Lanford Wilson's Fifth of July (Broadway Theatre Archive)

A Very Good Page-to-Screen Presentation
Lanford Wilson is the modern day Chekhov, and while "Fifth of July" isn't the absolute best example of this, it comes pretty darned close. The only thing really out of place is William Hurt as Kenneth, here portrayed by Richard Thomas. Throw away all preconceptions of Thomas's from his most famous earlier work (involving a family drama), and you'll find yourself very satisfied with his performance, as he is able to play the typically reserved, held-back Wilson-esque character of Kenneth with greath verve and conviction. He seems to be having so much fun, always smiling and giggling, but you can see in Thomas's performance that there's deep emotional baggage stirring, and even though William Hurt would've been able to more thoroughly convey Kenneth's complex character, Thomas does a very good job and it doesn't affect the quality of the production at all. Just don't stare directly at that mole-thingie on his face!

Swoozie Kurtz won the Tony for best actress, and you can see why clear...

Timeless
I first saw this film 20 years ago, on Showtime network. I was mesmerized and entranced. I understand this was originally a stage production, and it has been flawlessly adapted to film. The cast has real chemistry and the story is not predictable, which makes it that much more enjoyable.

This film is an excellent drama, sprinkled with just the right amount of laughs along the way. It is a wonderful character study and obviously long-overlooked, so I am glad to know a whole new audience will have an opportunity to discover it!

Great cast doing a great play!
What a pleasure it is to see this production again. I've seen several live productions of "Fifth of July;" and it has become one of my favorite plays. I well remember this broadcast version from many years ago when it was first broadcast on PBS; I was blown away by the fine performances then, and I am still. It was unforgettable. For those of us who remember the 60s and early 70s, its like welcoming dear old friends into my home. It's a terrific, warmhearted and human play. And really funny too. The performances are first rate all, but Swoosie Kurtz is amazing and touching as an ex-hippy with a fried brain, heart of gold and the wisdom of an old soul. Thanks to Broadway Theater Archives for this special treat.

Click to Editorial Reviews