Summertime - Katharine Hepburn, Rossano Brazzi [1955] All Region

Born in 1953, I must admit that this movie is, to me, more than just a movie. It's also a historical document of a moment In our history and mentality, both USA and Italy, that have evolved. In the film, too, we see the triumph of the MADE IN ITALY: the Murano glass, Italian shoes, Italian fashion, the traditional coffee bars... Now we have the MADE IN CHINA. Americans in Italy is a subject of many movies - American and Italian productions, especially in the post W.W.2 period, 1955 to early 60s. And SUMMERTIME is just one great example. The scenes are so real that the viewer is drawn into the picture and shares with Jane/Kathe the narrow streets, the canals, the pensione (family-run guest house) where she's staying. Admirably, too, Jane speaks what little Italian she can grasp with the joy of being part of what this city has to offer and wishing to make herself understood; she smiles, weps, enthuses over everything new to her and beautiful: ART, the architecture, the gondolas, capturing the details with her movie camera. BUT has she forgotten anything? She hasn't, she has just suppressed it: the greatest of the emotions that Venice, the summer and the "beau" - actor Rossano Brazzi - aptly and gently can bring out in her: LOVE! And gradually the stiff, American New Englander softens, melts, hugs and kisses. And she goes back to America a new Jane who knows passion and romance. Venice provided the right background for her QUEST. Also stunningly colourful is the final train station scene - similar to and typical of many endings in other Italian movies of the same period: the sultry heat wraps the arrivals/departures, the good-byes, smiles, weeping, last kisses and souvenirs.I bought the cheapest dvd on offer, excellent viewing, but I'm considering buying the BD. A film that is an experience and Katharine Hepburn is just GREAT.

Arrived promptly, good quality dvd, beautiful film.

I first saw this film many years ago when I was a teenager, I fell in love with the film and I believe also with Rossano Brazzi! I seem to remember it was originally called "Summer Vacation". I was thrilled when I discovered it was available as a DVD. This is pure romance, set in the wonderful location of Venice, beautiful scenery, and lovely background music. Katherine and Rossano act the parts wonderfully. She is the spinster on her first European holiday, attempting to hide her loneliness, in a city meant for lovers. A small Venetian urchin provides the humour as he follows the rich American around, then she meets Brazzi the owner of an antique shop, who manages to overcome her shyness and sees her vulnerability, and they fall in love. A smashing film to be enjoyed on a rainy Sunday afternoon!

After doing "Pat and Mike" in 1952 with Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn left MGM when her contract ended and starred in the first major production of George Bernard Shaw's "The Millionairess" in London. It was not until 1955 that David Lean persuaded Hepburn to return to films, bringing her to Venice to star in this bitter-sweet love story about a lonely American school teacher and spinster, Jane Hudson, who takes a once in a lifetime vacation to Europe where she meets Renato Di Rossi (Rossano Brazzi), the charming owner of an antique shop. Based on the Arthur Laurents' play "The Time of the Cuckoo," this film creates not only the first but also certainly the most realistic of Hepburn's celebrated spinster roles. Unlike her Oscar nominated performances as spinsters who find love in "The African Queen" and "The Rainmaker," the story of Jane Hudson does not have as many comic moments, although her celebrated fall in the canals of Venice, which ruined her eyes for the rest of her life, is one of those standout moments in Hepburn's career. Because it is more realistic there is more of an element to tragedy to this story than any other of her similar roles. Although Jane falls in love for the first time in her life, there is no hope for a future with Rentao who is married and has a grown son. This is made all the more poignant by Jane's relationship with the cute street urchin Mario (Gaitano Audiero) who becomes her guide through Venice. Together, these symbolic husband and son figures help to bring Jane out of her shell and in the end we know she is a better person for the experience, as painful as it might be. True, this is an old story, but "Summertime" carries it off with a level of technical proficiency and artistic effort way above the norm.At first consideration you would not think of "Summertime" as being a traditional sort of David Lean film since it is not the type of cinematic epic you associate with the director. But when you see the way the sights of Venice are photographed you know this is the same eye that captured the jungles of southeast Asia, the deserts of Arabia and the winter wonderland of Russia (although credit also has to be given to cinematographer Jack Hildyard). If you will never make it to Venice, this is the film that will bring it alive for you. For 1955 this is a remarkably adult film, which just reaffirms the importance of Broadway dramas in changing the nature of Hollywood. Just in terms of Hepburn's career you can readily see that most of her adult theme films were all originally presented on Broadway (e.g., "Suddenly Last Summer," "Long Day's Journey Into Night," "The Lion in Winter"). However, do not ask me to explain how the actress went from this film to making "The Iron Petticoat" with Bob Hope. But even that legendary debacle (the one Hepburn film I have never seen) did not detract from the importance of "Summertime" in reestablishing her film career as an independent actress. Beginning with this film, Hepburn had a streak of eight films in which she received six Oscar nominations and won her second and third awards. At MGM she had been a dramatic comedienne but during this independent stage of her career she did her far and way best work as a tragic actress.

