Out of all of the films that director David Lean made during his legendary career, he admits himself that Summertime is his favorite. Not Dr. Zhivago. Not The Bridge on the River Kwai. Not Lawrence of Arabia. But Summertime, starring fellow film legend Katharine Hepburn, is the film that Lean says he put more of himself in than any other film he made. And while watching the film, this sentiment is abundantly clear.

Setting out on her first trip to Venice, Jane Hudson (Hepburn), soaks in the sights of the dream-like city full of romance and beauty. Being a single, middle-age “fancy secretary” from the Midwest, Jane appears more than independent as she captures the stunning architecture and statues on her trustee camera. She makes nice acquaintances with other couples on vacation and is more than happy to be there, even if she did come by herself. But the constant exposure to couples enjoying their own once-in-a-lifetime trip together only further reminds Jane of her loneliness, whether she wants to admit it or not. Determined to make the most out of her vacation, Jane continues to see the sights, filming it all, and of course see what the quant shops have to offer as souvenirs. Upon seeing a beautiful red goblet in a store window, Jane goes into buy it and ends up meeting the charming and handsome store-owner, Renato de Rossi (Rossano Brazzi). With Jane being harshly reluctant in pursuing this ephemeral affair, it seems the romance is destined to be anything but magical, despite the beautiful setting. However, once Renato convinces Jane to simply let go and face her fears, then she can experience the dream for what it is and stop hiding behind her camera.

Though perhaps the cliché of romances that Jane and Renato fall into are a bit outdated, the story itself is very vulnerable and touching. Loneliness, though universal, is not something that is easily portrayed in film. Summertime shows Jane being physically alone, yes, but it also takes the time to show how embarrassing and debilitating that feeling can be. Hepburn’s embodiment of the internally conflicted Jane is a powerful and moving performance. Jane’s independence is something to admire, but it can only get her so far. Venice is lovely and all, but not being able to share it with someone makes the trip somehow less special. Perhaps Jane has come to find something more than just the grand buildings and enchanting waters. And once stops hiding behind her camera and embraces the dream full of music, gardenias, fireworks, and a handsome Italian shopkeeper, she finally starts to create a memory that will be remembered fondly, though perhaps a little bittersweet.

Summertime is something of a sweet little gem in Lean’s filmography. One part, it is a kind of doomed love story, but it is also a surprisingly remarkable coming-of-age story that showcases Hepburn’s legendary talents in a role that seems rather ahead of its time. You mean an American film from the 1950’s actually portraying a woman with real, complex thoughts and emotions? Yes, please! It still has some classic tropes, yes, but Summertime puts its own spin on the predictabilities and ultimately giving the audience not a happy ending, but something that completely appropriate and satisfying in its bittersweet-ness. And now you can see Venice and the film’s powerful leading lady dazzle in the newly remastered Blu Ray release, courtesy of the Criterion Collection.

Home Video Distributor: Criterion Collection
Available on Blu-ray - July 12, 2022
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio: English: LPCM Mono
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

With this sublimely bittersweet tale of romantic longing, director David Lean left behind the British soundstage to capture in radiant Technicolor the sun-splashed glory of Venice at the height of summer. In a tour de force of fearless vulnerability, Katharine Hepburn portrays the conflicting emotions that stir the heart of a lonely, middle-aged American tourist who is forced to confront her insecurities when she is drawn into a seemingly impossible affair with a charming Italian shopkeeper (Rossano Brazzi) amid the ancient city’s canals and piazzas. Lean’s personal favorite among his own films, Summertime is an exquisitely tender evocation of the magic and melancholy of a fleeting, not-quite-fairy-tale romance.

Video

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1, the new digital transfer taken from the 35 mm original camera negative shows off the beauty of Venice wonderfully sharp detail with the vibrant Technicolor. The transfer offers a nice, clean look for a film with bright colors and neutral tones balanced well. Film grain does seem a bit heavy during some of the film’s close-ups, but is overall not too distracting.

Audio

The new uncompressed monoaural soundtrack remastered from the 35 mm original optical soundtrack negative showcases the sounds of the busy Italian city, the dialogue, and the romantic music in this crystal-clear soundtrack.

Supplements:

Commentary:

• None

Special Features:

• New interview with film historian Melanie Williams
• Interview from 1963 with director David Lean
• Audio excerpts from a 1988 interview with cinematographer Jack Hildyard
• Trailer
• PLUS: An essay by film critic Stephanie Zacharek

	Movie
	Video
	Audio
	Extras
Composite Blu-ray Grade

MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime: 110 mins
Director: David Lean
Writer: H.E. Bates; David Lean
Cast: Katharine Hepburn; Rossano Brazzi; Isa Miranda
Genre: Comedy | Drama
Tagline: It Happens to Hepburn - It Happens in Venice!
Memorable Movie Quote: "When in Italy, you should meet Italians!"
Theatrical Distributor: United Artists
Official Site: https://www.criterion.com/films/368-summertime
Release Date: June 21, 1955
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: July 12, 2022.
Synopsis: In a tour de force of fearless vulnerability, Katharine Hepburn portrays the conflicting emotions that stir the heart of a lonely, middle-aged American tourist who is forced to confront her insecurities when she is drawn into a seemingly impossible affair with a charming Italian shopkeeper (Rossano Brazzi) amid the ancient city’s canals and piazzas. Lean’s personal favorite among his own films, Summertime is an exquisitely tender evocation of the magic and melancholy of a fleeting, not-quite-fairy-tale romance.