Death of a Salesman (1951)

 Death of a Salesman (1951)

Written by Arthur Miller
Adapted screenplay by Stanley Roberts
Directed by Laslo Benedek

This is the first movie adaptation of Arthur Miller’s hit American tragedy  play.
It was released in late 1951 two years after the original Broadway production. Mildred Dunnock, Linda Loman from the original production, recreates her performance in the film as well as Cameron Mitchell the original Broadway Happy Loman.

The movie has a terrific central performance with Fredric March as Willy Loman the salesman. He was a terrific film actor and his expressiveness in this powerful role in the great play is a brilliant combination of elements.
Willy is all of us in our competitive commercial market reality. He stands up straight briefly talking proudly about how he was liked and respected which was ultimately what he had to sell, himself. Then he collapses again at the reality of the situation as a victim of the system.

The film has some beautiful transitions from current time to Willy’s dreams of the past. Alex North who did the music for the Broadway production contributes a powerful and appropriate score.

Kevin McCarthy plays Biff. The core of the drama is the conflict between Willy and his drifter son Biff. It is also one of McCarthy’s strongest performances.
We can really only judge actors based on what they are given to do. And here they have the best possible material to work with in this adaptation of Miller’s great American play.

What’s the deal with traveling salesmen in mid-20th Century tragic drama? Hickey, another traveling salesman, is the central character in Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh. Part of the downfall of both Willy and Hickey is the guilt of infidelity on the road.  

"Did you hear the one about the traveling salesman?"  

No

"Well, it ain't funny."