PREVIEW: A Streetcar Named Desire (12)

Winner of 4 Oscars including Best Leading Actress, released in 1951 A Streetcar Named Desire is one of the true classics of Cinema.

Directed by Turkish filmmaker Elia Kazan (On The Waterfront and East of Eden), the film is based on the popular Broadway show from 1947 of the same name written by the great Tennessee Williams.

A Streetcar Named Desire showcases two of cinemas finest natural actors Vivien Leigh (Gone With the Wind and Ship of a Fool) and Marlon Brando (On the Waterfront, The Godfather and Apocalypse Now).
The two leads are supported by the equally impressive supports coming from Kim Hunter (Planet of the Apes Trilogy) and Karl Malden (On The Waterfront).
A Streetcar Named Desire brings together a showcase of the stars raw, exciting talents that announced them to the world.

A Streetcar Named Desire tells the story of disturbed and confused Blanche DuBois (Leigh) who turns up in New Orleans, jumping on a streetcar route named Desire to the apartment of her sister Stella (Hunter).

Blanche is welcomed in by her sister however, her news of the loss of the family's southern plantation Belle Reve in Mississippi Blanche comes under an ambush of questions and pressure, something that's not helped by the arrival of the dominant Stanley (Brando), Stella's partner.

A friend of Stella and Stanley Mitch arrives on the scene as soon a relationship transpires between him and Blanche protecting her from the ever intimidating Stanley. 
The real truth about the demise of the family ranch soon become apparent as Blanche's fragile mind begins to play between what is real and fantasy.

The film concludes in a way that shocked and surprised the audience of the time and underpins along with the rest of the films content why it's still a film that cinema goers must see.

*Epic performances in a movie that seethes with atmosphere*

Kim Newman

*Simply a masterful adap of Tennessee Williams' sultry, searing play and an affirmation of Marlon Brando's acting genius*

Total Film

For those of you that haven't seen it the trailer is below;

The reviews and admiration for this timeless classic speak for itself, so for your chance to see A Streetcar Named Desire on the big screen in all its glory head down to Gloucester Guildhall on Friday 1st March at 2pm and Saturday 2nd March at 3pm.