Nonno's last poem

Excerpt from the film: Night of the Iguana (1964). Nonno (Cyril Delavanti), Hannah (Deborah Kerr) the artist's grandfather, who accompanies her in her wanderings, delivers his last poem to a captive audience, Maxine (Ava Gardner) and the Rev. Shannon (Richard Burton), a poem which turns out to be his testament to humanity.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Poetry
• death
• old age
• filial love

[2legit64]

@ColumbiaPerna You are so right about Deborah Kerr. Love her. I've recently seen all of her movies except for the two that I'm still trying to get my hands on. She never phoned in a performance even in the campiest of movies. It was obvious that she loved bringing characters to life. Also, I agree with you on Ava Gardner's performance as well. I've watched this film about 10 times in the last few months and never grow tired of watching this compelling story unfold.

[ColumbiaPerna]

Williams originally wrote the poem using an Orange branch and then later as a lemon branch -- this evolved into a short story that eventually became The Night Of The Iguana, and the poem emerged again, this time using an olive branch. The film is a masterpiece -- Deborah Kerr (Hannah) was perhaps the greatest actress ever. Ava Gardner was unsure of her talents, but somehow she emerges from this film as another great. Maybe her own insecurities manifested well in her portrayal of Maxine.

[alantucson]

How extraordinary was Tennessee Williams?!! He not only wrote this entire screenplay, but this amazing poem itself. I urge all to watch all of his works of genius - you will cry, you may be disturbed, but they will remain touchstones of art, intelligence, compassion and humanity for you always.

[Rociob21]

I have watched this film two hours ago and I can´t stop thinking about this amazing poem. I'm obssessed with it. It's simply beautiful.

[MrAbbeyDana]

Watched this for the first time today, couldn't not cry. What a beautiful beautiful poem.

[thehappyhedonist]

The first time I watched this movie I was eleven or twelve.

I don't know...

If this isn't one of the most beautiful poems ever written...?

It haunts me since then.

[edyaya]

A touching poem and a magnificent performance by Cyril Delavanti. A truly great cinematic scene. One of my favorite movies. Thanks so much for posting it.

[Northside777]

Wonderfully moving and visionary poem which Tennessee Williams placed into the play and the film version of "Night of the Iguana".

[billysurge]

thanks indeed

[salaciouslips]

Beautiful ,absolutely beautiful. Thanks for the vid....salaciouslips