Amazon.com essential video: This black-and-white film adaptation of Tennessee Williams's Southern gothic play is perhaps more famous for the rumored off-screen shenanigans of its stars than for its over-the-top repressed sexuality (only Williams could pull off that paradox, and pull it off he does). Supposedly, stars Katharine Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor battled for screen time; Hepburn warred very publicly with director Joseph Mankiewicz; and a postaccident Montgomery Clift relied heavily on painkillers and support from friend Taylor during the grueling shoot. Even this, however, cannot top the events of the film itself, revolving around the unseen playboy Sebastian and his mysterious death, which has something to do with young boys, a decadent European vacation, and Taylor in a provocative wet, white bathing suit. To give away the plot would spoil the fun, but suffice it to say that what Taylor saw was so horrible it drove her nuts, and Sebastian's mother (Hepburn) wants her to have a lobotomy in order to keep it from coming out; Clift is brought in to do the procedure. It's all a hoot and a holler, but as played by the two leading ladies (both of whom nabbed Oscar nominations), it's also compelling, chilling, and utterly gothic. Taylor gives a fierce performance, as the climaxing monologue that reveals Sebastian's "secret" rests entirely on her shoulders, and Hepburn plays brilliantly against type as Sebastian's manipulating, overbearing mother. Only Clift, saddled with a dreary character in charge of plot exposition, fails to deliver. Adapted by Gore Vidal. --Mark Englehart
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - wonderful movie, excellent condition,
Love the movie! It was here quickly and it had no problems, skips or any defects.
Rating: - Classic Movie Ahead Of It's Time!
I finally got the chance to see this movie in it's entirety on Turner Movie Classics a few weeks ago and enjoyed it so much, I purchased the DVD here at Amazon! A very deep, somewhat dark movie (which ... Read More
Rating: - Not bad! But not astoundingly wonderful either.
I was recommended this film not long ago and finally watched it tonight. I think the person, who recommended it to me, gave away too much of the story which more than likely deflated the last 20 minutes ... Read More
Rating: - eh...
Interesting movie, sad, a little depressing. I had to buy this for a film class. Didn't love it for its entertainment value. It was thought-provoking.
Rating: - JOSEPH L. MANKIEWICZ, OPUS 16
***** 1959. Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, this adaptation from Tennessee Williams' Suddenly Last Summer. earned three nominations for the Academy Awards and Elizabeth Taylor a Golden Globe. Outstanding ... Read More
- wonderful movie, excellent condition, 
- Not bad! But not astoundingly wonderful either.