American Theatre on the Big Screen

In this course, we view five plays by the most influential American playwrights of the 20th century, all adapted into feature films. A Delicate Balance (1973) is based on Edward Albee’s 1966 Pulitzer Prize-winning play All My Sons (1948) is based on Arthur Miller's 1946 play. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) is adapted from Tennessee Williams's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. A View from the Bridge (1962) is based on Arthur Miller’s 1955 play. Sweeney Todd (2007) is based on the 1979 stage musical by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler, which in turn is based on the 1970 play by Christopher Bond. After each viewing, we analyze how each film uses the verbal, visual and visceral art form in presenting the work. As Hamlet said, “The play’s the thing wherein to catch the conscience of the king.”