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Poster for The End of Summer

The End of Summer

Seen it?

1961 | 103 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 43 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in Japanese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1961: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

The family of an older man who runs a small sake brewery become concerned with his finances and his health after they discover him visiting an old mistress from his youth.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.5 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 14K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Yasujirō Ozu

  • Ganjirō Nakamura IIKohayagawa Manbei
  • Setsuko HaraAkiko
  • Yōko TsukasaNoriko
  • Michiyo AratamaFumiko
  • Keiju KobayashiHisao
  • Masahiko ShimazuMasao
  • Hisaya MorishigeIsomura Eiichirou
  • Chieko NaniwaSasaki Tsune
  • Reiko DanYuriko
  • Haruko SugimuraKatou Shige