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      The Long, Hot Summer

      Released Apr 3, 1958 1 hr. 55 min. Drama List
      86% 21 Reviews Tomatometer 82% 5,000+ Ratings Audience Score 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). Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Sep 12 Buy Now

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      Audience Reviews

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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 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 matthew d A raucous and thoughtful drama on the value of life. Martin Ritt's Southern Gothic romance drama The Long, Hot Summer (1958) sizzles with the chemistry between real couple Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, who clearly liked each other while filming this searing adaptation of William Faulkner and Tennesse Williams. Ritt's direction is interesting as he focuses on the characters and wordy dialogue with clear direction. The strange story is pretty straightforward as a newcomer into town impresses the wealthy landowner who is looking for a husband for his unmarried daughter. It's in the expressive and emotional performances that Faulkner and Williams' writing starts to come alive. Ritt directed a hot and intriguing picture that leans heavily into its melodramatic core. Martin Ritt did a better job with Paul Newman later in 1963 with Hud, whose drama hits harder. Louis R. Loeffler's editing is my only real complaint as he rarely cuts quickly, giving you time with these characters, but too slow a pace can drag any film down. The Long, Hot Summer says it all with the warm atmosphere of Mississippi in the backdrop, while it was shot in Louisiana, with a pretty languid pace. It feels its 115 minute run-time. Joseph LaShelle has some wonderful close-ups and medium shots that let you in on how the characters feel and allows the actors to really play up their variety of emotional encounters. I liked LaShelle's wide shots of the countryside, but there's a bit too much of that to grip you in the talking. Alex North's score is nice, but should have been used more to quicken the pacing a bit. Adele Palmer came up with pretty pale blue dresses for Joanne Woodward, which are lovely. All of Palmer's suits and shirts for Paul Newman are striking. Ben Nye's make-up work makes all the girls beam with a translucent glow and effortless beauty. I did not care for his brown make-up all over Orson Welles' face to make him look more tanned. It's really distracting. Orson Welles gives a booming and boisterous performance as landowner Will Varner, but his gruff muttering makes certain words hard to decipher here. Paul Newman is fantastic as Ben Quick with his sharp tongue and clear blue eyes that portray a sinister side to Quick. He can give insults and orders just the same sly way he gives compliments. Joanne Woodward feels so modern and feminist as the single Clara Varner. She's hypnotic to watch give moving dramatic acting and playful comedic moments with equal grace. Lee Remick is gorgeous and fun as Clara's sister Eula Varner. Anthony Franciosa is interesting as Jody Varner when he's jealous or deranged, but he's outclassed in acting prowess by Paul Newman's sincere gravitas and sheer willpower. Newman's presence is felt with every word spoken and action taken, making Franciosa second rate by any measure. Angela Lansbury is funny and sweet as Minnie Littlejohn, but she has too few scenes alongside her love Orson Welles. Richard Anderson is so flat and forgettable as Alan Stewart. You cannot imagine the lovely and effervescent intellectual Joanne Woodward dating this ugly bore, especially compared to the delightful and charismatic Paul Newman. In short, The Long, Hot Summer is a fine melodrama, but the romance aspects between Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward shine brightest. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review steve d A great story helped along by fantastic performances. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review jim b WOW what a BORING movie. All that talent completely wasted. Wretched script. Newman's role is so stereotypical of many of his early works (most great), that HERE it becomes practically self-parody. Nothing really happens in this movie. Wells yells a lot - he just wants his name carried on with a grandchild one day, so he orders everyone about. Wells yells fiercely. Newman stands and plays "rebellious" and OF COURSE smarter, able to outwit anyone. (Man, this movie is a LONG WAY from classics like Cool Hand Luke or The Hustler - GREAT movies) (also The Verdict, is one of his very best) The whole thing was such a dire mess that I only watched it due to having rented it, but I should have gave up around 18 minutes in when I realized I was SO sorry I rented it. But I felt compelled to watch it, like I HAD to. I wound up looking at the clock more on THIS MOVIE than ANY OTHER I've ever seen. Boring as HELL. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      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

      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
      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
      Sound Mix
      Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
      Aspect Ratio
      Scope (2.35:1)
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