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Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Anthony Franciosa, Orson Welles, Lee Remick ... see more see more... , Angela Lansbury , Richard Anderson , Sarah Marshall , Mabel Albertson , William Walker , George Dunn , Jess Kirkpatrick , Val Avery , I. Stanford Jolley , Nicholas T. King , Lee Erickson , Ralph Reed , Jim Brandt , Helen Wallace , Brian Corcoran , Eugene Jackson , Byron Foulger , J. Pat O'Malley , Terry Rangno

While often regarded as one of America's greatest novelists, William Faulkner produced work that did not always translate well to the screen; it's ironically appropriate that this movie, based on seve... read more read more...ral of Faulkner's short stories, is often regarded as one of the best films based on his work, though not especially accurate to the original source material. Ben Quick (Paul Newman), a sullen but self-confident drifter, arrives in a small Mississippi town where his father had a bad reputation as a firebug. Will Varner (Orson Welles), the town's patriarch, still holds a grudge against Quick's dad, and when the young man decides to stay in town and sharecrop on Varner's land, Will goes out of his way to make his life difficult. However, Will develops a grudging respect for Quick's guts and determination, and he wishes that his weak-willed son Jody (Anthony Franciosa) could be more like him; Jody's wife Eula (Lee Remick) happens to agree. In time, Will gets the idea that Quick might be a good match for his daughter Clara (Joanne Woodward) and a better choice to take over his business dealings than Jody. However, neither Clara nor Quick care to be told what to do, and besides, Clara already has a beau -- though Alan Stewart (Richard Anderson) is even more of a milquetoast than Jody and is led by the nose by his mother (Mabel Albertson). However, sparks begin to fly between Clara and Quick, and when Jody fears he may lose his place as heir of Will's estate, he takes drastic action, trapping his father in a barn, setting it on fire, and planting evidence that would suggest that the blaze was Quick's doing. The Long, Hot Summer was the first film that Newman and Woodward made together, and they got married the same year. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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83% liked it

5,760 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

16 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 57 min.

Directed by: Martin Ritt

Release Date: January 1, 1958

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DVD Release Date: May 20, 2003

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Stats: 303 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (303)

  • axadntpron
    May 7, 2012
    axadntpron
    Was hoping for the same magic that Ritt and Newman conjured up with the absolutely stellar "Hud." Instead, I got a fairly dry love story and a couple hours of Orson Welles mercilessly chewing the scenery.
  • moonrivers
    August 21, 2011
    moonrivers
    A small town down south in Mississippi and a bit o'nothing of a man runs into a bit o'nothing of a family, newly well to do: can they rise above their collective class status (redneck) and not kill each other, even learn to love one another? But now I've gone and given away ever... read moreything.
    The traveling loner looking for a break is Newman, Big Daddy is Welles (chewing everything in sight), while Woodward, Remick and Lansbury perfect their sugary eye flutters. Fans of the stars will enjoy.
  • ythelastman89
    March 7, 2011
    ythelastman89
    It's funny that this is an adaptation of William Faulkner because it feels way more like a Tennessee Williams adaptation with all of the same quirks and characters. However, there is considerably less drinking in this so it definitely can't be something connected to Tennessee Wil... read moreliams. There is so much color in this that it is almost hard to fathom at times, being reminiscent of Gone with the Wind in that respect. Paul Newman conquers the screen as Ben Quick. Theoretically you should hate him and what he stands for, but Paul Newman plays him so charming and flawless that you end up loving the guy. Joanne Woodward also gives a great performance and it's one of her best characters next to Carol in The Fugitive Kind. I think everyone can acknowledge that Orson Welles hammed his character up to no end, but failed to steal the show.
  • jjnxn
    November 29, 2009
    jjnxn
    Fun, old fashioned drama with humorous overtones. Orson Welles consumes the screen whenever he appears but the able cast pushes back and manages to hold their quarter. A good way to spend a couple of hours.
  • tsigur
    September 26, 2009
    tsigur
    OK film that is brought to another level by it's extremely talented cast. First, you have Paul Newman who is his usual, cool self. Then there is the added bonus of watching Orson Welles chewing scenery and having a ball in a way over the top performance. Not to mention the beauti... read moreful Joanne Woodward and Lee Remick (she was gorgeous) to look at and also Angela Lansbury is a small, but fitting role. The problems I had with the film is that the father (Welles) and son (a good Anthony Franciosa) who hate each other make up way too quickly and for the dumbest reason of all time. It also drags during the middle ensuring to pop every Southern stereotype wherever it can. It's like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof light. On the shots that weren't shot on a soundstage (surprising how many of there were with terrible backdrops), it looks gorgeous.
  • Saxia
    December 30, 2008
    Saxia
    I can't say anything constructive about this movie without mentioning Newman's Long, Hot.. looks. It could have been a little more steamy as far as I'm concerned, as the title suggests.

