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Death of a Salesman

  • TV Movie
  • 19851985
  • PGPG
  • 2h 16m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
11K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Dustin Hoffman and John Malkovich in Death of a Salesman (1985)
  • Drama
An aging traveling salesman recognizes the emptiness of his life and tries to fix it.An aging traveling salesman recognizes the emptiness of his life and tries to fix it.An aging traveling salesman recognizes the emptiness of his life and tries to fix it.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
11K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Volker Schlöndorff
  • Writer
    • Arthur Miller(teleplay)
  • Stars
    • Dustin Hoffman
    • Kate Reid
    • John Malkovich
Top credits
  • Director
    • Volker Schlöndorff
  • Writer
    • Arthur Miller(teleplay)
  • Stars
    • Dustin Hoffman
    • Kate Reid
    • John Malkovich
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 57User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 Primetime Emmys
      • 7 wins & 11 nominations total

    Photos14

    Dustin Hoffman and John Malkovich in Death of a Salesman (1985)
    Dustin Hoffman and John Malkovich in Death of a Salesman (1985)
    Dustin Hoffman and John Malkovich in Death of a Salesman (1985)
    Dustin Hoffman and John Malkovich in Death of a Salesman (1985)
    Dustin Hoffman and John Malkovich in Death of a Salesman (1985)
    Dustin Hoffman and Louis Zorich in Death of a Salesman (1985)
    Dustin Hoffman in Death of a Salesman (1985)
    Dustin Hoffman and John Malkovich in Death of a Salesman (1985)
    Dustin Hoffman in Death of a Salesman (1985)
    Dustin Hoffman, Arthur Miller, and Volker Schlöndorff in Death of a Salesman (1985)
    Dustin Hoffman and John Malkovich in Death of a Salesman (1985)
    Dustin Hoffman in Death of a Salesman (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dustin Hoffman
    Dustin Hoffman
    • William 'Willy' Lomanas William 'Willy' Loman
    Kate Reid
    Kate Reid
    • Linda Lomanas Linda Loman
    John Malkovich
    John Malkovich
    • Biff Lomanas Biff Loman
    Stephen Lang
    Stephen Lang
    • Harold 'Happy' Lomanas Harold 'Happy' Loman
    Charles Durning
    Charles Durning
    • Charleyas Charley
    Louis Zorich
    Louis Zorich
    • Ben Lomanas Ben Loman
    David Chandler
    • Bernardas Bernard
    • (as David S. Chandler)
    Jon Polito
    Jon Polito
    • Howard Wagneras Howard Wagner
    Kathryn Rossetter
    Kathryn Rossetter
    • Woman from Bostonas Woman from Boston
    • (as Kathy Rossetter)
    Tom Signorelli
    Tom Signorelli
    • Stanleyas Stanley
    Linda Kozlowski
    Linda Kozlowski
    • Miss Forsytheas Miss Forsythe
    Karen Needle
    • Lettaas Letta
    Anne McIntosh
    • Jennyas Jenny
    Michael Quinlan
    • Waiteras Waiter
    • Director
      • Volker Schlöndorff
    • Writer
      • Arthur Miller(teleplay) (play)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Dustin Hoffman called this his favorite acting experience.
    • Goofs
      When Willy comes out of his flashback in the bathroom of Frank's Chop House, the close up shot shows a drink on the toilet seat. When the shot shifts behind the entering waiter, the drink is gone.
    • Quotes

      Biff Loman: I run out of that building and I see... the sky. I see all the things I love in this world. The work, the food, the time to sit and smoke. And I look at this pen and I ask myself, "What the hell am I grabbing this thing for? Why am I trying to become something I don't wanna become when all I want is out there waiting for me the minute I say I know who I am?"

    • Connections
      Featured in American Masters: Private Conversations: On the Set of 'Death of a Salesman' (1985)

    User reviews57

    Review
    Top review
    Hoffman as Loman does it again
    This TV adaptation of Arthur Miller's most successful play benefits from the serious playing of Dustin Hoffman in the lead as failing salesman Willy Loman. Miller's play takes the plight of the common man within the confines of the 'American dream' and then kicks him down.

    Loman's sons are played by John Malkovich (Biff, memorable) and Stephen Lang (Happy, irritating); while his wife is played with tact and resignation by Kate Reid.

    The stagey feel of this production comes across in every scene (the famous ones especially with Howard, Loman's boss; and Bernard, the successful son of Loman's colleague; and the final scenes with Linda) although they are handled very well. It would be a temptation to dismiss Willy Loman as loopy and in the throes of a breakdown and to ignore everything he says, but his words strike a chord and stay with you. 'Death of a Salesman' still has something to say to us, and a warning to give, even six decades after it was written.
    helpful•13
    6
    • didi-5
    • Dec 5, 2004

    FAQ1

    • Is this movie based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 15, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Tod eines Handlungsreisenden
    • Filming locations
      • Kaufman Astoria Studios - 3412 36th Street, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Roxbury Productions
      • Punch Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 16 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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