As the weeks continue to fly by, I am finding myself more and more DESPERATE for theatre! Yes, watching Zoom performances is fine, and so are the streaming options from places like the National Theatre, but over the past few weeks I’ve turned my attention to the greatest BIG SCREEN treatments of some of my favorite plays. Here are a few recommendations of ways you can watch great drama, adapted for film!
Glengarry Glen Ross: this 1992 film was adapted by playwright David Mamet from his 1984 Pulitzer Prize winning play. It is the story of two days in the lives of four real estate salesman and how desperate they become when the corporate office sends in a new trainer to give them some motivation. The film features stunning performances by Jack Lemmon and Al Pacino, and a star turn by Alec Baldwin, as well. It has some very, very, very strong language, so not a great choice for “family film night,” but the story and performances are gripping. A great watch!
Available on Amazon Prime Video.
A Streetcar Named Desire: Based on the play by Tennessee Williams, this renowned drama follows troubled former schoolteacher Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh) as she leaves small-town Mississippi and moves in with her sister, Stella Kowalski (Kim Hunter), and her husband, Stanley (Marlon Brando), in New Orleans. I mean, who DOESN’T need to see Brando’s performance as Stanley? It is truly iconic and was a performance that shattered expectations for film treatments of great plays.
Available on Amazon Prime.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? No doubt about it, this is my favorite film adaptation of a play ever. I cannot say enough about Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in this movie: they bring an electricity, and passion, that is absolutely thrilling and very disturbing. This is a hard play, and an even harder film to watch, but it is an all-time classic of American cinema, and based on one of the best plays ever written. A must see, for sure.
You can see the movie on YouTube and also on Amazon Prime.
Amadeus: this 1984 film is based on Peter Shaffer’s hugely successful stage play from 1979. A wonderful, celebratory, and lush period piece filled with gorgeous locations, fabulous costumes, and wonderful performances, Amadeus isn’t just great cinema, it is also educational! F. Murray Abraham’s performance as Salieri is delightfully sinister!
The Director’s Cut is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Arsenic and Old Lace: I mean, come on - Cary Grant is in this one, and it is utterly charming, hilarious, and so, so much fun! One of the greatest comedic plays in American History, AAOL’s film version was directed by Frank Capra and includes star turns from Peter Lorre, Josephine Hull, and Jean Adair. I could literally watch this movie on repeat it is such a great treatment of a classic play.
Available on Amazon Prime Video!
