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Poster for The Long, Hot Summer

The Long, Hot Summer

Seen it?

1958 | 115 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes). 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 55 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1958: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Accused barn burner and conman Ben Quick arrives in a small Mississippi town and quickly ingratiates himself with its richest family, the Varners.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    86% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.0 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    Won 1 Cannes award: Cannes Film Festival: Best Actor. Won 1 DGA Award: Directors Guild of America: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures. Also nominated for 1 more Cannes award and 1 WGA Award.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $4 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 90K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Martin Ritt

  • Paul NewmanBen Quick
  • Joanne WoodwardClara Varner
  • Anthony FranciosaJody Varner
  • Orson WellesWill Varner
  • Lee RemickEula Varner
  • Angela LansburyMinnie Littlejohn
  • Richard AndersonAlan Stewart
  • Sarah MarshallAgnes Stewart
  • Mabel AlbertsonElizabeth Stewart
  • J. Pat O'MalleyRatliff