Sweet Bird of Youth

1962, Drama, 2h 0m

19 Reviews 1,000+ Ratings

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Movie Info

After unsuccessfully trying his luck in Hollywood, charming gigolo Chance Wayne (Paul Newman) wanders back to his hometown, accompanied by Alexandra Del Lago (Geraldine Page), a movie star on the wane. Chance quickly falls back into his old rut -- he's still smitten with his former sweetheart, Heavenly Finley (Shirley Knight), but her thuggish brother (Rip Torn) and her crooked politician father (Ed Begley) both hate him. When Alexandra leaves town, Chance is left with little more than trouble.
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Richard Brooks
  • Producer:
    Pandro S. Berman
  • Writer:
    Tennessee Williams, Richard Brooks
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
  • Production Co:
    Roxbury Productions
  • Sound Mix:
    Mono

Cast & Crew

Paul Newman
Chance Wayne
Geraldine Page
Alexandra Del Lago (Princess Cosmonopolous)
Ed Begley
Tom 'Boss' Finley
Rip Torn
Thomas 'Tom' J. Finley, Jr.
Shirley Knight
Heavenly Finley
Mildred Dunnock
Aunt Nonnie
Madeleine Sherwood
Miss Lucy
Philip Abbott
Dr. George Scudder
Corey Allen
Scotty
Richard Brooks
Director
Tennessee Williams
Writer
Richard Brooks
Writer
Pandro S. Berman
Producer
Kathryn Hereford
Associate Producer
John Rox
Original Music
Harold Gelman
Original Music
Milton R. Krasner
Cinematographer
Henry Berman
Film Editor
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Critic Reviews for Sweet Bird of Youth

All Critics (19) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (5)

View All Critic Reviews (19)

Audience Reviews for Sweet Bird of Youth

  • Apr 24, 2014
    Newman does Tennessee Williams very well and he does tremendously well in Sweet Bird of Youth. He is the ultimate hustler who meets obstacles that he can't overcome. Brilliant.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Apr 28, 2011
    Sweet Bird of Youth is structured like a resurrection tale. Chance Wayne is thrown into all types of abasement, dragged this way and that, beaten to a bloody pulpy (figuratively, of course), and finally rises from the ashes, a new man.
    Jennifer X Super Reviewer
  • Jun 04, 2010
    Very underrated and a great story about vanity and the drawbacks of Hollywood. Paul Newman delivers his usual knockout performance, creating a very lovable and fun character that is also very realistic and heart felt. There's also a lot of other great performances thrown in, including Rip Torn as a deranged redneck out for blood. The story is so well put together by the greatest playwright to ever live, Tennessee Williams. I think the love story is so well done and put together in such a tragic way that the end result nearly drains you. The movie itself is really well put together and has some really beautiful sets and shots.
    Conner R Super Reviewer
  • Feb 14, 2010
    If you've been reading some of my reviews, you all know how much I like Paul Newman, but he failed to appease me this time. The whole story just wasn't that interesting. As a matter of fact, I don't think I have anything constructive to say about the movie. So I'll leave it at that. <div style="width:254px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/photos/sweet-bird-of-youth-1962-paul-newman-in-sweet-bird-of-youth-11372629"><img src="http://content7.flixster.com/photo/11/37/26/11372629_gal.jpg" border="0"/></a><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com">
    Saskia D Super Reviewer
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