“Best remembered for Paul Newman’s stellar performance... It’s great fun to watch the top-notch cast work together, particularly in the scenes that feature Newman and Orson Welles.”
Conflicts arise when Paul Newman's ambitious drifter Ben Quick rocks into the small Mississippi town where Will Varner (Orson Welles) reigns as the town patriarch. After initial reluctance Varner takes a shine to Quick, favouring him to take over of the family instead of his son. The script was adapted from three William Faulkner short stories and the supporting cast features Lee Remick, Angela Lansbury and Joanne Woodward (who Newman married soon after).
Directed by Martin Ritt, THE LONG HOT SUMMER is based on three William Faulkner stories, and marks the first on-screen teaming of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Featuring an all-star cast including Newman, Woodward, Orson Welles and Lee Remick, this smoldering story from the Deep South is filled with sexual tension, bawdy humor and powerfully clashing personalities.