The American Parade (TV Mini Series) Song of Myself (1976) User Reviews

Unforgettable performance by Torn

[laursene · 8/10 · 30 April 2007]

Not a great film, of course, but a fine showcase for a superb performance by Rip Torn - possibly the best thing he's ever done. He looks remarkable like the Whitman of the first edition of Leaves of Grass; to say he brings the poet to life is both an over- and an understatement. No scenery chewing here: Torn's Whitman is a real person; the actor doesn't have to shout in our ears for us to believe we're entering into the life of a marvelous and unique individual. The scenarist handles Whitman's homosexuality head-on but without implying more than we actually know. I'd guess this ranks with the greatest theatrical "impersonations" I've ever seen, up there with Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain and Julie Harris as Emily Dickinson.

Completely captures Whitman's exuberance

[khoag3-1 · 10/10 · 25 July 2003]

I saw this when it was originally on television and fell in love with Whitman's work. Torn completely captured Whitman's vitality and love of life. The most memorable scene was Torn shouting "Leaves of Grass" to the sky.