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The Long, Hot Summer

Play trailer Poster for The Long, Hot Summer Released Apr 3, 1958 1h 55m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 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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The Long, Hot Summer

Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Variety Staff Variety This picture is strikingly directed by Martin Ritt. Jan 7, 2008 Full Review 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 Full Review Marshall Scott Cosmopolitan An excellent cast gives an exceptional performance under Martin Ritt's skilled direction. Jan 25, 2022 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Gus M Quality drama. Really good performances. Feels like a play or a book but transfers well onto film. Welles is impressive as Newman is mesmerising . I thoroughly enjoyed it. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/18/25 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review steve d A great story helped along by fantastic performances. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member The best romance movie ever made! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Long, Hot Summer

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Long, Hot Summer

The Long, Hot Summer (1958) The Long, Hot Summer (1958) The Long, Hot Summer (1958) The Long, Hot Summer (1958) The Long, Hot Summer (1958) The Long, Hot Summer (1958) The Long, Hot Summer (1958) The Long, Hot Summer (1958) View more photos

Movie Info

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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