54
Metascore
9 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80EmpireKim NewmanEmpireKim NewmanSuperbly adapted with blistering performances from Taylor and Hepburn.
- 78Austin ChronicleMarjorie BaumgartenAustin ChronicleMarjorie BaumgartenThe battles between the imperious Hepburn and the presumed-mad Taylor are pure theatricality, while sensitive shrink Clift observes it all and emotes.
- 70Time OutTime OutAn outrageous, melodramatic shocker touching on madness, homosexual prostitution, incest, disease and cannibalism, replete with enough imagery to sustain an American Lit seminar for months.
- A deliciously bad film.
- 50Chicago ReaderDave KehrChicago ReaderDave KehrThe cast packs enough sexual ambiguity to satisfy the most rabid Williams fan (not to mention a screenplay by Gore Vidal), but Mankiewicz leaves much of the innuendo unexplored—thankfully, perhaps.
- 50TV Guide MagazineTV Guide MagazineIt was the first time that homosexuality and cannibalism had ever been handled by a mainstream studio as a commercial venture. Let's hope that it remains the last time those two practices will be presented in tandem.
- 40The New York TimesBosley CrowtherThe New York TimesBosley CrowtherJoseph L. Mankiewicz' direction is strained and sluggish, as is, indeed, the whole conceit of the drama. It should have been left to the off-Broadway stage.
- 40The New YorkerPauline KaelThe New YorkerPauline KaelThey should never have allowed the audience so much time to think about what's going on: the short play turns into a ludicrous, lumbering horror movie.