Product Details

• Actors: Anne Bancroft, Matthew Broderick, Harvey Fierstein, Brian Kerwin, Karen Young
• Directors: Paul Bogart
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Language: English, Hebrew
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: New Line Home Video
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 1998
• Run Time: 120 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304077947
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,057 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  Video > Comedy > Gay & Lesbian

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Harvey Fierstein had a smash hit on Broadway with the stage version of this story about a drag queen, but whatever the magic there was doesn't show up in this film adaptation. (Fierstein allegedly couldn't line up an A-list or even B-list director in 1988 to tackle the gay story line, so he agreed to work with Paul Bogart, a ubiquitous television director but an undistinguished feature filmmaker.) Fierstein's performance is fine, but likely a shadow of his live work, while Anne Bancroft is very strong in the role of his character's mother. Matthew Broderick went against the tide of fear shared by most Hollywood actors at the time about playing gay characters. The times have certainly changed since then. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to DVD Arnold. I've been waiting for you., May 13, 2004

By	I. Henzel "Style Maven" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Torch Song Trilogy (DVD)

I was delighted to find that at long last, "Torch Song Trilogy" was finally on DVD. If you are not familiar with this film, it is a must see. A delightful, funny, gentle and moving film. For those not familiar, to put it in the context of time, it was one of the first movies with a positive image of gay characters.

I go way back with Torch Song. In the 1970's I saw, "International Stud" in the Village (I believe it was a theatre on Bleecker St.) I also remember seeing it as an entire triology off off Broadway when it was presented by the Glines (I seem to remember that the ticket cost $5 with a coupon, or was it 2-for $10 with coupon?)

Harvey Fierstien is to be applauded. We take for granted the more positive image we see of gays today (although apparently, we have progressed from the film images of where we kill ourselves, to the television images of where we are only acceptable if we are making straight people happy and so that they can marry each other, while we ourselves are not allowed to get married).

Torch Song represents hope, love, and pride.

A big plus on the DVD is the not to be missed commentary by Harvey.

Thank you Harvey for writing this. Thank you for being a pioneer. Gez ... where is this review going? Somewhere in the background a drag queen is beginning to sing the "Battle Hymn of the Republic!"

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding movie!, March 1, 2000

By	The Godfather "The Godfather" (Urbana, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This is an classic. It will make you laugh, cry, get angry, and, if you have any compassion whatsoever, it will touch your heart. I am straight. I say that only in the hope that other straight men will give this movie a chance. Certainly the homophobes of the world would not consider watching this excellent film and that's their loss. The cast does a wonderful job. Harvey Fierstein is fantastic. His character is rich and deep and that's due in no small part to the fact that Harvey is rich and deep. Anne Bancroft does a great job as the mother trying to understand and cope. Matthew Broderick and Brian Kerwin play their roles with a great subtlety. It would have been easy to camp it up as stereotypical gays but they gave their characters more class and style. Certainly influenced by Harvey.

Take an evening. Sit quietly. Eliminate distractions. Focus on the film. And enjoy. It would surprise me if you didn't agree that this is a superb movie.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent makeover of the play into a movie!, August 2, 1999

By	Kerwin L. Schaefer (New Bern, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This is an offbeat story of a gay female impersonator in his seach for love and a committed relationship. Primarily psychological drama with excellent insights and incisive dialog. Anne Bancroft is great as the Jewish mother, and Harvey Fierstein, who wrote the original play, brings so much angst and personality to his portrayal of the main character that I just couldn't help wishing I knew someone like that in real life. Highly recommended if you want to know more about a lifestyle most people have never seen.