Search - Ron Steiger: The Pawnbroker on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Adult Situations Movie Release: 1964 DVD Release: 12/16/2003 Format: DVD - Black and White - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 51 mins Studio: Republic Pictures Members Wishing: 7 Genres: Drama, Psychological Drama, Urban Drama

Critically acclaimed Rod Steiger plays Sol Nazerman, a Jewish pawnbroker who survived imprisonment in a Nazi concentration camp, even though his wife and family did not. The devastating experience and unrelenting memories inhibit Sol from emotional involvement with life. He has no faith in religion and less in mankind. Though he carries on an affair with a woman who was also a victim of the Nazi camps, it is without emotion and Sol grows increasingly bitter and callous, withdrawing still further from the world around him. As his small shop in Harlem is run with little care or attention, it becomes a convenient cover for a local racketeer. Finally, a caring social worker tries to appeal to his humanity, but Sol's emotional wounds may prove to be too great to overcome. Based on a book by Edward Lewis Wallant, The Pawnbroker features the skilled camera work of Boris Kaufman, who had previously worked with director Sidney Lumet on films such as 12 Angry Men (1957) and Long Day's Journey into Night (1962). The score is composed by Quincy Jones, who would contribute to Lumet's 1978 musical, The Wiz. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide

Rod Steiger - Sol Nazerman
Geraldine Fitzgerald - Marilyn Birchfield
Brock Peters - Rodriguez
Thelma Oliver - Ortiz's Girl
Jaime Sanchez - Jesus Ortiz

Sidney Lumet's psychological drama The Pawnbroker contains arguably the best performance ever given by the award-winning actor Rod Steiger as a guilt-ridden Holocaust survivor. The film is presented in a standard full-frame transfer. The English soundtrack is solidly presented, something that is greatly appreciated considering the superb score by Quincy Jones. Although there are no supplemental materials of any consequence, this modestly priced DVD is worthwhile for any film lover, or anyone with an interest in the art of film acting. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide