The Rose Tattoo

1955

The Rose Tattoo

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

The Rose Tattoo Photos

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Movie Info

Based on Tennessee Williams' play, The Rose Tattoo is the story of a Southern widow (Anna Magnani) who finally stops pining for her dead husband when she falls in love with a trucker (Burt Lancaster). Williams wrote his play and this adapted screenplay with Magnani in mind, and she earned an Academy Award for her performance.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Classics, Drama, Romance
Directed By:

Daniel Mann
Written By:

Tennessee Williams, Hal Kanter
In Theaters:

Dec 12, 1955 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Sep 21, 2004
Runtime:

117 minutes
Studio:

Paramount Pictures

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Cast

Anna Magnani
as Serafina Delle Rose

Burt Lancaster
as Alvaro Mangiacavallo

Marisa Pavan
as Rosa Delle Rose

Ben Cooper
as Jack Hunter

Virginia Grey
as Estelle Hohengarten

Jo Van Fleet
as Bessie

Sandro Giglio
as Father De Leo

Mimi Aguglia
as Assunta

Florence Sundstrom
as Flora

Dorrit Kelton
as Schoolteacher

Rossana San Marco
as Peppina

Augusta Merighi
as Guiseppina

Rosa Rey
as Mariella

Georgia Simmons
as The Strega

Zolya Talma
as Miss Mangiacavallo

George Humbert
as Pop Mangiacavallo

Margherita Pasquero
as Grandma Mangiacavallo

May Lee
as Mamma Shigura

Lewis Charles
as Taxi Driver

Jean Hart
as Violetta

Virgil Osborne
as Taxi Driver

Larry Chance
as Rosario Delle Rose

Jeanne Hart
as Violetta

Roger Gunderson
as Doctor

Roland Vildo
as Salvatore

Fred Barney Taylor
as Cashier

Albert Atkins
as Mario

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Critic Reviews for The Rose Tattoo

All Critics (5) | DVD (1)

To conform to the Code, Daniel Mann's version scaled down the raw sexuality in Tennessee Williams' play. In the original work, it was raw passion, but in the film desire is approved only if it leads to marriage.

Oct 20, 2006 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Anna Magnani shines ... but the stagebound feel of the film, and especially some wretched overacting by Burt Lancaster, almost sink it.

Oct 31, 2004 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Goatdog's Movies

View All Critic Reviews (5)

Audience Reviews for The Rose Tattoo

Mar 03, 2014

Anna Magnani is fabulous in whatever she appears in. With Lancaster it is touch and go. Call this one a middling effort. the film is likely held back by society norms as to what should and should not appear in a film. Overdue perhaps for a reboot.

John B Super Reviewer
May 29, 2010

Tennessee Williams wrote this play for Magnani, so it's no surprise that she shines in this role. Rather than trademark decadence, this South focuses on the Sicilian immigrant experience. The script reads authentically and Magnani's performance lends further credibility to Sicilian views of family, gender roles and honor. Lancaster hasn't been in a goofier or over-acted role, yet his rendering is appropriately clownesque. For once, Williams brings happiness out of the darkness.

Stefanie C Super Reviewer
Jul 10, 2009

Good drama, almost easy going coming from Williams. Magnani gives it her all.

jay n Super Reviewer
Feb 04, 2009

Burt Lancaster may get top billing but the real star of this film is the incomparable Anna Magnani. What a performance!

Randy T Super Reviewer