Product Description

An on-screen adaptation of the Tony- award-winning play about a Jewish homosexual who, except for a different sexual preference, goes through the same struggles of love, jealousy and self-doubt that affect us all.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13736 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-05-04
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English, Hebrew
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 121 minutes

Amazon.com
Harvey Fierstein had a smash hit on Broadway with the stage version of this story about a drag queen, but whatever the magic there was doesn't show up in this film adaptation. (Fierstein allegedly couldn't line up an A-list or even B-list director in 1988 to tackle the gay story line, so he agreed to work with Paul Bogart, a ubiquitous television director but an undistinguished feature filmmaker.) Fierstein's performance is fine, but likely a shadow of his live work, while Anne Bancroft is very strong in the role of his character's mother. Matthew Broderick went against the tide of fear shared by most Hollywood actors at the time about playing gay characters. The times have certainly changed since then. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Welcome to DVD Arnold. I've been waiting for you.
I was delighted to find that at long last, "Torch Song Trilogy" was finally on DVD. If you are not familiar with this film, it is a must see. A delightful, funny, gentle and moving film. For those not familiar, to put it in the context of time, it was one of the first movies with a positive image of gay characters.

I go way back with Torch Song. In the 1970's I saw, "International Stud" in the Village (I believe it was a theatre on Bleecker St.) I also remember seeing it as an entire triology off off Broadway when it was presented by the Glines (I seem to remember that the ticket cost $5 with a coupon, or was it 2-for $10 with coupon?)

Harvey Fierstien is to be applauded. We take for granted the more positive image we see of gays today (although apparently, we have progressed from the film images of where we kill ourselves, to the television images of where we are only acceptable if we are making straight people happy and so that they can marry each other, while we ourselves are not allowed to get married).

Torch Song represents hope, love, and pride.

A big plus on the DVD is the not to be missed commentary by Harvey.

Thank you Harvey for writing this. Thank you for being a pioneer. Gez ... where is this review going? Somewhere in the background a drag queen is beginning to sing the "Battle Hymn of the Republic!"

Outstanding movie!
This is an classic. It will make you laugh, cry, get angry, and, if you have any compassion whatsoever, it will touch your heart. I am straight. I say that only in the hope that other straight men will give this movie a chance. Certainly the homophobes of the world would not consider watching this excellent film and that's their loss. The cast does a wonderful job. Harvey Fierstein is fantastic. His character is rich and deep and that's due in no small part to the fact that Harvey is rich and deep. Anne Bancroft does a great job as the mother trying to understand and cope. Matthew Broderick and Brian Kerwin play their roles with a great subtlety. It would have been easy to camp it up as stereotypical gays but they gave their characters more class and style. Certainly influenced by Harvey.

Take an evening. Sit quietly. Eliminate distractions. Focus on the film. And enjoy. It would surprise me if you didn't agree that this is a superb movie.

Excellent makeover of the play into a movie!
This is an offbeat story of a gay female impersonator in his seach for love and a committed relationship. Primarily psychological drama with excellent insights and incisive dialog. Anne Bancroft is great as the Jewish mother, and Harvey Fierstein, who wrote the original play, brings so much angst and personality to his portrayal of the main character that I just couldn't help wishing I knew someone like that in real life. Highly recommended if you want to know more about a lifestyle most people have never seen.