TV special examines actor's life and works

The two-part documentary begins at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
By HAL BOEDEKER
ORLANDO SENTINEL
A new profile of actor Marlon Brando is -- with apologies to Tennessee Williams -- stellar, stellar.
"Brando" examines the iconic actor, impassioned activist and conflicted man. The documentary explains why Brando, who died in 2004, inspires such complicated feelings. He was brilliant and difficult, innovative and greedy, playful and tragic. He was never one way, and neither is this thoughtful profile.
The two-part, three-hour program, which premieres at 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday on TCM, restores humanity to his legend. All movie stars should be so lucky.
This profile will be indispensable to movie fans. "He is the marker," director Martin Scorsese says. "There's 'before Brando' and 'after Brando."'
Part 2 is mandatory for anyone who loves "The Godfather," the 1972 mob drama. Al Pacino, Robert Duvall and James Caan discuss pivotal scenes. The profile shares Brando's knockout test for Don Corleone, the role that brought him a second best-actor Oscar.
Sacheen Littlefeather describes declining that prize and witnessing John Wayne's fury at Brando's denunciation of Hollywood for mistreating Native Americans.
'Last Tango'
The segment on "Last Tango in Paris," a 1973 drama, is equally fascinating. In a 1977 interview, Brando says, "I never could figure out what that movie was about."
Director Bernardo Bertolucci wanted authenticity from Brando in playing a widower. The actor delivered, especially in a ferocious monologue directed at the corpse of his character's suicidal spouse. Bertolucci says the movie shocked Brando and caused a rift between them for years.
Brando never again matched that career peak. His dismissive behavior toward acting divides his colleagues. "This was not a dedicated actor who was going to work his craft," Jane Fonda says. "This man who brought so much joy to the rest of us, consummate actor, never enjoyed it."
Johnny Depp says Brando didn't care all that much, but concludes: "He's the god, and he would kill me for saying that."