Four-Star Films : ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’

In 1989, a film preservationist at Warner Bros. discovered four minutes of deleted film in this classic, a cut that was made without director Elia Kazan’s knowledge. The restored footage clearly adds a more sensual tone to the film. Plus, the new print allows us to recognize that “Streetcar” was both a landmark in the fight against censorship and perhaps the most thrilling display of ensemble acting in all of American films. Marlon Brando’s anti-heroic Stanley Kowalksi (right) is one of the most completely realized portrayals ever put on film. And Kim Hunter’s Stella and Vivien Leigh’s Blanche Du Bois (from left), in addition to Karl Malden’s Mitch, are as alive as the day they were filmed (AMC Saturday at 6 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.).

Other four-star films airing this week:

East of Eden / A&E;, Sunday, 11:30 a.m.

All Quiet on the Western Front / AMC, Tuesday, 11:05 a.m.

Psycho / TBS, Thursday, midnight.

Shoot the Piano Player / Bravo, Thursday, 10:30 a.m., again at 2:30 p.m.

Night of the Living Dead / A&E;, Friday, 2 a.m.

Testament / Bravo, Friday, 8 p.m., again at 1 a.m.