DCSIMG
 
 

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) Reviews

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Play Trailer and Clips
Member Rating:  
In the classic play by Tennessee Williams, brought to the screen by Elia Kazan, faded Southern belle Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh) comes to visit her pregnant sister, Stella (Kim Hunter), in a seedy section of New Orleans. Stella's boorish husband, Stanley Kowalski (Marlon Brando), not only regards Blanche's aristocratic affectations as a royal pain but also thinks she's holding out on inheritance money that rightfully belongs to Stella. On the fringes of sanity, Blanche is trying to forget her checkered past and start life anew. Attracted to Stanley's friend Mitch (Karl Malden), she glosses over the less savory incidents in her past, but she soon discovers that she cannot outrun that past, and the stage is set for her final, brutal confrontation with her brother-in-law. Brando, Hunter, and Malden had all starred in the original Broadway version of Streetcar, although the original Blanche had been Jessica Tandy. Brando lost out to Humphrey Bogart for the 1951 Best Actor Oscar, but Leigh, Hunter, and Malden all won Oscars. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, (more)
Director(s):
Elia Kazan
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 
 
 

Average Ratings

(29 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Denzil A.

Brando is unforgettable in this movie. You hate him and are fascinated with him at the same time. Excellent adaptation of Williams' play. Interesting to note that Leigh's character almost mimics her decline in her own life.

Yes   |   No


Gabrielle D.

I think this movie did Tennessee Williams great justice. If you read the play, you will probably like the movie. It was well directed, and assumes that the viewer is intelligent. Despite the censors, the movie still portrayed what it needed to portray. This film is so ambitious as it grazed on so many topics that were considered taboo at the time -- rape, domestic violence, homosexuality, relationship between a mature woman and a young man. I have to say, it was quite fun to read between the lines, and let my brain do the work. Great acting from all the stars. Must see in one's lifetime, in my opinion.

Yes   |   No


Matthew N.

What an amazing classic. Timeless to the max!!! Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh, Karl Malden, Kim Hunter, what a cast. This is a movie that I recommend to everybody. You'll have zero regrets. This movie is just so perfect.

Yes   |   No


Dean W.

the movie is virtually flawless.

Yes   |   No


Iva C.

Great story line... really enjoyed watching this old film. Acting was terrific, and the story line really wasn't that dated!

Yes   |   No


Jeffrey S.

Excellent movie for those who do not know -- or have forgotten -- why Marlon Brando is one of the best actor's of all time. Vivian Leigh and Kim Hunter are each wonderful in their roles, as is Karl Malden. Highly recommend.

Yes   |   No


Jennifer K.

A street Car Named Desire is a classic for a reason...It is fantastic. From the very beginning you are drawn into the steamy atmosphere of the city as Blanch steps off the street car named Desire. She is obviously out of her element from the moment she arrives. She is a “Southern Lady” or so she wants you to believe. She is going to live with her pregnant sister, Stella, who is married to a rough and crude man by the name of Stanley. Blanch has lost her husband and the family plantation “Belle Reve”. The emotions heat up almost immediately upon her arrival and don’t stop until the end. Stanley takes an immediate dislike to Blanch and Stella becomes trapped in the middle As the story thickens, it is obvious that Blanch is unstable. She captures your attention as you watch as does Stanley. It is a story of relationships within families as well as the emotional and mental demise of this Southern Belle named Blanche.

Yes   |   No


Alyssa B.

One of my favorite parts of this movie was that it is an older movie. In today's current movie market, we tend to see overdone stunts and fake settings, but with this movie it brings you back to before all that. I also love the title. With a first glance, you would think it is just a metaphor for something in the film, but you find out different fast. In the first scene you see Blanche boarding the streetcar that takes her to her sister. Vivian Leigh captures Blanche's personality in the best way possible. While some peoples first assumption about an older film would be that it must be boring, but the plot of this movie really makes it exciting. I would recommend this movie to anyone who becomes captivated by plots that exist in reality. The struggle between Blanche and Stanley over inheritance funds can clearly be compared to the fights many people have when a loved one passes on.

Yes   |   No


Donald R.

A great movie, but it is too bad that Blockbuster on-line doesn't carry the wide screen version. It is also too bad that Warner Bothers didn't restore the movie better. Never-the-less, this is a classic and well worth watching. Great performances by Vivien Leigh and Brando.

Yes   |   No


Zane J.

This is probably my fault, I should have seen this movie earlier. I'll be honest though, i didn't find it that interesting and really don't think Brando's acting mounts up well against his other works. The story didn't engage me at all but I did feel that the direction and set design brought the city of New Orleans alive. It's a classic, so rent it and form your own opinion, but i wasn't very impressed.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription
 
Buy New  from $8.99
 

IN-STORE

 

ON DEMAND

Blockbuster Instant Video

Watch thousands of movies instantly on your TV, tablet, mobile phone or computer with no monthly subscription. You pay only for what you watch.
 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
    YOUR REVIEW
    WRITE A REVIEW
     
    1000 
     
    Member Reviews
    Read all (29)
     
    Denzil A.

    Brando is unforgettable in this movie. You hate him and are fascinated with him at the same time. Excellent adaptation of Williams' play. Interesting to note that Leigh's character almost mimics her decline in her own life.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Gabrielle D.

    I think this movie did Tennessee Williams great justice. If you read the play, you will probably like the movie. It was well directed, and assumes that the viewer is intelligent. Despite the censors, the movie still portrayed what it needed to portray. This film is so ambitious as it grazed on so many topics that were considered taboo at the time -- rape, domestic violence, homosexuality, relationship between a mature woman and a young man. I have to say, it was quite fun to read between the lines, and let my brain do the work. Great acting from all the stars. Must see in one's lifetime, in my opinion.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Matthew N.

    What an amazing classic. Timeless to the max!!! Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh, Karl Malden, Kim Hunter, what a cast. This is a movie that I recommend to everybody. You'll have zero regrets. This movie is just so perfect.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 29 Reviews
       

      Rating Systems

       

      Blockbuster

      Find Us Online: BLOCKBUSTER Blog - BLOCKBUSTER Widgets - BLOCKBUSTER RSS FEED - BLOCKBUSTER Facebook Page - BLOCKBUSTER Twitter Page - BLOCKBUSTER Wiki

      Email Exclusives

      BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C.
      © 2013 Blockbuster L.L.C. All rights reserved.

      Portions of Content Provided by Rovi Corporation. © 2013 Rovi Corporation.