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Death of a Salesman

Play trailer Poster for Death of a Salesman Released Dec 20, 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

View All (5) Critics Reviews
Bob Thomas Associated Press Excellent drama for those who can take it. Jul 31, 2019 Full Review Kimberly Pierce Ticklish Business 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. Rated: 4/5 May 1, 2022 Full Review Nell Dodson Russell Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder An excellent but depressing picture. Jan 15, 2022 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 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 Rated: C+ Aug 9, 2012 Full Review Phil Hall Film Threat A shattering experience, fueled by Fredric March's brilliant interpretation of Willy Loman. Rated: 5/5 Mar 1, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (10) audience reviews
steve d Strong version of an engrossing play. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Fascinating, albeit stagy, adaptation of the Broadway play with a brilliant cast. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Death of a Salesman

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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