As Summers Die (1986 TV Movie) User Reviews

Greed, Bigotry, and Justice

[wes-connors · 5/10 · 21 March 2010]

"Lawyer Willie Croft (Scott Glenn) is indifferently letting his practice run itself when the town's richest family begins a determined effort to obtain the farm of an old black woman, Elvira Backus (Beau Richards). Elvira claims she was given her land by the dead family patriarch, Jonathan Holt, and finds an unlikely ally in Holt's aging sister Hannah (Bette Davis), whose mental competence is being challenged by the Holt clan. As for Willie, his growing involvement in the case intensifies when he begins to fall in love with Hannah's high-spirited niece (Jamie Lee Curtis)."

This "HBO Premiere" TV film is, like the VHS sleeve proclaims, "Wonderfully acted with intelligence and sensitivity." The setting is given as 1959 Georgia, while the VHS says Louisiana (a more story-centric locale, but you get the idea). Ms. Richards' portrayal, for which she won a "Cable Ace" award, is especially outstanding. And, Ms. Davis proves she is still a capable actress (still smoking and drinking), following an obviously debilitating stroke. The film suffers, though, from staid direction and a lugubrious pace. Just try to imagine watching it without Richards and Davis.

***** As Summers Die (5/17/86) Jean-Claude Tramont ~ Scott Glenn, Jamie Lee Curtis, Beah Richards, Bette Davis

A story not only about justice

[bellino-angelo2014 · 7/10 · 27 May 2022]

Elvira Backus' family goes to see lawyer Willie Croft (Scott Glenn) because the town's richest family claims her land. Elvira finds an unlikely ally in the dead patriarch's sister Hannah Loftin (Bette Davis) that is challenged by the Holt clan. As for Willie, the involvement in the case intensifies when he falls for Hannah's niece Whitsey (Jamie Lee Curtis).

It's one of those typical made for TV movies where there is an old woman that has problems in keeping her propriety safe from the bloodsucking families. Bette Davis was very good as usual, and Scott Glenn and Jamie Lee Curtis made a nice couple, and honestly I think that if there was more of the relationship the film would have been better. Still, as it is, it's good but nothing exceptional.

Summer turns to fall to bring new things to life.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 22 August 2019]

Better than I remembered this to be from first seeing it 30 years ago, this is a touching adult drama of love and pain and prejudice and a South that hadn't quite grown up from a century before. It's a combination of the type of stories that Horton Foote and William Inge used to write, with a bit of Tennessee Williams and Harper Lee, even a bit of John Grisham. It's a tale of the attempts of white supremacy to keep a bequest of land from remaining the property of the aging Beah Richards, once the lover of a powerful white man, faced with the revealing of secrets that could rock this proud old white culture, threatened with a truth that could destroy it.

While the leads are Scott Glenn as the attorney who volunteers to represent Richards in court appreciation to a friend Jamie Lee Curtis, the niece of the deceased bequestor. Betty Davis, still recovering from a stroke she had several years before, is the dead man's sister who knows the secret and risk-prone health to reveal the truth. there are a lot of powerful emotions explored in this film and the performances are all incredible, but it is Richards who will steal your heart. Penny Fuller, ironically Eve in "Applause!" (the musical version of "All About Eve"), plays Davis's uppity niece, revealing a prejudiced so vile that you want to reach through the screen and strangle her.

John Randolph is superb as the attorney out to beat Glenn, giving subtle innuendos that he hates the case he's forced to be involved in but has no choice because of his own prejudices and southern tradition. I don't know how accurate fights like this were as a rule in the post depression-era South, but if anything, it's a reminder of hope that the hatreds imbedded through prejudice can be eradicated completely.

ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE!

[moviola-8 · 18 September 1999]

This Is One Of The BEST & Earliest HBO Original Films! An excellent story carried off superbly by an excellent cast! The legendary Bette Davis SHINES in this classic tale of Greed & Skullduggery in the Deep South. Scott Glenn is wonderful in his role as the small town southern underdog attorney trying to save a black family from losing their home after oil has been discovered under the ground. Jamie Lee Curtis plays the Updated Southern Belle with a KICK. One of her first scenes where she arrives at the family mansion is INCREDIBLE! And Davis as the matronly matriarch of the rich Southern clan who KNOWS what is what is a sight to behold. What will Scott Glenn walk away with? The case or the girl? If you can track down this gem and find out for yourself you will NOT be disappointed!

