The Rose Tattoo

Released Dec 12, 1955

1h 57m

Drama

List

63%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

73%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

Based on a play by Tennessee Williams, this classic drama centers on Serafina (Anna Magnani), a widowed Sicilian woman living in the American South who is left devastated by the death of her husband. Grief turns her into a recluse, however she is drawn back into the world when she learns of her late husband's infidelities. Meanwhile, the arrival of a new lodger, handsome truck driver Alvaro (Burt Lancaster), offers hope of a new love in her life.

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Derek Prouse

Sight & Sound

Neither in writing or performance is [Burt Lancaster's] character anything more than a static prototype.

Mar 30, 2020

Full Review

Andrew Sarris

Film Culture

There is nothing to recommend in the film but the incomparable Magnani.

Feb 3, 2021

Full Review

Robert Hatch

The Nation

It is a rousing spectacle -- and [Anna Magnani] is the best possible antidote -- to the antiseptic, nylon-packaged blandishments that symbolize sex on | the billboards.

Dec 23, 2020

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

To conform to the Code, Daniel Mann's version scaled down the raw sexuality in Tennessee Williams' play. In the original work, it was raw passion, but in the film desire is approved only if it leads to marriage.

Rated: B-

Oct 20, 2006

Full Review

Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

Rated: 5/5

Nov 19, 2004

Full Review

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.

Goatdog's Movies

Anna Magnani shines ... but the stagebound feel of the film, and especially some wretched overacting by Burt Lancaster, almost sink it.

Rated: 2.5/5

Oct 31, 2004

Full Review

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Audience Member

Like an Italian soap opera. I did like the message at the end, but boy was it painful to get there. I get that grief can affect everyone differently but my god. Especially when your husband wasn't a good man to begin with (smuggles drug/cheats on you), baron or no baron. This woman was starting to act crazy and unlikable by the end of the film, you can't take the dramatics anymore. In any case, it was very well-acted, esp by the Italian actress. I just thought the tone was off, like a lot of serious 50s film. You can't just rap up that drama in a 2 min happy sequence in the end. I will say the heroine was one of the more interesting female characters I've ever watched. A very strong female lead. Its kinda a mixed bag and not what I was expecting.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Far from the best version of Tennessee Williams, who really shines here in Anna Magnani in her role.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

william d

Not much here really. It;s not a bad movie, it's just that there are better films to invest two hours in.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

steve d

The script adaptation isn't great but the acting is strong.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Love this movie and the performances. Ana Magniani was made for this role. Burt Lancaster was perfect as well. As I write this I'm sittimg in a Broadway theater watching the Broadway production of the Rose Tattoo with Marisa Tomei and it makes me want to run to see the movie once again. Marisa Tomei is no Ana Magniani. Watch the movie, Enjoy!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great movie wonderful

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/01/19

Full Review

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Daniel Mann

Director

Anna Magnani

Serafina Delle Rose

Burt Lancaster

Alvaro Mangiacavallo

Marisa Pavan

Rosa Delle Rose

Ben Cooper

Jack Hunter

Virginia Grey

Estelle Hohengarten

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Synopsis

Based on a play by Tennessee Williams, this classic drama centers on Serafina (Anna Magnani), a widowed Sicilian woman living in the American South who is left devastated by the death of her husband. Grief turns her into a recluse, however she is drawn back into the world when she learns of her late husband's infidelities. Meanwhile, the arrival of a new lodger, handsome truck driver Alvaro (Burt Lancaster), offers hope of a new love in her life.

Director: Daniel Mann
Screenwriter: Tennessee Williams, Hal Kanter, Tennessee Williams
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 12, 1955, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Runtime: 1h 57m
Sound Mix: Mono

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