Last Summer
1969's LAST SUMMER is a Holy Grail for many film buffs. A movie that is said only to exist anymore in a 16mm print, one that was found in Australia and very rarely played in revival houses. Turner Classic Movies has a copy but it appears to be edited somewhat. A few years back I happened to catch the uncut version on DVD, not officially released. Brutal. I'm not sure if it was the original version seen in theaters back when. From what I'd read about this picture I think the version I saw was largely intact, and no less disturbing than what writer Eleanor and director Frank Perry may had originally committed to film. Fire Island, Long Island, New York. We meet three youths frolicking away the summer while their parents throw dinner parties. Dan (Bruce Davison), Peter (Richard Thomas), and Sandy (Barbara Hershey). They are attractive and playful, and form a close bond, a clique. They swig beer and marijuana and dare each other to revea...
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