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The Swimmer

Play trailer Poster for The Swimmer PG Released May 15, 1968 1h 34m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 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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The Swimmer

The Swimmer

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out A largely loony but oddly compulsive allegory. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Toni A This enigmatic film, like a moonlit waltz, unfolds at its own deliberate pace. While some may find it slow, the cacophony of noise heightens the tension, urging us to stay the course. By midtime, revelations turn the familiar chords into a haunting predictable melody, leaving us breathless long after the credits roll. Ultimately, it came across as a depressing story, but curiosity kept me tuned in. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/08/24 Full Review Steve D Shallow and extremely slow. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/17/24 Full Review Sebastyen D Film surprenant. Tu penses écouter un film léger avec une pointe d'humour, mais ça vire dark avec une fin qui te fait dire WTF ! 😂 Surprising film. You think you're watching a funny movie with a touch of comedy, but it turns dark with an ending that makes you go WTF! 😂 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/24/24 Full Review Alec B A fascinating amalgamation of seemingly disparate elements (the overwrought score, the surreal style, Lancaster's grounded performance) that nonetheless work together to create an entirely unique viewing experience. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/10/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Swimmer

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Cast & Crew

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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

Donald Westerhazy

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The Swimmer

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Movie Info

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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