Customer Reviews

Streetcar Named Desire [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I saw this a few years ago at the urging of a friend who believed Ann-Margret's performance to be the ultimate Blanche. I didn't expect much, certainly nothing beyond credible where Ann-Margret was concerned. However, I not only believe this is the best of the Blanches (we should have gotten from Jessica Lange at Least what we expected - a disappointment) - I believe this is the best performance of any role by an actress on film or video. Depth and instinct of a great great actress. Heartbreaking and nuanced. No wonder Tennessee hand picked her for the role. It's hers. Why isn't this more well-known? Available?

Ann-Margret was a magnificent Blanche, and the production itself was astounding. It captures the sadness, melancholy, sensuality of its characters, New Orleans, and Mr. Williams' text.

I loved this production the first time I saw it on tv and time hasn't changed it. Ann Margaret is the definitive Blance Du Bois and Treat Williams gives a tour d force performance as Stanley Kowalski. Usually remakes tend to be weak, but there is not one weak link in this production. Purists will gripe because it isn't Brando or Leigh, but to me the performances were on par with the original. Younger viewers will probably enjoy it more than the original. My regret is that it is not available on dvd.

I am heartsick that this is not available in a USA format. This is one remake that I think holds it's own against the original movie with Marlon Brando and Vivian Leigh. Ann Margaret gives the performance of her career and brings a new dimension to the fragile Blanche du Bois. Treat Williams also gives a very strong performance as the brutish Stanley Kowalski. For diehard Brando fans, they will consider this movie an abomination of Tennessee Williams' play, but if you view it with an open mind, the performances by all are outstanding. I really loved it.

Excellent version of the Williams classic. Treat Williams is amazing in the final scene between Stanley and Blanche. HOT.

Even though my mother is an ardent 'Brando Fan',and does have in her collection,the B/W version, I have always relished the color version of the same film. I am a 'new-generation girl' and B/W classics are not my cup of tea. May-be because it is a 1984 production and much closer to my birth date. The performances of the various stars, specially Ann Margret, are superb. Even in the amazon review, it is listed as a 'Randy Quaid' film. I suggest you change it into,'An Ann Margret film'. No offence meant
guys. I have no hesitation in giving it a five star rating.

Many would argue with me that this version of Tennessee William's play "A Streetcar Named Desire" is the best of the three filmed versions, but I believe it. I have watched, multiple times, the 1951 feature-filmed version starring Marlon Brando and the exceptional 1995 movie with Jessica Lange and Alec Baldwin, and although they are two quality films this one is my favorite. The script of course is first rate: one of the best works by William's so the movie has a wonderful starting point. What steals it for me are the performances, especially Ann-Margret as Blance and Treat Williams as Stanley. Margret gives her Blanche a vulnerablity that was lacked in Vivien Leigh's portrayal and Treat is oustanding as the macho, foul-mouthed, but most of all sexy Stanley. The chemistry between the characters and the actors that play them is unremarkable. The sexual tension is evident in their first scene together and when they both finally "make love", albeit, in a violent nature, the viewer is torn over whether believing Blanche wanted Stanley or she was violated.

The particular rape scene was one of the hardest scenes Ann-Margret ever filmed in any movie as she actually suffered brusies on her arms. She was emotionally exhausted when the movie ended its shoot.

The supporting cast is remarkable and include Beverly D'Angelo as Stella and Randy Quaid as Mitch.

Originally airing on ABC the night of March 4, 1984 the film was a ratings success coming in at #8 for the week and the movie would go on to win four Emmys. Ann-Margret would garner a Golden Globe Award for her poignant and touching portrayal.

Unlike the other two filmed versions Ann-Margret's "A Streetcar Named Desire" has never seen a release on DVD or Blue Ray, but did come out on VHS in the '90's.

Ann Margaret give the most wonderful Blanche to grace the screen. Full of exquisite wonder, confusion, and defiance, Margaret's Blanche makes your heart break when she speaks of the "boy, he was just a boy..." one of William's more powerful monologues. Treat Williams is wonderful as Stanley as is the rest of the cast. Far superior to the Jessica Lange version of Streetcar. it is beyond me why this DVD has not been released in the U.S.!

An aging and high strung Southern belle (Ann-Margret), near the end of her nerves, comes to stay in New Orleans with her pregnant sister (Beverly D'Angelo) and her brutish husband (Treat Williams). She and her brother in law immediately clash as she slowly unravels. While Shakespeare's Hamlet remains the one role every actor must conquer at some point in order to challenge himself as an actor and prove his mettle, Tennessee Williams' Blanche DuBois is the female equivalent. Perhaps, the greatest role ever written for a woman. This version, directed by John Erman (TWO MRS. GRENVILLES), may not do the Williams play justice (the 1951 Elia Kazan film, despite the censor's restrictions of the era, remains the definitive film version) but Ann-Margret's Blanche is a glorious achievement. She seems to have a tougher hide than Vivien Leigh's Blanche but it makes her final breakdown all the more horrifying. Randy Quaid is also very good as Mitch but Treat Williams' Stanley is inadequate and D'Angelo as Stella is passable. Unlike the 1951 film, Williams' play is untouched and Oscar Saul's adaptation is faithful to the play. The trite Marvin Hamlisch score seems to have no affinity for the material.

The Magna Pacific DVD from Australia (the 1984 film is not availble in the U.S.) is an adequate transfer in its original 1.33 aspect ratio.

Don't waste your time on this film, it dosen't deserve it. Taking all the dramatic brilliance of Tennessee Williams writing, and reducing it to typical Made-For-TV drama. Please, if you can find ANYTHING else to do with your time (nails under your finger nails, whatever)do that instead.