The Summer of Ben Tyler

Play trailer

1996

1h 37m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

Tomatometer

1 Reviews

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

At the onset of World War II, a Southern, white, small-town couple -- attorney Temple Rayburn (James Woods) and his loving wife, Celia (Elizabeth McGovern) -- decide to take in Ben Tyler (Charles Mattocks), the mentally challenged African-American son of their deceased housekeeper. This act of kindness is extremely controversial in their heavily segregated community, and before long the Rayburns find themselves caught in a whirlwind of political and moral issues.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

Depicts the challenges of a lawyer with principles and a belief that it is always important to do the right thing.

Aug 26, 2002

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

excelltnt and used for social justice classes and teens really liked and GOTTHE MESSAGE

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Arthur Allan Seidelman

Director

James Woods

Temple Rayburn

Elizabeth McGovern

Celia Rayburn

Len Cariou

Spencer Maitland

Charles Mattocks

Ben Tyler

Julia McIlvaine

Nell Rayburn

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

View more photos

Synopsis

Director: Arthur Allan Seidelman
Producer: Dan Witt
Screenwriter: Robert Inman
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 37m

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch!

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

Let's keep in touch!

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

The Summer of Ben Tyler

Critics Reviews

Audience Reviews

My Rating

Cast & Crew

Photos