Streetcar Named Desire

I believe that Vivien Leigh does the better job of portraying Blanche in the 50's version of the video. First of all, she seems like an overall better actor. Her acting got me far more interested in what I was watching than the 1995 version did. Second, and most importantly, it seemed to me that she really captured Blanche's personality, with her descent to eventual madness and her flirtatious ways. In the beginning of the video, it is evident that she is trying to make Stanley jealous, even though she has no logical reason to draw the interest of such a dangerous and angry man. Of course, as soon as Stanley starts to become aggressive Blanche becomes very timid and has the expected reaction of a woman in fear.

Leigh also does the best job of acting out the quote by Tennessee Williams, "I have found it easier to identify with the characters who verge upon hysteria, who were frightened of life, who were desperate to reach out to another person. But these seemingly fragile people are the strong people really." It is quite clear in the 50's version that Blanch is on the verge of "hysteria", as she completely fabricates the story of an old boyfriend asking her on a cruise of the Caribbean, and makes it very believable that she is going crazy.