A Summer Story

This film, though little noticed by the general moviegoing public, is a beautifully photographed and acted masterpiece. It is a bittersweet tale of lost love, based on a short story ("The Apple Tree") by John Galsworthy. Most of the film, in writer Penelope Mortimer's skillful adaptation, is presented as a flashback -- sandwiched by an introduction and coda that are devastatingly poignant. Piers Haggard directs with a lighthanded touch that makes the characters seem utterly real. I cannot recommend this film too highly. Every time I view it, I am overwhelmed anew by its intense vision of human nature. A gem!

I am happy to know that I am not the only person this movie had a profound effect on. How can it be so good and yet so many people have no clue about it.

I saw it around the year it came out. I was living in Toronto and I can't remember whether or not it came to the theatres but late one night I looked at it on the movie Channel. I was bored and had nothing else to do. Fantastic movie, the ending was so sad.

For years I would recommend this film to friends and nobody would really know what I was talking about. For months after I had seen the film I would think about it and the way it ended.

I have never forgotten the name Imogen Stubbs. I looked out for her for years. I saw her in one film with Robert Duvall but nothing after that. I was always on the look out for her in the nineties. A few years ago I looked her up on the net and found out she had more or less married and settled down.

This movie and Imogen Stubbs had a profound effect on me. A great romantic tragedy that far too few people know about.

Veersen

I watch this gem about twice a year, when I feel like having a good cry. This film truly transports me to another time and place.

There are timeless morality issues dealt with in the story, and the unforgettable ending gives a person goose bumps. Seeing the film inspired me to read the story it's adapted from(The AppleTree.) There are some differences between the story and the film, of course, and the endings are somewhat different, although the overall idea is on the same wavelength. I feel the ending of the film is very,very strong and extremely suited to the film genre as compared to the written page.

The music is exquisite. Not only does it cast a beautiful spell from the very first note, but it remains in your mind long after the film is over.

A precious, precious film.

I found this film on ebay and was the only person who bid on it, many people are evidently missing out on never seeing this beautiful film. I wasn't sure what to expect cause I bought it on a whim because of the ratings it had gotten in some review books and because James Wilby is in it who I think is one of the most underrated actors alive. Imogen Stubbs is just wonderful, you really feel her pain. You also feel his - he lives his life regretting the choices he made and doesn't seem very happy. I don't want to give anything away but I can't recommend this film enough. It's beautifully directed, top notch acting, and for such a simple story it's amazingly effective. Anyone whose ever loved and lost will feel what the characters are feeling in this film! It will make you cry aswell, otherwise you don't have a heart. ;-)

If you are thinking of watching this movie, make sure you have a box of tissues ready - because unless you are emotionally constipated this film will make you cry. I watched it on my return from the hospital after giving birth to my daughter and I wept buckets. It is beautifully acted, particularly by Imogen Stubbs. I can't understand why we do not see more of this talented actress. The music by George Delerue matches and enhances the heart rending story, and sounds pretty darn good without the film, too. The story is about an upper class young man(James Wilby) who, whilst on a walking holiday, falls in love with a beautiful young farm girl. I really don't want to give any more of the plot away. I loved it. If you never enjoy romance, or poignant tales of lost chances and heartbreak, then you probably won't love it!