The Swimmer

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The Swimmer

PG

1968

1h 34m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

100%

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27 Reviews

83%

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2,500+ Ratings

Well-off ad man Ned Merrill (Burt Lancaster) is visiting a friend when he notices the abundance of backyard pools that populate their upscale suburb. Ned suddenly decides that he'd like to travel the eight miles back to his own home by simply swimming across every pool in town. Soon, Ned's journey becomes harrowing; at each house, he is somehow confronted with a reminder of his romantic, domestic and economic failures, until a final visit with an old flame (Janice Rule) leaves him devastated.

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Critics Consensus

The Swimmer dives into its penetrating indictment of 1960s suburbia with a career highlight performance from Burt Lancaster and evocatively lensed imagery.

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Noel Murray

The Dissolve

As effectively as almost any movie ever made about American suburbia, The Swimmer gets the contentment that comes with material success[...] And it gets how the fantasy is hard to sustain.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 1, 2014

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

A resounding commercial flop, this has since been recognized as a signature 60s film, prescient in its view of American self-deception.

Oct 30, 2007

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

A largely loony but oddly compulsive allegory.

Jun 24, 2006

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

It’s the kind of movie that tends to haunt viewers with memories that linger for years after the credits roll. There’s simply no shaking this Lancaster performance.

Jun 3, 2024

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…The Swimmer’s social commentary is a little dated now perhaps, but the acerbic portrayal of the toxic American male in decline is captured in a way that should really sing for modern viewers…

Rated: 4/5

Jun 16, 2023

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Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

Burt Lancaster’s performance is arguably his very best, with the actor recognizing his unique positioning to capture the rotted heart of this quickly evaporating creature.

Rated: 10/10

May 15, 2023

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Leo P

This heartbreaker that begins with a casual encounter among old friends, grows increasingly disturbing when it becomes clear that Ned Merrill is not the man he seems to be. ( It is my understanding that Burt Lancaster couldn't swim prior to filming this movie. He definitely learned how to swim, but not how to dive. There goes my half star.)

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/18/25

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Ed .

Excellent film. Get permission before swimming in someone else's pool. Get out of the water before autumn and before people catch on to who you really are.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

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Andy W

An odd film, like a prolonged twilight zone episode but without the irony or twist.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/12/25

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Jed M.

I randomly stumbled onto this film and will never forget it as long as I live.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

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Tim M

With an earnest performance from Burt Lancaster, The Swimmer wades through weighty themes of nostalgia and pride with grace.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/30/25

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James P

Why had I never heard of this movie? A genius expose on the loss of dreams. A strange RoseMariesk without the devil meets Falling Down. Lancaster, one of my least favorites of his generation, is excellent as a lost man trying to find his way home only to realize he lost his home along time ago.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

Full Review

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Frank Perry

Director

Sydney Pollack

Director

Burt Lancaster

Ned Merrill

Janet Landgard

Julie Ann Hooper

Janice Rule

Shirley Abbott

Tony Bickley

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Synopsis

Well-off ad man Ned Merrill (Burt Lancaster) is visiting a friend when he notices the abundance of backyard pools that populate their upscale suburb. Ned suddenly decides that he'd like to travel the eight miles back to his own home by simply swimming across every pool in town. Soon, Ned's journey becomes harrowing; at each house, he is somehow confronted with a reminder of his romantic, domestic and economic failures, until a final visit with an old flame (Janice Rule) leaves him devastated.

Director: Frank Perry, Sydney Pollack
Producer: Roger H. Lewis, Frank Perry
Screenwriter: John Cheever
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 15, 1968, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 25, 2010
Runtime: 1h 34m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.85:1)

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