Burn!

Burn!

Year: 1969

Runtime: 129 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Gillo Pontecorvo

WarHistoryDrama

The man who sells war. Professional mercenary Sir William Walker incites a slave revolt on the Caribbean island of Queimada to further the British sugar trade. Years later the Empire dispatches him again, this time to crush the very rebels he raised, whose newfound power now endangers the same sugar interests.

Burn! (1969) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Burn! (1969) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the heat‑blistered Caribbean of the 1840s, the island of Queimada looms as a coveted prize in the global sugar trade. Colonial powers, sugar magnates, and a restless enslaved population intersect on this tropical stage, creating a volatile mix of ambition, oppression, and the promise of profit. The British Admiralty, ever watchful of opportunity, eyes the island as a gateway to greater influence, setting the scene for a clash between empire and the human yearning for freedom.

Enter Sir William Walker, a polished yet ruthless mercenary whose reputation is built on selling war to the highest bidder. Calm, charismatic, and completely unencumbered by the moral weight of his assignments, Walker is the empire’s chosen agent provocateur. He moves through the cramped ports and sweltering plantations with a colonial aristocrat’s poise, yet his eyes constantly scan the landscape for leverage, profit, and the next contract. His expertise lies in lighting fires—both literal and figurative—that can be shaped to serve distant interests, making him both a catalyst and a conduit for the forces that seek to control Queimada.

Opposite Walker stands José Dolores, a magnetic leader among the island’s enslaved people, whose charisma and resolve hint at a deeper desire for self‑determination. Beside him, the idealistic yet fragile Teddy Sanchez represents a different vision of leadership, one caught between revolutionary fervor and the practicalities of governance. The uneasy alliance and subtle power play between these figures create a tension that crackles like a storm‑laden sky, promising a story where loyalty, ambition, and conscience collide. The film swathes the audience in a brooding, sun‑swept atmosphere, where the lush beauty of the island belies the simmering conflict beneath, inviting viewers to question who truly profits from rebellion and what price is paid when empires intervene.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:12

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Cynical Political Movies like Burn!

Stories of cold, calculated power plays that consume their architects.If you enjoyed the ruthless political games in Burn!, you'll find similar stories here. These movies, from historical dramas to thrillers, feature intricate plots of manipulation, foreign intervention, and the heavy moral cost of playing with human lives for geopolitical gain.

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Stories in this thread typically follow a powerful outsider or agent who enters a volatile situation to orchestrate a political outcome. Their initial success gives way to unforeseen consequences, forcing them to confront or become part of the very chaos they created, often in a bleakly ironic conclusion.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared dark tone, high-stakes political intrigue, and a focus on the moral conflict inherent in realpolitik. The pacing is usually steady, building tension through strategic dialogue and inevitable betrayals rather than constant action.

Movies about Doomed Revolutions like Burn!

Epic tales of rebellion born from hope and crushed by harsh reality.Looking for more movies with the heavy, tragic feel of the revolution in Burn!? This list features epic historical and war dramas where the fight for freedom is depicted with grim realism, exploring themes of betrayal, exploitation, and the high cost of resistance.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a group or leader fighting against an oppressive system. The initial spark of hope and righteous anger is methodically extinguished by the brutal realities of power, often highlighting the personal betrayal and martyrdom of the revolutionaries.

Why These Movies?

These films share a bleak ending feel, heavy emotional weight, and an oppressive, melancholic mood. They are united by their serious treatment of revolution as a tragic, rather than triumphant, process, grounded in themes of colonialism and economic exploitation.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Burn!

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