Last Summer (1969)

During summer vacation on Fire Island, three young people become very close. When an uncool girl tries to infiltrate the trio's newly found relationship, they construct an elaborate plot that has violent results.

Director:

Frank Perry

Writers:

Evan Hunter (novel), Eleanor Perry (screenplay)

Stars:

Barbara Hershey, Richard Thomas, Bruce Davison

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

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

Storyline

During summer vacation on Fire Island, three young people--a girl and two guys--become so close that they form a sort-of threesome. When an uncool girl tries to infiltrate the trio's newly found relationship, they construct an elaborate plot that has violent results.

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Plot Keywords:

friendship | rape | date rape | acquaintance rape | summer | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

A subplot involving a wounded seagull affected Barbara Hershey sufficiently for her to change her surname to Seagull for a couple of years.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Rhoda: They all smelled of whiskey when I kissed them. And this man, who made the bet with my mother, cupped my behind in both hands and kissed me good night on the mouth. And my mother took me upstairs, and change into a suit, then she came into my room. Seems red and she was wearing this short white terry cloth robe. She look happy, very excited. She smells of whiskey too. But she didn't drink... a lot. Just enough to feel happy. She acted very happy that night. And then she... and then she... close...

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Crazy Credits

There are no opening credits beyond the noting of the film's producer (Emanuel L/Wolf) and distributor (Allied Artists). The film's title, cast, and production credits only appear at the end.

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Alternate Versions

Originally rated X when it was first released in 1969. Cuts were later made to a graphic rape scene at the end of the film, and the MPAA gave it a R-rating. This latter version is the only one currently available on video.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Earl Holliman/Charles Nelson Reilly/Billy Crystal/Donna Theodore/Merie Earle (1977)

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Soundtracks

Temptation, Lust & Laziness
Written by John Simon
Performed by Aunt Mary's Transcendental Slip & Lurch Band

User Reviews

Youth, innocence and cruelty

This coming of age drama is about four friends living on an island who meet on the beach. As they discover sex and each other they are at times brave, kind and considerate. However at other times a darker side to their nature appears and they are cowardly, selfish and cruel. The characters' parents never appear in the movie and all verbal references to them are negative. We are left with the impression that these young adults are left to their own devices and they are growing up without morals. The film is shot in soft focus and the days are the perfect Summer idyll. The symbolism is a little unsubtle at times, but the performances are good. Catherine Burns received an oscar nomination.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 November 1969 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Last Summer

Filming Locations:

Bay Shore, Long Island, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$780,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alsid Productions, Francis Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)