Previously difficult to find this movie. I have always enjoyed it and the DVD was exactly what I hoped for.

5 rating.Pure entertainment.

Il fut un temps, avant Laurence d'Arabie et Le Docteur Jivago où David Lean réalisait des films moins ambitieux, plus simples, et cette magnifique histoire vénitienne de voyage et d'amour est l'un d'entre eux--le dernier, en fait, avant que la veine épique ne s'empare de David Lean avec Le Pont de la Rivière Kwai, Oscar 1957. "Parfois je pense qu'un emploi du temps à Venise est, ma foi, hors de propos," fait remarquer une touriste émerveillée à la célibataire en vacances incarnée par Katharine Hepburn au début de Summertime, qui est basé sur la pièce d'Arthur Laurents The Time of the Cuckoo. Avant la fin du film, cependant, Jane aura jeté ses idées romantiques au canal et embarqué dans une aventure passionnée avec un marchant d'art marié. Moins sombre que celle du film Brève Rencontre 10 ans plus tôt, mais non dénuée de culpabilité ou de souffrance, cette histoire d'amour étonnamment simple est un regard souvent fascinant jeté sur une époque où la révolution sexuelle pour les Américaines --et en particulier celles ayant atteint la trentaine--se bornait à de brèves idylles européennes. De plus, entourés par toute l'architecture, l'art, la conversation italienne, la musique, et la bonne cuisine (tout cela richement photographié en décors naturels par Jack Hildyard), qui se plaindra d'une nuit d'amour entre une femme réprimée et un tenant de l'amour libre? Les deux acteurs principaux sont pleins de grâce et d'élégance dans leurs mouvements et leurs dialogues. La révolte initiale d'Hepburn à l'idée que l'adultère fasse partie de cet environnement impossiblement beau peut paraître surranée, mais cette actrice oscarisée sait à merveille suggérer la crainte poignante et profonde que son personnage éprouve de dévoiler ses émotions à quiconque. Finalement Summertime est l'équivalent cinématographique d'un profond et réconfortant soupir de regret.

Shipped quickly, and packaged well so it arrived in great shape. Love the movie. A happy customer!

Summertime (1955) is one of those classic movies that makes you want to visit Venice, sit in the Piazza San Marco with a cold drink, see all the sights, and soak in the vibrant night life. Katharine Hepburn (Jane Hudson) is totally convincing as the spinster from the States on the vacation she's saved up for over many years, hoping to inject some excitement and romance into her life. Rossano Brazzi is the handsome antique shop owner, Renato de Rossi, separated from his wife, lonely, and totally charmed by the lovely lady who enters his shop looking for a pair of beautiful red glass goblets.Filmed by David Lean (Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, Ryan's Daughter, among others), we see his trademark sweeping vistas and, especially, the intense bustle of the midday arrival in Venice with all the traffic on the canal and the jumble of luggage (complete with travel stickers), contrasted with the softer, cooler, and slower evening scenes as Jane first settles in to her 'pensione', and the lovers meet and begin a tentative relationship with all the complications of a different language, culture, and expectations.Young Gaetano Autiero who plays Jane's guide, Mauro, is perfectly delightful as the street-smart hawker always trying to sell her souvenirs (some of which are totally inappropriate), and ends by giving her a gift at the train station when she's finally tearing herself away from Venice to return to what we believe to be a mundane, lonely existence. It is Mauro who catches the ever-present movie camera when Jane tumbles backwards into the canal while filming the front of Renato's store, and Mauro who catches her changing moods.Hepburn didn't use a double for her canal stunt and paid the price with a dreadful eye infection that plagued her for many years, eventually requiring radical treatment. Thanks to great filming by Lean, we are totally unaware of this while watching the movie and Hepburn gives her characteristically stunning performance. Also, fine acting by Mari Alden and Darren McGavin as the American couple who have settled in Venice, and by MacDonald Parke and Jane Rose as the rather obnoxious American couple who are doing Europe by timetable, unintentionally offending people everywhere as they bumble along.This is a great movie you can enjoy over and over, especially if you're a Hepburn fan, but even if you're not.