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Death of a Salesman

Play trailer Poster for Death of a Salesman 1951 1h 55m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Willy Loman (Fredric March) is an aging salesman who has recently been fired from his job. Dealing with feelings of failure, Willy begins to relive events from the past that involve his older son, Biff (Kevin McCarthy), and his wife, Linda (Mildred Dunnock). Willy tries to learn from past mistakes and works to make amends with his family, but his biggest struggle is to make peace with himself over a failed dream of financial success. Without a job, Willy feels he has no purpose.

Critics Reviews

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Bob Thomas Associated Press 07/31/2019
Excellent drama for those who can take it. Go to Full Review
Kimberly Pierce Ticklish Business 05/01/2022
4/5
While the movie hasnt been remembered with the same fondness as some of its contemporaries, Death of a Salesman is a fascinating cultural snapshot... At the same time, the acting in this picture is something to behold. Go to Full Review
Nell Dodson Russell Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder 01/15/2022
An excellent but depressing picture. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 08/09/2012
C+
Despite five Oscar nominations, this film version of Miller's best-known play is too static and stagy, and Fredric March is miscast as Willy Loman Go to Full Review
Phil Hall Film Threat 03/01/2005
5/5
A shattering experience, fueled by Fredric March's brilliant interpretation of Willy Loman. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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steve d 07/21/2020 Strong version of an engrossing play. See more 11/06/2019 The first film of this play. This was--unfortunately-- never transferred to VHS or DVD. You can find it on Youtube. Excellent overall and Fredric March is amazing as Willy Loman. btw, March was offered the role in the original Broadway production--however, he was already acting in a play and had to turn it down--one of his great regrets. He jumped at the chance to play Willy in the film version--and in some ways is the definitive Willy. See more 03/18/2018 An adaptation of Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning play about the casualties of a shattered American Dream in a destitute family driven to madness. See more 07/25/2013 A disappointing interpretation of a fabulous play. The film makers never successfully translate this into a different medium and it takes away from the gravity. March, the star of every single 30s film (or so it seems) is poor in his depiction of Loman. See more 10/21/2011 A lot about this interpretation feels too overt, and McCarthy's performance doesn't seem natural at some key moments (he seems to be waiting for his turn to say his line). It's still solid material and hard to mess up too badly, though. See more 07/17/2011 Fascinating, albeit stagy, adaptation of the Broadway play with a brilliant cast. See more Read all reviews
Death of a Salesman

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Movie Info

Synopsis Willy Loman (Fredric March) is an aging salesman who has recently been fired from his job. Dealing with feelings of failure, Willy begins to relive events from the past that involve his older son, Biff (Kevin McCarthy), and his wife, Linda (Mildred Dunnock). Willy tries to learn from past mistakes and works to make amends with his family, but his biggest struggle is to make peace with himself over a failed dream of financial success. Without a job, Willy feels he has no purpose.
Director
László Benedek
Producer
Stanley Kramer
Screenwriter
Stanley Roberts
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Miramax
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 20, 1951, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 14, 2018
Runtime
1h 55m