The Belle of Amherst (TV 1976)

Portrait of 19th century American poet Emily Dickinson based on her poems, letters and notes. This is a taped broadcast of a live one-woman performance.

Director:

Charles S. Dubin

Writer:

William Luce

Stars:

Julie Harris

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Julie Harris	...	Emily Dickinson

Storyline

Portrait of 19th century American poet Emily Dickinson based on her poems, letters and notes. This is a taped broadcast of a live one-woman performance.

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Plot Keywords:

poet | 19th century | one woman show | live performance | massachusetts | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original Broadway production of "The Belle of Amherst" by William Luce opened at the Longacre Theater in New York on April 28, 1976 and ran for 116 performances. Julie Harris was won the 1977 Tony Award for Actress in a Drama and recreated her stage role in the filmed production.

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Connections

Referenced in 30 Rock: Generalissimo (2009)

User Reviews

One of the greatest acting performances in the 20th century

I saw the play, the one-woman show years ago, and went to see Julie Harris (from Grosse Pointe) in her dressing room, after the show. I had to tell her how moved I was, and how amazed that she had BECOME Emily Dickinson.

Years later, as I watched the video, I was riveted to the screen and many times moved to tears to actually experience the tenderness, passion and acerbic wit of the great poet. I regaled in her joys and suffered her frustrations and disappointments. She showed the world what a person can do with loneliness and spinsterhood. Dickinson had a unique talent and will go down in history as one of America's finest poets, and Julie Harris made the person vivid and believable. The range of her acting talent was remarkable, as she went freely from light humor and delight to deep passion and excruciating emotional pain. And she relished in the fact that she was a nonconformist who disturbed the gossips around her.