Summertime (1955)

93% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(3,524 ratings)

Katharine Hepburn stars as Jane Hudson, an Ohio secretary on the verge of spinsterhood. Carefully saving her money, Jane takes an extended trip to Venice, half hoping to find the romance that has always eluded her. Luck of luck, she meets handsome Renato Di Rossi (Rossano Brazzi), who sweeps her off… More Katharine Hepburn stars as Jane Hudson, an Ohio secretary on the verge of spinsterhood. Carefully saving her money, Jane takes an extended trip to Venice, half hoping to find the romance that has always eluded her. Luck of luck, she meets handsome Renato Di Rossi (Rossano Brazzi), who sweeps her off her feet. Jane's flight on Cloud Nine comes to a flaming crash when she learns that Renato is married and the father of a large family. Picking herself up and dusting herself off, Jane is determined to keep her romance alive, and hang the consequences. She ultimately does what's best for everyone, and heads back to Ohio, wistfully clutching to the memory of the happiest summer of life. Gorgeously color-photographed on location by Jack Hildyard, Summertime was an adaptation of (and vast improvement upon) Arthur Laurents' play The Time of the Cuckoo. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: David Lean
Written By: H.E. Bates, Arthur Laurents
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 21, 1955 Limited
On DVD: Sep 9, 1998
Studio: United Artists

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
The film stacks up as promising entertainment -- with some reservations.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
The challenge thus set of making Venice the moving force in propelling the play has been met by Mr. Lean as the director with magnificent feeling and skill.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Recommended, with hesitations.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's beautiful to look at, the acting is superb and it has its poignant moments.
Philip French, Observer [UK]
It turned Lean from a subtle, very English director into an international film-maker working in broad strokes.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
The dialogue can be stagey and Venice is evoked at a tourist level, but it's beautifully photographed and Hepburn's loneliness and sadness look disquietingly real.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Touching, warm, often funny and lushly photographed.
Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
Romantic drama with Hepburn in good form.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
David Lean's restrained direction, Katharine Hepburn's nuanced turn as a spinsterish middle-aged secretary, and above all Venice's alluring sights compensate considerably for a plot that's borderline banal and schmaltzy.
, Time Out
[Features] lovely performance from Hepburn at its centre.
Ian Nathan, Empire Magazine
Being Lean's favourite of his films this is undoubtedly worthy of attention.
Jamie Russell, BBC
Thanks to Hepburn's performance we can feel how this woman's past romantic disappointments have made a passionate affair seem so simultaneously appealing and frightening.
Moira Sullivan, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
Summertime was shot exclusively in Venice. And for those who have been to Venice, the film is a rare treasure;
Laura Bushell, Film4
As a coming-of-age story it remains touching. As a showcase for Katharine Hepburn, it is superb.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony V

On the surface this is a romance with old maid Katharine Hepburn falling in love in Venice with a few twists and turns, however, under the superb direction of David Lean, the city of Venice actually becomes a character in the film. The exquisite cinematography makes you feel as if… More
On the surface this is a romance with old maid Katharine Hepburn falling in love in Venice with a few twists and turns, however, under the superb direction of David Lean, the city of Venice actually becomes a character in the film. The exquisite cinematography makes you feel as if you have actually visited the city. A wonderful film going experience. A big screen delight.