The Rose Tattoo (1955)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(1,018 ratings)

Scripted by famed playwright Tennessee Williams, The Rose Tattoo stars Anna Magnani as Serafina Delle Rose, a Sicilian woman who now lives in the American South. As the film opens, she is still mourning the death of her beloved husband, constantly telling herself stories of their time together. Her… More Scripted by famed playwright Tennessee Williams, The Rose Tattoo stars Anna Magnani as Serafina Delle Rose, a Sicilian woman who now lives in the American South. As the film opens, she is still mourning the death of her beloved husband, constantly telling herself stories of their time together. Her fragile emotional existence is shattered when she discovers that her husband had been carrying on with another woman. Luckily, Serafina also meets truck driver Alvaro Mangiacavallo (Burt Lancaster) around this time, and their tentative romance may help her through this troubling time. Williams wrote the script for Magnani, who was awarded an Oscar for her work in the film. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 57 min.
Directed By: Daniel Mann
Written By: Tennessee Williams, Hal Kanter
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 12, 1955 Wide
On DVD: Sep 21, 2004

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
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.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
Anna Magnani shines ... but the stagebound feel of the film, and especially some wretched overacting by Burt Lancaster, almost sink it.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

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

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… More
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.
jay n

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

Anna Magnani gives one of the most truthful and poignant performances ever seen on screen. She definitely is the driving force of the film.