The Long Hot Summer is a 1985 American made-for-television drama film directed by Stuart Cooper. It is a remake of the 1958 film of the same name, which was based on works by William Faulkner, including the novel The Hamlet. The film stars Don Johnson, Cybill Shepherd, Ava Gardner, Jason Robards, and Judith Ivey. It was produced as a television miniseries and originally aired on NBC on October 6 and 7, 1985.

Plot

Set in a small Mississippi town in the 1940s, the story follows Ben Quick (Don Johnson), a charismatic drifter who arrives in town and quickly becomes entangled in the power struggles of the influential Varner family. The patriarch, Will Varner (Jason Robards), is a domineering and wealthy landowner who sees potential in Ben and seeks to groom him as his successor. However, this ambition is met with resistance from Will’s headstrong daughter, Noel (Judith Ivey), who is wary of Ben’s past and his motives. Meanwhile, Will’s fragile son, Jody (William Russ), struggles to live up to his father’s expectations, further complicating family tensions. As passions rise and conflicts unfold, Ben finds himself caught between love, ambition, and his troubled past.

Cast

Don Johnson as Ben Quick
Jason Robards as Will Varner
Judith Ivey as Noel Varner
Cybill Shepherd as Eula Varner
Ava Gardner as Minnie Littlejohn
William Russ as Jody Varner
Wings Hauser as Wilson Mahood
Alexandra Johnson as Agnes Stewart
Stephen Davies as Alan Stewart
Charlotte Stanton as Mrs. Stewart
Albert Hall as Armistead Howlett
William Forsythe as Isaac
James Gammon as Billy Quick
Rance Howard as Wilk

Production

The film was produced by Edgar J. Scherick and directed by Stuart Cooper. It was filmed in Louisiana, capturing the Southern Gothic atmosphere essential to Faulkner’s storytelling. The screenplay was adapted by Rita Mae Brown, who preserved the essence of Faulkner’s characters while updating the dialogue for a 1980s television audience.

Reception

The Long Hot Summer received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for the performances of Don Johnson and Jason Robards. Some critics noted that the film lacked the depth and intensity of the 1958 version but acknowledged its strong performances and lush cinematography. The film was a moderate success in the television ratings during its initial broadcast.

Legacy

Although it did not achieve the iconic status of the 1958 film, The Long Hot Summer (1985) remains a notable adaptation of Faulkner’s work and a compelling example of 1980s television drama. It provided Don Johnson with a significant role during the height of his Miami Vice fame and remains a curiosity for fans of Southern Gothic storytelling.

References

External links

{{IMDb title|0089500}}

Category:1985 television films

Category:1985 films

Category:1985 romantic drama films

Category:Remakes of American films

Category:American television films

Category:Films directed by Stuart Cooper

Category:Films scored by Charles Bernstein

Category:American romantic drama films

Category:1980s English-language films

Category:1980s American films

Category:English-language romantic drama films