An American spinster's dream of romance finally becomes a bittersweet reality when she meets a handsome--but married--Italian man while vacationing in Venice.An American spinster's dream of romance finally becomes a bittersweet reality when she meets a handsome--but married--Italian man while vacationing in Venice.An American spinster's dream of romance finally becomes a bittersweet reality when she meets a handsome--but married--Italian man while vacationing in Venice.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 2 wins & 5 nominations total
David Lean
- Man at Café
- (unconfirmed)
- (uncredited)
Tanya Lopert
- Teenage Girl
- (uncredited)
André Morell
- Englishman
- (uncredited)
Angelo Puppin
- Man that falls into canal
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaKatharine Hepburn was more than impressed with her experience working with director Sir David Lean. She even asked to sit in on the editing sessions with him to watch him at work. In her autobiography, she wrote, "(Summertime) was told with great simplicity in the streets, in the Piazza San Marco. We would shoot in tiny streets only a few feet wide. The sun would come and go in a matter of minutes. It was a very emotional part, and I tell you I had to be on my toes to give David enough of what he wanted practically on call. But it was thrilling... He seemed to me to simply absorb Venice. It was his. He had a real photographic gift. He thought in a descriptive way. His shots tell the story. He was capable of a sort of super concentration. It made a very deep and definite impression on me, and he was one of the most interesting directors I ever worked with. Wasn't I lucky to work with him?"
- GoofsWhen Jane first enters her hotel room; there is a scenic shot of the lagoon including a ship and a motor boat passing a Cathedral. However in the close-up shot of Jane along with the lagoon; there are now no boats or ships on the water.
- Quotes
Renato de Rossi: You are like a hungry child who is given ravioli to eat. 'No' you say, 'I want beefsteak!' My dear girl, you are hungry. Eat the ravioli.
- Crazy creditsOpening credits are shown over various paintings, where the subjects are European scenes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Hollywood: The Great Stars (1963)
- SoundtracksSummertime In Venice
(uncredited)
English lyric by Carl Sigman
Italian Lyric by Pinchi
Music by Icini
Published by MCA Music, New York, NY
Featured review
Andante cantabile
The mood is leisurly, the pace deliberate, and the look of Venice is shimmering and magical. This "brief encounter" of an American spinster on vacation falling for a married, though separated, man is David Lean as his best. It is also one of Katherine Hepburn's lovely performances. Having read about production problems with this film, it became all the more remarkable to watch. To name a few, Hepburn suffered severe eye damage from her spill in the stagnant canal (in a remarkable shot without use of a double) and the stench from the waters aggravated ailments left over from her previous "African Queen." Also her private life during the filming mirrored the quiet desparation of the heroine, due to personal circumstances. Yet all of this is amazingly hidden through the skill of Director Lean and his camera crew. It's a Hepburn "spinster" role she played many times ("Alice Adams," "The Rainmaker") and no one could do it as convincingly. "Summertime" is a kind of film they don't make any more--and for good reason: they couldn't top it. Nor is there a "Hepburn" today able to carry a full production like this on her shoulders as effectively as this legendary actress.
helpful•4310
- harry-76
- Apr 4, 2000
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- David Lean's Production of Summertime
- Filming locations
- Campo San Barnaba, Venice, Veneto, Italy(Renato's shop; Jane falls in water)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1(original ratio)
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