The 1950’s and early sixties saw a surge of popularity around the work of Tennessee Williams. More than half of his plays were reproduced for the screen. His themes of sexuality, marital infidelity and mental illness, etc., were shocking but acceptable in this era of change in moral acceptability. Nonetheless, movies of the time could only go so far. As a result, Tennessee Williams plays always had to be muted for the big screen.

Released in 1964, Night of the Iguana features an impressive cast, including Richard Burton, Deborah Kerr and Ava Gardner. Helmed by legendary John Huston, who also co-wrote the script, tormented souls and the desire for acceptance take center stage. Defrocked, alcoholic Episcopal priest T. Lawrence Shannon (Burton) is on the other side of a nervous breakdown. Stuck in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, he is getting by as a seedy tour guide. Still battling his demons, Shannon is charged with taking a group of female Texas teachers across the country. Impossible to please, the ladies are making the trip almost unbearable. Making things worse, he’s being pursued by 18-year-old Charlotte Goodall (Sue Lyon, who never escaped her “Lolita” persona) despite the efforts of her chaperone, Judith Fellowes (Grayson Hall).

As Shannon’s resistance falters, the no nonsense Fellowes threatens to report him. Desperate to prevent this, Shannon hijacks the tour bus and drives it to a rundown hotel owned by an old friend of Shannon’s, buxom widow Maxine Faulk (Ava Gardner). They are soon joined by penniless artist Hannah Jelkes (Deborah Kerr) and her 97-year old poet grandfather Noono (Cyril Delevanti) who been trying to finish a final poem before he dies.

Oscar-nominated for the same year’s Becket, Richard Burton could have easily been nominated for this. His booming voice is for Shannon’s high-strung personality. While Night of the Iguana is decidedly talky at times, Burton makes every word of his dialogue seem necessary. His character is pitiful, yet he becomes relatable. As his love interest, Sue Lyon plays the familiar role of a nymphet. Working alongside accomplished actors, she comes as somewhat nervous and vulnerable. Past her sex symbol prime, Ava Gardner shows she can really act. Behind her fancy-free attitude is a deep sadness. The always watchable Deborah Kerr never succumbs to chewing the scenery, instead her performance is brilliantly understated. Also excellent is Grayson Hall as the cloying chaperone. Largely a theater and television actress, Hall earned a much-deserved Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her performance.

Though a bit talky at times, Night of the Iguana is a recommended watch for fans of Tennessee Williams and/or any of the principle actors.

Presented in the 1.85:1 theatrical aspect ratio, Warner Archive has delivered another excellent transfer. Grayscale is beautifully film-like throughout. Blacks are inky and whites are clean. Sharpness is top notch throughout. There are no age-related artifacts to mar the viewing experience.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono sound mix is well executed. Reminiscent of the era, dialogue is front focused and clean. Benjamin Frankel’s music score and various sound effects have been subtlety mixed, resulting in a pleasant listening experience.

English SDH subtitles are included.

The following extras are available:

  • The Night of the Iguana: Huston’s Gamble (HD, 9:54) Film historians Donald Spoto, Lawrence Grobel, and Eric Lax discuss the making of the film.
  • On the Trail of the Iguana (13:40, HD) An MGM-produced publicity featurette showing some of the locations for the film in color.
  • Trailers (HD) Teaser trailer (1:08) and theatrical trailer (3:22).