The Long, Hot Summer

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The Long, Hot Summer

Released Apr 3, 1958

1h 55m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

82%

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5,000+ Ratings

Handsome vagabond Ben Quick (Paul Newman) returns to the Mississippi town his late father called home, but rumors of his dad's pyromaniac tendencies follow him as soon as he sets foot there. The proud young man's determination eventually wins over civic leader Will Varner (Orson Welles), who decides Ben might be just the man for his daughter, Clara (Joanne Woodward) -- much to the displeasure of Will's gutless son (Anthony Franciosa) and Clara's society boyfriend (Richard Anderson).

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TIME Magazine

Newman's performance as Ben Quick, before the script blunts it, is as mean and keen as a cackle-edge scythe.

Oct 1, 2008

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Variety Staff

Variety

This picture is strikingly directed by Martin Ritt.

Jan 7, 2008

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Time Out

The ending is an unconvincing cop out, but it can't spoil the film's compulsive dramatic tension (or a marvellous comic cameo from Angela Lansbury as Welles' long-suffering mistress).

Jun 24, 2006

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Marshall Scott

Cosmopolitan

An excellent cast gives an exceptional performance under Martin Ritt's skilled direction.

Jan 25, 2022

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Jean-Luc Godard

Cahiers du Cinéma

To be nice, let's just say simply that Ritt is perhaps not a common hack but an honest gaffer (even then, there are better).

Nov 3, 2021

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Martin Ritt directs a first-rate cast in this adaptation of several stories by William Faulkner.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 11, 2021

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William R. P

Stagey. Should be seen live in a theater, but they put it on film

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/20/24

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Audience Member

Really good movie right here highly recommend it James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas September 27, 2023

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/30/23

Full Review

Steve M

Rather like time travelling back to the 50's, how society thought of women, how people chose who to marry, life in the South. I thought Joanne Woodward was way too old to play a 23 year old, but she was 28 at the time. Just an old face I guess. Paul Newman, Angela Landsberry, Lee Remick, this movie had the stars.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/22/23

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steve d

A great story helped along by fantastic performances.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

The best romance movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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deke p

watched about half of it on tv pbs 2018. that was about all i cd take. Lots of fake southern accents. Lee Remick super hot. Joanne not so much, but married Paul later that year. Interesting look at South in the 50s or earlier.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Martin Ritt

Director

Paul Newman

Ben Quick

Joanne Woodward

Clara Varner

Anthony Franciosa

Jody Varner

Orson Welles

Will Varner

Lee Remick

Eula Varner

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Synopsis

Handsome vagabond Ben Quick (Paul Newman) returns to the Mississippi town his late father called home, but rumors of his dad's pyromaniac tendencies follow him as soon as he sets foot there. The proud young man's determination eventually wins over civic leader Will Varner (Orson Welles), who decides Ben might be just the man for his daughter, Clara (Joanne Woodward) -- much to the displeasure of Will's gutless son (Anthony Franciosa) and Clara's society boyfriend (Richard Anderson).

Director: Martin Ritt
Producer: Jerry Wald
Screenwriter: William Faulkner, Irving Ravetch, Harriet Frank Jr.
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, Columbia TriStar Home Video
Production Co: Jerry Wald Productions
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 1958, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 11, 2010
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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