Arthur Miller's 1949 classic DEATH OF A SALESMAN was a score with both critics and audiences alike, quickly becoming one of his most famous works. Volker Schlöndorff's on-screen adaption certainly lives up to this banner. Realistic and poignant, it captures the essence of Miller's message with delicate ese.2
Plot Overview
Death of a Salesman is a tragedy of Willy Loman, an everyman's character. The play is mainly concerned with the fulfillment of the American Dream, but it also shows the nuances of familial relationships and commercilalism. Willy is a failed salesman, who forces his aspirations and dreams onto his two sons, Biff and Happy. Biff had a promising future but soon has an epiphany and refuses to partakein the American dream, and chooses to "bum around" on farms 'out West', much to his father's annoyance. His brother Happy is the assistant to one of the assistant buyers, but sees himself as a great success. Miller concentrates on how the characters lie to themselves about who and what they are, and this is ultimatly the downfall of the central characters.
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Perhaps the highlight of this versions Dustin Hoffman's performance, animated and brilliant, which brought him the 1985 Emmy Award for Outstanding lead actor in a TV movie and a Golden Globe. His performance as the fragile, tragic Willy is unforgettable for all the good reasons. John Malkovich, who plays Willy's son Biff, also took home an Emmy. The acting is of the highest quality. I found myself emotionally involved right from the start.
It focuses on themes such as the American Dream, reality vs illusion, betrayal, familial relations and obligations, growth and age and ambitions.
DVD Features
- Includes a feature length documentary of the shooting of the film. - The picture and sound quality is pretty good. - A still gallery.
The documentary - while it may not seem like anything special - is insightful and detailed, and certainly adds a great deal to the package.
Cast
Dustin Hoffman - Willy Loman Kate Reid - Linda Loman John Malkovich - Biff Loman Stephen Lang - Harold 'Happy' Loman Charles Durning - Charley Louis Zorich - Ben Loman David S. Chandler - Bernard, Charley's son Jon Polito - Howard, Willy's boss Kathryn Rossetter - Woman from Boston Tom Signorelli - Stanley the waiter at Frank's chop house Linda Kozlowski - Miss Forsythe Karen Needle - Letta, Forsythe's friend Anne McIntosh - Jenny Michael Quinlan - Waiter
Awards
1986 Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Dustin Hoffman) 1986 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor - Miniseries or a Movie (Dustin Hoffman) 1986 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor - Miniseries or a Movie (John Malkovich)
Overall, a certain thumbs-up to this masterpiece. Whether or not you've read or seen the play, you've really gotta add this DVD to your collection. Fantastic.
Pictures of Death Of A Salesman (DVD)
Death of a Salesman (1985)
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Kate Reid Director: Christian Blackwood, Volker Schlöndorff Rating: PG
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Music / Performing Arts - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Roger Rees, David Threlfall, John Woodvine, Alun Armstrong, Bob Peck
Production Year: 2000 - Music / Performing Arts - Original Language: Italian - Classification: Exempt - Starring: Cecilia Bartoli, Il Giardino Armonico
Music / Performing Arts, Comedy - Director: Trevor Nunn, Geoffrey Posner - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, Parental Guidance - Starring: Duncan Preston, Celia Imrie, Julie Walters, Victoria Wood, Jim Broadbent
The outstanding adaptation of Arthur Miller's stage masterpiece about Willie Loman (Dustin ... more
Hoffman) the emotionally broken-down salesman coming to terms with his life and his family after being fired from his life-long job. This drama remains one of ...
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This historical 1966 television adaptation by Arthur Miller of his Pulitzer Prize-winning ... more
modern tragedy stars the incomparable Lee J. Cobb and Mildred Dunnock recreating their original Broadway roles. In a career-defining performance, Cobb portrays Wi...
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![Death Of A Salesman [1966] [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78526015.jpg)
