This superb video rendition is noteworthy in that it reunites the original leads, Lee J. Cobb and Mildred Dunnock. It was shortened from the original Broadway production but fortunately the editing was done by the original playwright, Arthur Miller. Viewers can thus be sure that not much substance was lost in the changes.

The play is about Willy Loman, a tired, old salesman who has long passed his peak. His business accounts no longer want to see him and very few give him orders to fill. His long-suffering wife, Linda, tries, in vain, to comfort him. Willy’s hopes and dreams are with his two sons, Biff and Happy. They are both outgoing, charming, and popular, but they disappoint Willy. The boys have big dreams but the dreams don’t amount too much. Meanwhile, the boys’ nerdy friend Bernard, attains success as a lawyer appearing before the Supreme Court. As Willy sees his sons floundering, he heartbreakingly asks Bernard, “What’s the secret?” Willy is no longer able to support his family but is helped by his wealthy neighbor Charley. Willy anguishes and hallucinates about how he turned down Uncle Ben’s adventurous but risky opportunity to make a fortune. The play is a tragedy. It’s also, truly and simply, about the death of a salesman.