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The Long, Hot Summer

Play trailer Poster for The Long, Hot Summer 1958 1h 55m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Handsome vagabond Ben Quick (Paul Newman) returns to the Mississippi town his late father called home, but rumors of his dad's pyromaniac tendencies follow him as soon as he sets foot there. The proud young man's determination eventually wins over civic leader Will Varner (Orson Welles), who decides Ben might be just the man for his daughter, Clara (Joanne Woodward) -- much to the displeasure of Will's gutless son (Anthony Franciosa) and Clara's society boyfriend (Richard Anderson).
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The Long, Hot Summer

Critics Reviews

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TIME Magazine Oct 1, 2008
Newman's performance as Ben Quick, before the script blunts it, is as mean and keen as a cackle-edge scythe. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Jan 7, 2008
This picture is strikingly directed by Martin Ritt. Go to Full Review Time Out Jun 24, 2006
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). Go to Full Review Marshall Scott Cosmopolitan Jan 25, 2022
An excellent cast gives an exceptional performance under Martin Ritt's skilled direction. Go to Full Review Jean-Luc Godard Cahiers du Cinéma Nov 3, 2021
To be nice, let's just say simply that Ritt is perhaps not a common hack but an honest gaffer (even then, there are better). Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Oct 11, 2021
3/4
Martin Ritt directs a first-rate cast in this adaptation of several stories by William Faulkner. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad 4 days ago The Long, Hot Summer is a 4.5 star Movie! See more Henry D @Henry_Domke Sep 10, 2026 Wonderful dialogue and powerful acting make this classic Southern melodrama a pleasure. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward are especially good together. For me, the main thing holding it back was that the melodrama occasionally became a little too thick. The Criterion print was decent, but not nearly as good as the best restorations of films from this period. One nit-picky distraction was Welles’s makeup. His tan and gray hair looked obviously artificial, especially on our large screen. See more Diane S @MommA1920 Jul 11, 2026 My most favorite movie. This amazing cast will touch every South emotion you ever had. Paul Newman & Joanne Woodard along with Orson Wells what a match. You will love this movie set in the South dripping with secrets . See more Gus M @RT12715507 Aug 18, 2025 Quality drama. Really good performances. Feels like a play or a book but transfers well onto film. Welles is impressive as Newman is mesmerising . I thoroughly enjoyed it. See more William R. P @Ogn_Dulk Mar 20, 2024 Stagey. Should be seen live in a theater, but they put it on film See more Sep 29, 2023 Really good movie right here highly recommend it James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas September 27, 2023 See more Read all reviews
The Long, Hot Summer

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Cast & Crew

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Martin Ritt

Director

Paul Newman

Ben Quick

Joanne Woodward

Clara Varner

Anthony Franciosa

Jody Varner

Orson Welles

Will Varner

Lee Remick

Eula Varner

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The Long, Hot Summer

The Long, Hot Summer (1958) The Long, Hot Summer (1958) The Long, Hot Summer (1958) The Long, Hot Summer (1958) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Handsome vagabond Ben Quick (Paul Newman) returns to the Mississippi town his late father called home, but rumors of his dad's pyromaniac tendencies follow him as soon as he sets foot there. The proud young man's determination eventually wins over civic leader Will Varner (Orson Welles), who decides Ben might be just the man for his daughter, Clara (Joanne Woodward) -- much to the displeasure of Will's gutless son (Anthony Franciosa) and Clara's society boyfriend (Richard Anderson).
Director
Martin Ritt
Producer
Jerry Wald
Screenwriter
William Faulkner, Irving Ravetch, Harriet Frank Jr.
Distributor
20th Century Fox, Columbia TriStar Home Video
Production Co
Jerry Wald Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 3, 1958, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 11, 2010
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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