The Long, Hot Summer (1958)

88% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(5,770 ratings)

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 several of Faulkner's short stories, is often regarded as one of the best films based on his work,… More 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 several 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 57 min.
Directed By: Martin Ritt
Written By: William Faulkner, Irving Ravetch, Frank Harriet,
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1958 Wide
On DVD: May 20, 2003
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
Newman's performance as Ben Quick, before the script blunts it, is as mean and keen as a cackle-edge scythe.
Variety Staff, Variety
This picture is strikingly directed by Martin Ritt.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
The Long, Hot Summer starts superbly and ends in a senseless, flabby heap.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
[An] uneasy blend of three Faulkner short stories.
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.
, 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.
, 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).
Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide
A trailer and a short documentary are included on the disc, as well as footage from the film's Louisiana world premiere.
Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide
The conclusion is surprising and quite exciting, as this self-contained little southern world unravels.
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 ótima fotografia.
, Film4
Newman, perfectly cast as the intruder, dominates the movie.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Reid V

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.
moon r

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… More
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 everything. 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.
Conner R

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… More
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 Williams. 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.
jay n

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.
Tim S

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… More
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 beautiful 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.
Saskia D

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… More
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 grumpy dad. I definitely want to see more of him.
Burger S

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.
Laura C

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.… More
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. 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!
Barry L

Very 'Cat on a hot tin roof' but a great movie if you like the type.