Summertime aka Summer Madness [1955] [DVD]

I didn't know what to expect before watching, and it turned out amazing.This film is a real gem, and it doesn't seem to get spoken about much. It really captures that loneliness of travelling alone and anxiety of trying to form new relationships. And, it does so without being miserable, balancing it with the wonder one feels getting up early to go see that site early before the crowds.Love it

This is a beautifully crafted movie. The theme is simple enough but it is beautifully execute with a subtlety than the current crop of movie makers seem entirely unable to muster. On the one hand this is perhaps less damning than it first appears as Lean was a major talent of the first order and Hepburn was at the height of her talent, a real movie star of lasting power which we definitely do not have now. On the otherhand though is seems that Hollywood has been entirely given over to soulless moneymen (& women) who are only looking at the bottom line and that is tragic.My initial motivation for search this movie out recently, although I had seen it years ago, was the location. Rarely has a location been so beautifully made one of the stars of a movie. Prior to my recent holiday there I watched Summer Madness (to give it its proper British title) and was blown away by the beauty of Venice. When I got there I was not disappointed the place is as beautiful and wonderful as I expected and more. The shop featured in the movie still sell postcards with stills from the movie and to stand on the edge of the canal the Hepburn fell into makes you really feel a connection with the movie.My recommendation here is to buy the movie and, if you can afford to, take a trip to Venice to see for yourself, but go in early spring or autumn (October in Venice was warm and lovely.This has become one of my favourite films; I love it!

Dreary Katherine Hepburn loses this movie a star. Ok, it's set in the 50s and Hepburn is playing a middle aged virgin, a role she was born for, weeping and whining her way round Venice. Then, by a miracle, the most luscious man in all Italy takes a fancy to her, even in those ghastly high-collared shirtwaist dresses and her signature hideous hairdo. Now borrowed by Princess Anne. So having attracted him, she severely lectures, then spurns him. O mores! Worth it for David Lean's love letter to Venice, H.E Bates screenplay and for Rossano Brassi, urbane, handsome and wasted on the embarrassing, virtuous heroine!

I love this film. It’s a feast for the eyes, the scenery, the clothes and accessories. The only part l don’t like at all is the small boy smoking cigarettes, absolutely unacceptable. They were dead wrong for that.

I first saw this film many years ago - long before I visited Venice and loved it. Having been to Venice a few times now I decided to get the DVD to watch and say ' we've been there - and there ! ' from the scene where she comes out of the railway station ( where else in the world has a station frontage like Venice ? ) to seeing the clock tower figurines in motion ( they only come out twice a year now) to the atmosphere in St Marks Square - brilliant. The only thing about Venice which has changed is the outfits of both men and women! Men in suits and ties - how very 50's !So if you love Venice this is a real treat of a film.

If you havent been to Venice....here it is.The film is both a travelogue and love story sprinkled with humour. The approach by train across the water to the city is an unmissable ingredient of a visit, the architecture all the more sensational framed by watery reflection and the lack of vehicles. Possibly a film for the more mature,but in a positive way. Beautiful and poignant, Katherine Hepburn at her best . A grown up love story that doesn't have the predictable ending. An example of life not often portayed: older woman finds love unexpectantly, experiencing the magic of new love usually connected with the young. It shows Venice in all its poetic glory, Marvellous.

I have just watched this fim on Five, and made up my mind that I had to have a copy. Having been to Venice many times, I could totally identify with Hepburn's awkwardness at being alone in such a romantic city, surrounded by couples in love. How good would it be to go in a shop and come out with someone like Rossano Brazzi!! Both actors gave the performance of their lives, and the cinematography of Venice was in a class of its own- I was transported back there.Throughout the film,I could almost feel the sun and smell the place. Absolute masterpiece on the same level as the great love stories such as Brief Encounter.

GREAT FILM

This may be a very nice film; but I'll never know, because it could not be played.CHECK PLAYABILITY FOR YOUR REGION! Query the seller on this point, before buying.This DVD could not be played in my "region" (Virginia) — and probably nowhere in America.I've requested a refund.

Beau film !

Thank you for the timely arrival of this movie and the great service. The movie quality is very good for a classic film.Cheers, Sam

I rated the DVD only one star because we found out that British/European DVD's use a different coding system than the one's sold in the US. So the US DVD player is unable to play them due to this coding issue. However the seller accepted the return without any problem. Sorry for the bad review.