A Streetcar Named Desire

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A Streetcar Named Desire

PG

Released Jan 1, 1951

2h 2m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

97%

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63 Reviews

89%

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50,000+ Ratings

Based on the play by Tennessee Williams, this renowned drama follows troubled former schoolteacher Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh) as she leaves small-town Mississippi and moves in with her sister, Stella Kowalski (Kim Hunter), and her husband, Stanley (Marlon Brando), in New Orleans. Blanche's flirtatious Southern-belle presence causes problems for Stella and Stanley, who already have a volatile relationship, leading to even greater conflict in the Kowalski household.

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Critics Consensus

A feverish rendition of a heart-rending story, A Streetcar Named Desire gives Tennessee Williams' stage play explosive power on the screen thanks to Elia Kazan's searing direction and a sterling ensemble at the peak of their craft.

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Ed Potton

Times (UK)

Elia Kazan's claustrophobic close-ups do a fine job of recreating the intensity of the stage.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 10, 2020

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Some movie goers will be bored by its unlovely subject and wealth of talk, but others will admire it as an excursion into art.

Aug 7, 2019

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

Vivien Leigh gives one of those rare performances that can truly be said to evoke pity and terror.

Jan 3, 2018

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

It’s rough, depressing, and unstarched, but it's so potent because of the characters. They are overflowing with energy and life and it is impossible not to be mesmerized by them despite their dysfunction.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 19, 2022

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André Bazin

Cahiers du Cinéma

Its international success doubtless arises mostly from its relative boldness as well as its eroticism. But this work is not without theatrical qualities: authentically dramatic, it also develops a certain poetic atmosphere.

Jan 5, 2022

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Matt Neal

ABC Radio (Australia)

The emotions are dialled up to 11 by the sweltering New Orleans heat and Marlon Brando's physique, which is matched by his titanic performance.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 26, 2021

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William B

Masterpiece. The best of Marlon Brando in my opinion.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

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David K

This is one of those films that I've seen a few times. This time, it was next up on the lineup of films TCM had selected for their focus on Great Film Composers (Alex North). I have a thing about always watching their thematic showcases in the order they show them. I got stuck on this one, and finally decided to push through it again. North's score is jazzy and appropriate to the New Orleans location. He was breaking a little ground here moving away from the more lush scores of the 40's, though he wraps the film with that older style. Nonetheless, the jazzy score sets up the mood of the film very well. The performances of Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, and Karl Malden are first rate. Although it's a wordy film, this only serves to enhance focus on Leigh's Blanche and the dive into her mental illness, pushed by her brother-in-law, Stanley (Brando), who is nothing if not a beast. Their interplay is what truly elevates the film to classic status. So, if you're like me, you might be reluctant to watch it again, but as classics will do, every watching reveals new facets.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/03/24

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Joe W

Good story. A classic. However, the acting style of the period was very theatrical. Other than Marlon Brando, who is a genuine person, the performances would today be considered amateurish.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/09/24

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a a

Saw this classic for the first time in 2023. Man, had I been missing out! I love the sets, the acting, the cast, the dialogue! Definitely one of my favorites! Check it out!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/18/24

Full Review

Merick H

I love this movie. Tennessee Williams is one of my favorite playwrights and Marlon Brando is exceptional in the role of Stanley. I have mixed feelings about Vivien Leigh's performance. I can see why it is highly regarded and she has some wonderful moments, but overall I think her performance is over-the-top and it weighs on you over the course of the film. The changes that were made to the original play due to the content codes of the time also bother me, but I understand; there is nothing they could really do about that. There are things that the film alludes to that, if you had no prior knowledge of the story, it would be incredibly difficult to have a clear understanding of what happened. Ultimately, I love Tennessee Williams, and this is a beautiful film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/24

Full Review

Tim M

A pitch perfect adaptation of Tennessee Williams's seminal play, A Streetcar Named Desire gets top-tier performances from its powerhouse cast.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

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Elia Kazan

Director

Marlon Brando

Stanley Kowalski

Vivien Leigh

Blanche DuBois

Kim Hunter

Stella Kowalski

Karl Malden

Mitch

Rudy Bond

Steve

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Synopsis

Based on the play by Tennessee Williams, this renowned drama follows troubled former schoolteacher Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh) as she leaves small-town Mississippi and moves in with her sister, Stella Kowalski (Kim Hunter), and her husband, Stanley (Marlon Brando), in New Orleans. Blanche's flirtatious Southern-belle presence causes problems for Stella and Stanley, who already have a volatile relationship, leading to even greater conflict in the Kowalski household.

Director: Elia Kazan
Producer: Charles K. Feldman
Screenwriter: Oscar Saul, Tennessee Williams, Tennessee Williams
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 1, 1951, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 2, 2013
Runtime: 2h 2m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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