Summerfield (1977)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Ken Hannam

Writer:

Cliff Green (written by)

Release Date:

30 September 1977 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery

Tagline:

Nothing will prepare you for the end

Plot:

A teacher discovers one of his students has a rare blood disease, and is drawn into a mystery that culminates in a thrilling climax. |

Plot Keywords:

Disappearance | Hanged Child | Schoolteacher | Fake Hanging | Small Community

Cast

Nick Tate	...	Simon Robinson
John Waters	...	David Abbott
Elizabeth Alexander	...	Jenny Abbott
Michelle Jarman	...	Sally Abbott
Charles 'Bud' Tingwell	...	Dr. Miller
Geraldine Turner	...	Betty Tate
Max Cullen	...	Jim Tate
Barry Donnelly	...	Sergeant Potter
Sheila Florance	...	Miss Gleeson
Isobel Harley	...	Miss Tucker
Joy Westmore	...	Mrs. Shields
Adrian Wright	...	Peter Flynn
David Smeed	...	Mark
Max Fairchild	...	Joe Baxter

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

Trivia:

In the script initially, Nick Tate's character was intended to be a surfer but once Tate took the role the decision was made to make him a teacher.

Quotes:

Jenny Abbott: When David and I were very young, we'd walk up here and sit and look out across the water. We used to argue if that land over there was England or America! Sometimes it was Africa or India but it was always the world, the world beyond our world - Summerfield.

Full of mood and bitterness

This is a remarkable film. Slow moving, it nevertheless gripped me, thanks to an intriguing premise, moody photography and sympathetic playing. The "if only" ending is surprising and satisfying; even now, 20 years after I first saw the film and with plenty of others to compare it with, I still think it's one of the most memorable film endings I've seen. Recommended.