Bibliographic Information: Miller, A. (1949). Death of a Salesman. (DVD). Castle Hill Productions. 1985 Television Adaptation. Directed by Volker Schlondorff. ISBN: 1438114062
Plot Summary: Arthur Miller's 1949 Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning drama is brought to the screen with Academy Award winner, Dustin Hoffman, as Willy Loman. The story centers on Willy, a 63 year old salesman who tragically believes he is still charismatic and capable of greatness. Willy loses touch with reality and begins to reminisce in the past and is not realistic about the present. He flashes back to times when his sons, Biff and Happy, were younger and to his former mistress.
Critical Evaluation: This version of Death of a Salesman is excellent. Dustin Hoffman does a convincing job playing Willy in his dissent into self-destruction. Kate Reid, as Willy's wife, also does an effective job in portraying the doting wife and enabler. The sets in this film version of the play are very simple and stark, allowing the viewer to fully concentrate on the characterizations.
Annotation: Sixty-three-year-old Willy Loman returns home from another failed sales trip. Tragically, Willy descends into a downfall of misconceptions about himself.
About the Author: Arthur Miller was a famous American playwright and essayist. His parents were Polish-Jewish immigrants. Miller attended the University of Michigan and received a BA in English. In 1940 he married his college sweetheart who was the Catholic daughter of an insurance salesman. They had two children together. Miller wrote numerous stage and radio plays, screenplays, nonfiction and fiction works. Award winning plays such as All My Sons, Death of a Salesman and The Crucible are a few of the best known.
Miller's personal life was colorful. He left his first wife and in 1956 married Marilyn Monroe. They had met in 1951, had a brief affair but remained in contact. Because of his affiliation with the Group Theatre, Miller was called to testify before the House of Un-American Activities Committee. He researched the witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts, likening them to the activities of the Un-American Activities Committee. After Miller and Monroe divorced in1961 Monroe died of an apparent drug overdose. In 1962 Miller married photographer Inge Morath and they had two children. Daniel, their son, was born with Down Syndrome and was institutionalized.
Plot Summary: Arthur Miller's 1949 Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning drama is brought to the screen with Academy Award winner, Dustin Hoffman, as Willy Loman. The story centers on Willy, a 63 year old salesman who tragically believes he is still charismatic and capable of greatness. Willy loses touch with reality and begins to reminisce in the past and is not realistic about the present. He flashes back to times when his sons, Biff and Happy, were younger and to his former mistress.
Critical Evaluation: This version of Death of a Salesman is excellent. Dustin Hoffman does a convincing job playing Willy in his dissent into self-destruction. Kate Reid, as Willy's wife, also does an effective job in portraying the doting wife and enabler. The sets in this film version of the play are very simple and stark, allowing the viewer to fully concentrate on the characterizations.
Annotation: Sixty-three-year-old Willy Loman returns home from another failed sales trip. Tragically, Willy descends into a downfall of misconceptions about himself.
About the Author: Arthur Miller was a famous American playwright and essayist. His parents were Polish-Jewish immigrants. Miller attended the University of Michigan and received a BA in English. In 1940 he married his college sweetheart who was the Catholic daughter of an insurance salesman. They had two children together. Miller wrote numerous stage and radio plays, screenplays, nonfiction and fiction works. Award winning plays such as All My Sons, Death of a Salesman and The Crucible are a few of the best known.
Miller's personal life was colorful. He left his first wife and in 1956 married Marilyn Monroe. They had met in 1951, had a brief affair but remained in contact. Because of his affiliation with the Group Theatre, Miller was called to testify before the House of Un-American Activities Committee. He researched the witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts, likening them to the activities of the Un-American Activities Committee. After Miller and Monroe divorced in1961 Monroe died of an apparent drug overdose. In 1962 Miller married photographer Inge Morath and they had two children. Daniel, their son, was born with Down Syndrome and was institutionalized.
Retrieved February 9, 2010 at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Miller
Genre: Tragedy
Curriculum Ties: Drama, character study
Book Talking Ideas: Why does Willy lose touch with reality and get lost in the past? How does Willy's family cope with his self-destruction?
Interest Age: 16 and up
Challenge Issues: none
Reason for inclusion: High School curriculum ties for drama. It is an excellent example of character analysis and development. It is also a classic play.
Genre: Tragedy
Curriculum Ties: Drama, character study
Book Talking Ideas: Why does Willy lose touch with reality and get lost in the past? How does Willy's family cope with his self-destruction?
Interest Age: 16 and up
Challenge Issues: none
Reason for inclusion: High School curriculum ties for drama. It is an excellent example of character analysis and development. It is also a classic play.
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