David Lean's underrated masterpiece?

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Agree. Amazing film.


- No animal was hurt during the making of this burger -

It's alright, but I think the story unravelled in the second half and Todd seemed much too old for her character. Technically, though, the cinematography and direction were without peer; I loved the deep focus in particular, and the first half of the film seemed more like a noir film than a melodrama. It's in my bottom three Leans, which to be fair means it's still a good film.

Let us drink, gentlemen, till we roll under the table in vomit and oblivion!

Watching it again after several years - I'm not sure if it's a masterpiece, but it's definitely under-rated. Ann Todd is breathtakingly beautiful here, exquisitely lit and photographed by Guy Green. Ironically, though I've seen and enjoyed Lean's later epics, its his earlier, character-driven films such as this, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, BRIEF ENCOUNTER, and HOBSON'S CHOICE that I'm likely to re-watch more often - SUMMERTIME just makes it into this group as well, as I feel it's Lean's "transitional" film.

"In my case, self-absorption is completely justified."

I agree!! I loved this film! I am so glad i caught it when it recently aired. Excellent film. The costuming was stunning, the attention to details was awesome: the dancing scene in the country that flashed to the villagers dancing, the look on the fiance's face at trial when evidence was read from letters, the candle at the window, the cane at the window, the scene of her on the floor crying and you know what after.

I hadn't seen this movie for many years. I forgot how great is was. This movie has got what has to be one of the great defense lawyer summations in movie history. The acting and direction are superb. This qualifies as a Lean masterpiece imo. 10/10.

rexshard93 says > I think this movie is very underrated.

Underrated? Very much so. Masterpiece? No. IMO, the cinematography, alone, is excellent.