IMDb >
The Rose Tattoo (1955)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at
blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
blockbuster.com
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThe Rose Tattoo (1955) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 5 | slideshow) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
1956 (West Germany) moreTagline:
Her blood boiled with desire...raged with jealous fury! morePlot:
An Italian-American neighborhood in Louisiana is disturbed when truck driver Rosario Delle Rose is killed by police while smuggling... more | add synopsisAwards:
Won 3 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 7 nominations moreUser Comments:
A Flawless Diamond Performance in a Gold-Plated Setting moreCast
(Complete credited cast)| Anna Magnani | ... | Serafina Delle Rose | |
| Burt Lancaster | ... | Alvaro Mangiacavallo | |
| Marisa Pavan | ... | Rosa Delle Rose | |
| Ben Cooper | ... | Seaman Jack Hunter | |
| Virginia Grey | ... | Estelle Hohengarten | |
| Jo Van Fleet | ... | Bessie | |
| Sandro Giglio | ... | Father De Leo | |
| Mimi Aguglia | ... | Assunta | |
| Florence Sundstrom | ... | Flora |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
117 minCountry:
USAColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Although Tennessee Williams wrote the role of Serafina in his 1951 Broadway play for Anna Magnani, her English skills were too limited and Maureen Stapleton played the role instead to great acclaim. Stapleton also would originate the role of Lady Torrance in Williams' "Orpheus Descending", a role Magnani also would play on film. moreSoundtrack:
COME LE ROSE moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Rose Tattoo (1955)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| dark drama, wonderful! | boarding_angel |
| What exactly are horns? | pithylady |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Big Fish | Malèna | Gone with the Wind | The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne | Peyton Place |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |






Ten out of ten for Anna Magnani's tour-de-force performance in "The Rose Tattoo," but the film itself falls a notch or two below that level. From time to time, a performance comes along that is so brilliant that the work of all other actors in the same year pales in comparison. Ben Kingsley in "Gandhi" and Daniel Day Lewis in "My Left Foot" come to mind, and Anna Magnani as Serafina Delle Rose in "The Rose Tattoo" can be added to that short list. The actress seems to physically transform herself before your eyes from a depressed, self-pitying widow, who has been swallowed by grief over the death of the husband that she worshiped, into a flirtatious, earthy woman, who cannot resist the attention and physical attraction of Alvaro, a truck driver, who is played by Burt Lancaster. Unfortunately, Lancaster, who often overacted when there was not a strong director to control him, lets loose at times in a nearly buffoonish performance as the suitor. Fortunately, nearly half the movie passes before he arrives on screen. Since Lancaster is capable of subtle restrained work such as that in "Atlantic City" and "Field of Dreams," one can only fault director Daniel Mann for not reining in the actor's over-the-top gestures and shameless mugging.
The original Tennessee Williams play has been effectively opened up and only occasionally betrays its stage origins. James Wong Howe's black-and-white cinematography beautifully captures the atmospheric art direction, and two of the film's three Academy Awards deservedly went to the cinematographer and art director. The third, of course, was presented to Anna Magnani. The film has some dry stretches, Marisa Pavan is obviously much older than the 15 that she portrays, and Lancaster is definitely miscast, which was possibly a studio decision for marquee value. However, despite its flaws, "The Rose Tattoo" remains a worthy film for its Tennessee Williams lines and the brilliance of Magnani's performance. Unfortunately, the great Italian actress made far too few films and died much too young, so film lovers should relish this diamond-caliber performance, even if its setting is only gold-plated. .