    But I have to add that Orson Welles (what a beautiful name) was great in his role as big grum... read morepy dad. I definitely want to see more of him.
  • burgerstar
    July 10, 2011
    burgerstar
    This was very similiar to Cat on A Hot Tin Roof. Rich Southerners and their bruised egos about whether or not Big Daddy loves them.
  • streamofconsciousness
    May 22, 2010
    streamofconsciousness
    I really enjoyed this film for many reasons. First of all Paul Newman is well cast in this very sensual film.
    The chemistry between Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward is amazing! It's the first film they made together and were married in real life the same year the film was made. ... read more
    Joanne's character Clara is beautiful, smart, cool yet vulnerable. Newman's character Ben Quick is blunt, overtly sexual and the perfect catalyst. Sparks fly when Ben and Clara meet and continue as he becomes emmeshed with the rest of the Verner family.
    The head of the family Will Verner is played by the larger-than-life Orson Welles. There's some interesting gossip included on the special features. It is revealed that the director panicked during the editing process when he realized that Welles' lines were barely discernable! It doesn't seem that this problem was entirely resolved.
    Regardless, Welles portrayal of a Southern patriarchal, domineering father who seems more concerned about a future heir than his daughter's happiness is moving as he inches his way into the hearts of the audience, or at least that was true in my case!
  • DrLappos
    August 27, 2007
    DrLappos
    Very 'Cat on a hot tin roof' but a great movie if you like the type.
  • HappyFenton
    March 2, 2010
    HappyFenton
    A smouldering classic brimming with unabashed sensuality, witty dialogue, and sizzling chemistry. Woodward and Newman's personal, conspicious connection and their undeniable sensuality propels this amalgam of Faulkner short stories to legendary status. An all-star cast, a memor... read moreable script, and first-rate direction make this one a must see! This one will have your pulse racing and your temperature soaring.

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Critic Reviews

October 1, 2008
TIME Magazine

Newman's performance as Ben Quick, before the script blunts it, is as mean and keen as a cackle-edge scythe. Full Review

Variety Staff
January 7, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

This picture is strikingly directed by Martin Ritt. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
March 25, 2006
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

The Long, Hot Summer starts superbly and ends in a senseless, flabby heap. Full Review

Dave Kehr
July 4, 2003
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

[An] uneasy blend of three Faulkner short stories. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 2, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

This small-town family melodrama, a quintessential 1950s film in its themes and tensions, is well acted by Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Lee Remick. Full Review

January 7, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Director Martin Ritt and writers Harriet Frank, Jr. and Irving Ravetch opted for a less-than-faithful adaptation of the author's work, and the results were excellent. Full Review

June 24, 2006
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). Full Review

Jamie Gillies
March 1, 2004
Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide

The conclusion is surprising and quite exciting, as this self-contained little southern world unravels. Full Review

Pablo Villaca
September 8, 2003
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena

O belo roteiro, escrito a partir de histórias de William Faulkner, ganha ainda mais dimensão graças às performances de Newman, Woodward e Welles - além, é claro, da direção segura de Martin Ritt e da ...

July 4, 2003
Film4

Newman, perfectly cast as the intruder, dominates the movie. Full Review

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  • Who was suspected of setting a barn on fire in the beginning of The Long Hot Summer ?  Answer »
  • What did Ben have that got into a mans corn in The Long Hot Summer ?  Answer »
  • Who runs the town that Ben stops at in The Long Hot Summer ?  Answer »
  • Where does Ben stop to see about work in The Long Hot Summer ?  Answer »
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