Criterion released this Sidney Lumet directed Marlon Brando film, and that's the version I watched.
Brando stars as the wandering, murmuring Xavier, a somewhat mystery man, who becomes entangled in the happenings at a town he happens to be wandering through. Partially he gets entangled because everywhere he goes he gets hit on by women, whether it be the alcoholic and problematic Carol, or married and desperate Lady Torrance.
Most of the movie, though, is his listening to monologues or being semi involved in them, as characters dialogue about the wears and whiles of their lives to him. Written by Tennessee Williams, this is rejoining Brando with his material from A Streetcar Named Desire. This is case in point that not everything the guy touched was gold.
I dunno, I read a few things online about exactly why this didn't work. A lot of people blame the actress who plays Torrance, Anna Magnani. Certainly that is part of the problem. I'd be interested in seeing her in her Oscar Winner role in The Rose Tattoo, because here she is very uninspiring, and the chemistry between her and Brando is non-existent.
But also, this is not one of those where Brando's character gets involved in crime or in a caper or whatever. There is a climactic ending, but wow do you have to wait and wait for anything to happen. In the meantime its just boring, without the crackling dialogue or the amazing shot composition present in Streetcar.
Brando is great in it, but beyond him its not like the worst thing ever but it is not very interesting or special. 2 stars.
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