MovieChat Forums > Summertime (1955) Discussion > Am I really the first one...

Am I really the first one...

posted 20 years ago by BlueGreen
25 replies | jump to latest

... to write about this gorgeous Lean classic (or classic Lean, whatever)...? Can't believe it!
Please, people - come out, come out, wherever you are, and tell me you loved it, too. Or that you hated Katherine but loved Rossano - or viceversa. Whatever...!
I loved them both; but most of all I loved the way Venice was photographed. Lean loved Venice. I mean really LOVED it (like I do). And in this film, it shows. The city is photographed with such non-touristy love that certain shots bring tears to my eyes, because they are so similar to my own intimate experience of Venice.
And the plot is not at all "naive", as one would expect from a 50s film. But then, Lean never was naive...

[–] Welshrabbit4 20 years ago

to have found this film absolutely the best of a very (very) good collection from Katharine Hepburn. I discovered it about 30 years ago - I now have over 30 Hepburn films on DVD (and the rest on video) but this is the one I return to again and again. I took a trip to Venice this summer and it turned into a bit of a pilgrimage, finding locations astonishingly still recognisable after nearly 50 years. I tried to match my photographs with familiar scenes and, yes, I managed to find a large red goblet to bring home!

This film is the ideal combination of beautiful location, classic story and perfect acting. I am so thankful nobody has ever tried to remake it - it couldn't be bettered. All that and sunshine too ...

[–] BlueGreen 20 years ago

You're joking: even the red goblet..? Now that's a true fan! :)

I think - and I know that I am not alone in this - that one of the reasons why this film works so well is Lean's obvious love for Venice. Not Venice from the postcards, but Venice as it really is.
Anyone who has ever loved Venice and left it by train, will identify with that intimate, heart-breaking moment in the very last scene, when the departing train, leaving behind Venice and all it meant (to her, to me, to you), becomes through the eyes of the camera just one more anonymous train speeding over the laguna, with so many memories aboard.
I remember once reading in a book: "Thank God for Venice! There, time stands still, and we are made to feel that everything that once was, can be again."

[–] tmo1909 18 years ago

Whaddya mean joking about the red goblet? I wish I could find a pair of those beautiful shoes she bought!!!

[–] BlueGreen 16 years ago

Whaddya mean joking about the red goblet? I wish I could find a pair of those beautiful shoes she bought!!!

LOL

Give them time - I am sure they are about to make a comeback...! :)

P.S. Yes, I know it's been a loooong time.
But hey, Venice is old, and this film is no spring chicken either - and yet we still talk about them... ;)

[–] cjb234 20 years ago

me too.

a beautiful film of a truly beautiful city.

of course, the beauty of venice is also is tragedy.

perhaps you have seen Visconti's 'Death in Venice' - many people criticise it for beign one of the most most over-rated films, with a ridiculous plot. i do not, nor can i find fault with Visconti's cinemaphotography.

and whenever I travel to Venice, I have mahler's adagio in my head, with tears in my eyes.

I especially love the early morning shots (which is when most of the shooting had to take place) of St marks square.

http://members.tripod.com/Barry_Stone/death_in_venice.htm

Or what about 'Don't Look Know'.

Off the track a little bit, but assuming that italy and not venice, can also feel intoxicating, Wim Wenders, 'Beyond the Clouds', with John malkovich, Sophie marceau and others, a series of 4 unrequited love stories, the first one opening set in the mist shrouded river po plains - i think ferrara, and another in Portofino, in Liguria.

And of course 'The talented mr riplely', by the suberb Minghella, (The english patient). partly shot on the island of ischia, which is where I lived for half a year. too beautiful

[–] BlueGreen 19 years ago

Visconti's "Death in Venice" is AWESOME.
And yes, every time I hear that particular piece of Mahler's music, Venice appears out of the mists of my memory.

Wonderful, wonderful film!
Thank you for appreciating it. (So many don't.)

