I recently saw the 2000 filmed version of Death of a Salesman with Brian Dennehy. It left me so unmoved I searched to find other versions on line. I had already seen the Dustin Hoffman version (hated it) and could only find snips and shards of Lee J. Cobb who I know Miller raved about. Suddenly, lo and behold I came upon a 1951 film on youtube starring Fredric March. I had NO IDEA he had ever played the part! (Interesting sideline: Miller supposedly offered him the role first but he turned it down.) I know that Miller hated this film, it tanked at the box office, and that March is not a physical behemoth of a man. None of this matters. Here is a Willy Loman I could actually empathize with - he is the only one I've seen who gives a 360 degree portrayal; you get the clearest sense of how his deteriorating mind is collapsing his house of cards. It makes no difference if you think Willy Loman has Alzheimer's or some other dementia, is schizoaffective or bipolar or "just needs a long rest". This is not a portrayal dominated by screaming and bellowing. This is some of the finest acting you will see on film. He lost the Oscar to Humphrey Bogart (robbery) but won the Golden Globe (along with Mildred Dunnock and Kevin McCarthy) and the Volpi Cup at the Venice Film Festival for Best Actor. It's inspired me to expand my knowledge of March's films beyond the handful I've seen. Do yourself a favor and watch this performance!
Review of Death of a Salesman
