and return slaves to servitude.

Sir William Walker was first sent to the island to advocate independence (and greed) to the plantation owners and teach revolution (and freedom) to the slaves. By "teach revolution" I mean he shows them how to liberate themselves, he gives them the means to do so. The quote, "If a man gives you freedom, then it is not freedom. Freedom is something you alone must take." When applied to Sir William Walker is funny because he promotes both sides of that argument throughout the movie. By teaching and helping them in their revolution he gives them their revolution, without his help they might not have had the means to do so. He picks out a rebel leader, befriends him, molds him, then sets him loose. Brando states that the black man must be angry about slavery on the sugar plantations before he can become free. However, he plays it off so that the slaves believe they took it themselves.

The tables turn on Sir William when he brings the committee of white men to speak with the newly freed men about investing and such. Jose realizes