Viewed on DVD. Restoration = ten (10) stars. The many similarities (repeatedly deployed in most of the director's prior films) presented yet again in this movie may have provided a sense of stability for audiences confronting dynamic societal changes in the 1960's. All the actors you have seen (or will see) again and again as the director continued to turn out a DE FACTO TV series consisting of about one episode/movie per season/year. The producers and director seem to be counting on the viewer's curiosity as to what these fine and well-known actors are now up to for generating box-office traffic. If the film had been cast with relative unknowns, it would likely have tanked (or never been made). With so many characters crammed into this movie (it may have set a record at the time for the number of cameo appearances), it is a bit of a mystery as to who is related to whom and in what way in an expanded family consisting of 3/4 generations. Not until close to the end can the viewer be absolutely certain. The usual "back acting" (i.e., scenes filmed of the actor's back instead of from the front) frequently occurs. Train whistles are patently phony: electric-powered trains are made to sound like steam engines (the trains are never seen). Many exterior shots (or variations thereof) you have seen (and/or will see again) in other films from this director. The same interior sets from many of the director's previous movies are used once more. Cinematography (color) is fine (but the narrow-screen aspect ratio is still used). Some editing cuts are a bit jagged. Dialog, for the most part, is understandable. Subtitles sometimes flash by too quickly and can be too long. Film score blends in nicely except for the chanting prior to and during the death scenes which seems overdone. Familiarity may have bred comfort 55 years ago, but today it borders on boredom. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.
Review of The End of Summer
