Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Brute Breaker Synopsis
At a French Canadian logging camp, stranger Louis Graintaire canoes through impassable rapids to the delight of Little Jean, a crippled boy who hopes that Louis will thrash his tormentor, camp bully Baptiste Navet. That evening Louis arouses Navet's enmity by dancing with Annette Bosseut, the daughter of the camp superintendent. Navet challenges Louis to a fight, but when the day comes, Louis and the boy cannot be found. When Louis returns, Annette and her father accuse him of kidnapping. After three bullies of neighboring camps die while trying to kill Louis, and Navet, repulsed by Annette, sets fire to the forest, Louis knocks Navet unconscious and saves Annette by canoeing through the dangerous rapids. He explains that he is the owner of all the camps and is making the rounds breaking bullies who terrorize the weak. Jean, sent to be cured, returns prancing about with a priest who marries Louis and Annette.
Mr. Opp Synopsis
Optimistic in the face of failure, Daniel Webster Opp finally attains success as a traveling salesman for a shoe firm, but just when his prospects are best, he receives word that his stepfather is dead. He leaves at once to meet his brother Ben at Cove Junction, where they settle the estate according to Ben's demands. Ben takes the money, while Mr. Opp is given the homestead and custody of their feeble-minded half-sister Kippy. Sacrificing all to remain with his sister, Mr. Opp founds a newspaper, "The Opp Eagle," and starts to promote the town. His optimistic editorials are read by John Mathews, a wealthy promoter who comes to investigate the possibility of coal in the area. After convincing the townspeople to invest their money, Mathews discovers the mine to be worthless and decides to sell out to the competition, against Mr. Opp's wishes. Next, Mr. Opp loses his sweetheart Guinevere Gusty to Mathew's secretary, Willard Hinton. Throughout, Mr. Opp remains cheerful and is rewarded for his optimism when the townspeople nominate him to be mayor of Cove Junction.
"The Brute Breaker" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "Mr. Opp" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Brute Breaker