The film that brought Newman and Woodward together has lost none of its power...

The Long Hot Summer (1958) is directed by Martin Ritt and based on a series of short stories by author William Faulkner and represents the first on-screen pairing of real-life couple Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. I recall being forced to watch this many years ago one Sunday afternoon when I naively thought that black-and-white films could never be as good as something in colour that featured robots. Even back then I had to admit that The Long Hot Summer was good, but the passage of time has only improved it.

Set in rural Mississippi in the deep South of America, the film tells the tale of Ben Quick (Newman), a wandering handyman whose reputation as something of a trouble-maker precedes him. When he wanders into town, all handsome and cocky, the locals can’t help but be suspicious and initially treat him with contempt.

Will Varner, the town patriarch (superbly acted by Orson Welles), although initially wary of the newcomer, soon recognises some of his own qualities in Quick and begins to think of him not only as a respectable suitor for his uptight and eternally single daughter (Woodward), but also as a suitable heir to his business, due to his lack of love for his own ne'er-do-well son.

Newman gives a fantastic performance as Quick. Good enough, in fact, to bring him home the coveted Best Actor award for his role at the Cannes Film Festival. He really has his 'arrogant strut' nailed, and it’s not hard to see why Joanne Woodward was powerless to his resist his advances. Newman injects just enough charm into Quick to ensure that you warm to his character in spite of his outwardly macho bravado. Welles’ character has one line which sums up the character of Quick perfectly, referring to him as a “big stud horse”. Surely Newman agreed to play this role based solely on that reference!

The dialogue throughout is expertly written. As the love story unfolds before your eyes, you can’t help but think of what was happening between the two screen legends when the cameras weren’t rolling. Also, the scenes between Welles and Newman really are exceptional. Both actors deliver their lines expertly and hold you entranced in their exchanges. It was a genuine pleasure to watch this on-screen pairing.

Although it takes a little while to get going, the story gains momentum steadily thereafter and climaxes with a truly jaw-dropping finale that, while predictable, is still shocking.

The Long Hot Summer, although 50 years old, remains as gripping and entertaining to modern audiences as it was back in 1951. The story itself is fascinating and the standard of acting ensures that it will always be considered a genuine classic.

Extras
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The Long Hot Summer is released on January 31st 2010

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