Three Oscar winners and one "shoulda won" star in this adaption of a hit Australian play that is the Australian equivalent to the British kitchen sink drama, as well as a bit of Inge, Williams (Tennessee that is), Albee and O'Neill, just to mention a few playwrights of the golden age of the theater. Ernest Borgnine and John Mills work in the sugar fields for the season, getting five months off the year as they spend the other seven with their girls. For Mills, it's disturbing to find out that his old girl is now married, so Borgnine's girl (Anne Baxter) brings in her pal Angela Lansbury instead. At first, Lansbury is rather frigid, but believing that Mills has proposed, begins to lighten up to him.
The summer they share together begins to swelter into the heat of bitterness and old resentments play out, resulting in the possibility that this might be the last summer. Great performances by the terrific ensemble, but like many film versions turns out to be a bit depressing. However, the character development of all four does allow their individual personalities to gradually be revealed. Of the supporting cast, Ethel Gabriel stands out as a sharp tongued landlady. Lansbury is quite unique in this, far from the shrewish fishwife she was typecast at the time. The highlights include the visit to a local fair and a boxing match with Borgnine believing that his competition needs the victory money for his ailing wife. Not something I'd call happy or peppy or even a summer overwhelmed with loads of fun, but as a film version of a serious play, much worth seeing.
The summer they share together begins to swelter into the heat of bitterness and old resentments play out, resulting in the possibility that this might be the last summer. Great performances by the terrific ensemble, but like many film versions turns out to be a bit depressing. However, the character development of all four does allow their individual personalities to gradually be revealed. Of the supporting cast, Ethel Gabriel stands out as a sharp tongued landlady. Lansbury is quite unique in this, far from the shrewish fishwife she was typecast at the time. The highlights include the visit to a local fair and a boxing match with Borgnine believing that his competition needs the victory money for his ailing wife. Not something I'd call happy or peppy or even a summer overwhelmed with loads of fun, but as a film version of a serious play, much worth seeing.