Last Summer (1969)

Director:

Frank Perry

Writers:

Evan Hunter (novel)
Eleanor Perry (writer)

Release Date:

10 June 1969 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

It was a summer of shared friendship... and lost innocence.

Plot:

During summer vacation on Long Island, three young people--a girl and two guys--become so close that they form a sort-of threesome...

Plot Keywords:

Bare Butt | Shampoo | Topless | Coming Of Age | Date Rape

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Barbara Hershey	...	Sandy
Richard Thomas	...	Peter
Bruce Davison	...	Dan
Catherine Burns	...	Rhoda
Ernesto Gonzalez	...	Anibal

Runtime:

95 min | Sweden:97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:X (cut) | West Germany:12 (f) (re-rating) | West Germany:16 (f) (original rating) | France:-18 | Finland:K-15 (new rating: 2001) | Argentina:18 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:R | USA:X (original rating) | Italy:X (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Bay Shore, Long Island, New York, USA

Company:

Alsid Productions

Trivia:

Based on a novel, the character of Dan was originally called David in the book but was changed for the movie, probably because director Frank Perry - then best known for his film David and Lisa (1962), also about troubled teens - wanted to avoid suggestion he was making a sequel/prequel about same character.

Goofs:

Continuity: After the guys meet Sandy, when they take the thing out of the bird's beak, Sandy's hair changes its position considerably between takes.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Indie Sex: Teens (2007) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Hal, The Handyman

Amazing Performances

I caught this film late at night and stayed up until 4am watching it. It is a beautifully crafted story and intriguing to watch Barbara Hershey, Richard Thomas, and Bruce Davidson give such strong performances at the start of their careers. Catherine Burns, however, steals the film as Rhoda. Her performance is nothing short of screen perfection and should be required viewing for every actor. She gives a monologue about her mother's death that will leave you feeling as alone as she is.