The Rose Tattoo
First screened in September 1999 / Most recently screened in March 2016
Director: Daniel Mann. Cast: Anna Magnani, Burt Lancaster, Marisa Pavan, Ben Cooper, Virginia Grey, Sandro Giglio, Jo Van Fleet, Mimi Aguglia, Florence Sundstrom, Georgia Simmons, Jean Hart, Augusta Merighi, Rossana San Marco, Rosa Rey, Fred Taylor, Larry Chance. Screenplay: Tennessee Williams (based on his play).

 Twitter Capsule: Silvery images often beautiful, but frames seldom say much. Stagy, awkward—a surprisingly tough sit. Odd energies.

VOR: ③  Hard to forgive every awkward aspect, but you see what a hard piece this is to put over. Magnani's premier English-language vehicle, and a showcase for James Wong Howe, however uneven.


Photo © 1955 Paramount Pictures

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: C

(in September 1999: B; in November 2007: B–)

Academy Award Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture
★Best Actress: Anna Magnani
Best Supporting Actress: Marisa Pavan
★Best Cinematography (Black & White): James Wong Howe
★Best Art Direction (Black & White): Hal Pereira & Tambi Larsen; Sam Comer & Arthur Krams
Best Costume Design (Black & White): Edith Head
Best Film Editing: Warren Low
Best Original Score: Alex North

Golden Globe Nominations and Winners:
★Best Actress (Drama): Anna Magnani
★Best Supporting Actress: Marisa Pavan

Other Awards:
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Actress (Magnani)
National Board of Review: Best Actress (Magnani)
British Academy Awards (BAFTAs): Best Foreign Actress (Magnani)
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