[–] csu16387 19 years ago

I rented this film and since it's raining today, I decided to watch it. Summertime is a wonderful film. Gorgeous photography, a brilliant and touching performance from Katharine Hepburn, and one of David Lean's best works. There's a review I read that describes Summertime as a "heartsick movie about missed opportunity." The finale is very memorable and isn't a typical happy ending. I also rented Brief Encounter and some reviews have said that it is Lean's masterpiece. The Bridge on the River Kwai is my favorite David Lean film to date, but I love all of his movies.

"Dry your eyes baby, it's out of character."

[–] Sunnyday7 19 years ago

Wonderful film featuring a bravura performance by Katharine Hepburn. Showcases superb direction and photography that ravishes the eye. Captures the most beautiful and romantic city in the world, Venice. Also includes a musical theme that insinuates itself into your brain and heart. I saw this film in 1959 and fell in love with Kate and Venice. Visited Venice twice and found it virtually as it was when the film was made in 1955 which, of course, is the secret of Venice, the people change but Serenissima remains the same. And Katharine Hepburn will always be my role model and favorite actor. This is a magical film wherein everything was done to perfection.

[–] juniper30 19 years ago

A superb movie, beautiful location & well acted by both leads. Also remembered the lovely piece of music. Was really funny when Hepburn was taking pictures & fell into the canal, though read that the water caused damage to her eyes after.

[–] BlueGreen 19 years ago

Oh yes... the infamous eye infection. But I don't think Kate complained too much about it. There are much worse "mementos" to bring home from a trip. -:)

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[–] diamondgroup 19 years ago

Watch Hepburn's face as she sits alone in the Piazza, watching everybody else have fun as couples or with their families. It's heart breaking and proves what a great actress she was. The best actors, Ronald Coleman and Gary Cooper are good examples, could do great scenes with their eyes. She does that here.

[–] gaelicguy 19 years ago

Reading everyone's comments and nodding my head in absolute agreement. This is truly one of Hepburn's very best roles and she gives a marvelous performance.

I love the use of the gardenia as a metaphor. Something that was denied to her for her entire life, is lost and not retrieved, not even at the profoundly poignant ending of the film. And Brazzi is at his best. A man just as lonely, in his way, as Jane Hudson is.

Lean's direction is among his finest and the shots of Venice are stunning. Great story, beautiful locale and fine acting-- nothing more to say. I fear this film doesn't get the recognition it deserves here because it's considered a British film. I will never tire of the film and wish Hepburn had won a much-deserved Oscar. I am glad, at the very least, that she was nominated.

Don't you snap your finger at ME, lady.

[–] js1artglam 18 years ago

Hey ! I 'm glad you noticed that - and how about the scene a bit later when she pretends that someone is at the table with her so nobody will think that she's alone - then Rossano Brazzi walks over, says hello, sees the tilted chair and, thinking she is with someone, walks away! The look in her eyes and that INCREDIBLE pull away Lean does with the camera! STUNNING!!

[–] diamondgroup 18 years ago

That whole film (including that great bit that you just mentioned)creates such a magnificent atmosphere. It really captures a time, and especially a place, better thna any movie I can remember. Lean was a genius with his camera work, and this is the most under-rated of all of his films.

"Richard's in good hands, Robin. The best in England."

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] overseer-3 18 years ago

Vote for Summertime as David Lean's best picture.

http://goldensilents.proboards46.com/index.cgi?board=pollstalk&action=display&thread=1144481762&page=1

[–] anniebel 18 years ago

Hepburn's portrayal is mesmerising. You just feel all her emotions with her. A wonderful film.

[–] kathryn49 18 years ago

the story is pretty much a cliche, but it's portrayed so beautifully that not even i mind when i see it. and i'd watch it just for the beautiful scenes of venice.

i once fought an elephant in my pajamas, how it got in my pajamas i don't know.