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The Pawnbroker
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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780782008333
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, NTSC
ISBN: 078200833X
Label: Republic Pictures
Languages: English (Original Language), AnalogGerman (Original Language), AnalogSpanish (Original Language), Analog
Manufacturer: Republic Pictures
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Republic Pictures
Release Date: October 14, 1997
Running Time: 116 minutes
Studio: Republic Pictures
Theatrical Release Date: April 20, 1965
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Editorial Review:
Based on a novel by Edward Lewis Wallant, this gritty story follows Sol (Rod Steiger in a breakout performance), a lonely camp survivor who has dealt with the destruction of his family by suppressing all emotion and cleaving to the philosophy that nothing matters except money. (His bedridden and dying friend Mendel describes him, to his face, as "the walking dead.") Sol cannot accept the friendship of his assistant, Ortiz (Jaime Sanchez), or of an equally lonely widow (Geraldine Fitzgerald). As the 25th anniversary of his wife's murder approaches, he starts to fall apart, and it becomes clear that what he really wants is to die. The film was considered shocking when first released, both because of its rawness and because of brief nudity. Time has made some of the dramatic touches seem melodramatic--especially the corny "blood on my hands!" final scene. But Steiger's performance is still remarkable, and, even after MTV, the sudden-flashback editing is a forceful technique. A high point of Sidney Lumet's career. Black and white, with lots of atmospheric trumpets by Quincy Jones. --Richard Farr
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Life as punishment
An amazing and hearbreaking story about German Jewsih immigrant Sol Nazerman, who lives in NYC and owns a pawnshop. Sol is a lonely man, unable to relate to other people's neediness for personal connection. He is so detached from the world that only random comments from his store customers or friends and family can stir angry replies from him. Sol believes that world is governed by greed, which he resents in spite of the fact that he has lots of money himself. It is also sad to see him in his ... Read More
Rating: - Highly Introspective
This film is an excellent social commentary, Rod Steiger is an excellent actor, and his performance coupled with the social commentary creates very a penetrating experience. This is not a sit down and eat popcorn film, it basically burdens your soul and leaves you shaken afterward. The film relates to the memories and conscience of a Holocaust survivor, and how he manages to deal or not deal with both. The reflections of the survivor are terribly true to life, and therefore impact the viewer; the ... Read More
Rating: - Ever a c lassic
Some time framed memories seem to last, in this case, a Rod Steiger classic performance. Idylic days in the countryside transform into 3rd Reich madness and then a lifetime of nightmarish memories interwoven with daily survival. A movie that operates on different levels remains effective in running the gamult of emotions tinged with sadness and longing. A squandered Oscar opportunity for Steiger by the Acadamy which sought redemption by bestowing the award years later for an overated performance ... Read More
Rating: - Stark 60's urban drama
Might be Rod Steiger's most morose and bleakiest role. As an Auschwitz survivor whose family were raped and tortured there, he feels a veritable menagerie of despair because of the guilt he feels for his inability to extricate them from the camp and for the guilt he feels because he somehow managed to make it out. His job as the titled pawnbroker does nothing but fuel more fire to his dire situation in life as he is cast amongst the severest cases of poverty in his store's Harlem neighborhood. Added ... Read More
Rating: - Excellent
Excellent for the period. This film shot Steiger into Stardom. A must see for all holocaust aftermath followers.
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