MovieChat Forums > Summer of '42 (1971) Discussion > Almost afraid to watch again

Almost afraid to watch again

posted 4 years ago by huwdj (4562)
10 replies | jump to latest

I loved this film when I saw it many many years ago. A song of the theme music just came on the radio to remind me how much but I'm wondering if I'd watch it again and run the risk of being disappointed.

[–] rudeboymurray (3241) 4 years ago

I last saw it probably ten years ago, having first seen it when I was quite young, and it held up pretty well... it’s beautifully shot and rather charming.

[–] Owlwise (1488) 4 years ago

I agree. If anything, I find it even more tender & moving from an adult's perspective than I did when I was close to Gary Grimes' age. I can appreciate the emotions involved with greater understanding now.

[–] strntz (10789) 4 years ago

Also agree. I was very young when I first saw this, and saw it from the perspective of a young man of 13 and found it profoundly moving.

The next time I saw this was about 10 years ago, and although I see it now as an adult married 40 years with kids, I'm still moved by the story and beautiful music and period locations.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

I was in the same position as you, Huwdj. I had very fond memories of the film from the first time I saw it, way back when. A lot of time had passed since then and I wondered if it would have the same effect on me, watching it today.

I regret to say, it didn't. While it did, once again, rekindle the nostalgic feeling of innocent boyhood, that feeling was somewhat spoiled this time around. This time, I saw the flaws in the plot and the acting, (Jerry Houser was execrable), and the lack of a valid point to the film. Afterwards, I looked at Roger Ebert's review, https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/summer-of-42-1971, and found that I had to agree with him.

I must say, however, that the chance to gaze again at the sublime Jennifer O'Neill more than recompensed me for my disappointment with the movie.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

With everybody stuck at home with nothing else to do but watch TV, may as well watch it again.

[–] huwdj (4562) 4 years ago

I've been watching a lot of old favorites during lock down and not watching a stack of newer but so far unviewed DVDs. I think it's a safe comfort viewing kind of thing.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

I'm thinking of getting this on blu-ray, since that's available from Warner Archive. Seeing Jennifer O'Neill in brilliant high definition would be absolutely stunning.

[–] modica (4169) 4 years ago

I am watching it on TCM right now. It is still as good as the first time I saw it. My mother was born in 1942 and it seems like it was a simpler time that I would have liked a lot.

[–] seagal72 (1824) 3 years ago

Haven't seen this movie since I was ten (I'm now 48) and like the OP, I too am scared to revisit this one (and a few other movies of it's timeframe)

Perhaps I'd actually like it more (with 'adult' eyes) or perhaps it's simplicity is what endeared me to it as a child?

A more recent movie (LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL) is another film I watched (and adored) upon release, but despite buying it on VHS, DVD and BLU-RAY since, I've only saw it the once (partly because it was initially heartbreaking, and also out of fear of not liking it upon a rewatch)

[–] liscarkat (16483) 9 months ago

I missed this movie when it was in theaters over half a century ago, and just saw it for the first time, on TCM. I was not disappointed. Since I've become burned out on comic book heroes and ideological agenda messages, I've been going back to the 1990s and earlier to watch movies I've missed, or to rewatch films I've only seen once and have forgotten. There's a big enough treasure trove of pre-superhero, pre-woke movies out there to keep me supplied for the rest of my life. I'm glad I watched "Summer of '42".