Interesting trivia about this movie

[daisyga · 7/10 · 18 January 2009]

This movie was filmed in and around Valdosta (Lowndes Co.) and Quitman (Brooks Co.), Georgia. The party scene inside the beautiful mansion was filmed at The Crescent in Valdosta, Georgia. The scenes of the houses at the lake were filmed at Ocean Pond and other lakes in southern Lowndes Co. The courthouse scenes (interior and exterior) were filmed at the Brooks County Courthouse. I am from Valdosta and this filming took place when I was in high school and this was a HUGE deal in Valdosta! Quite a few of the extras in the film are people I know! Bette Davis was VERY frail during the time they were shooting and, from what I heard, was an EXTREMELY crotchety and cranky old lady! All in all, it's a decent movie. The scenery is good but the acting leaves A LOT to be desired! The storyline leans HEAVILY toward "To Kill a Mockingbird", but it's entertaining. If I remember correctly, this was filmed for and by HBO.

Not nearly as interesting as I'd hoped.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 25 May 2023]

The main reason I decided to watch "As Summers Die" is that I am nearly finished with my goal of seeing every Bette Davis movie...and after this film, I only have a few more to go.

"As Summers Die" was filmed following Ms. Davis' stroke....and it's pretty obvious when you see her facial paralysis and slightly slurred speech. However, the film role fit her condition and she was fine in this part.

The story is about a disagreement over land rights back in the south in the 1950s. A rich white family claims a parcel of land, though the family patriarch apparently gave it to his black lover and her family. Scott Glenn plays the attorney representing the black family, as the case eventually arrives in court.

This film isn't bad at all. But it also seems very muted and not nearly as exciting as I'd hoped. In other words, it's okay...nothing more. And, you'd think given the subject matter that there'd be more excitement in the story.

Disappointed :-(

[carol-cherman · 4/10 · 19 March 2010]

After I read the review written by "moviola-8," I was immediately inspired to buy "As Summers Die" on eBay. I was hoping that this movie would show the brilliance that writer, Winston Groom, showed in "Forrest Gump," but I'm just not feeling it...not even close. This movie didn't make the same impression on me that it did on the other reviewers, and I was disappointed. The story meandered along and did not bring up any feelings in me. I didn't feel indignant, outraged or anything else. Nothing. Maybe something was lost in translation between the book and the screenplay (by a different writer). As long as we're talking about old movies that are hard to find, but worth the viewing, I'd like to find "The Traveling Executioner" starring Stacy Keach, but I don't think it exists on DVD or VHS. Now THAT is an original and very different story - as is "Forrest Gump."

Exceptional

[Rainsford5 · 10/10 · 24 July 2005]

Bette Davis, Jamie Lee Curtis, Scott Glenn and Beah Richards... put together guarantee's great viewing. It moves along at an interesting pace and features some great moments. Beautifully shot with gorgeous imagery, it does contain a few unanswered questions and a sort of rushed ending however, all in all, I loved this film and highly recommend it to anyone. A must see for Bette Davis fans. Miss Davis second role following her devastating stroke and double mastectomy, however she met the challenge with triumph and comes off with a brilliant characterization. She has her great moment in court and shows that she still was at the top of her profession right till the end. Give it a go !! You'll enjoy it.

Justice

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 20 September 2020]

A couple of female senior citizens Bette Davis and Beah Richards make As Summers Die one outstanding made for TV drama. Someone should have considered this for theatrical release.

Richards' family comes to see Scott Glenn about some bayou swamp land that she owns and they really want her to sell out. She's insisting that she'll not leave her home and she wants Glenn who's a lawyer and the only one around not on permanent retainer by the delta plantation owners.

Richards and several other black tenants around her have oil on the property and the family that deeded the land over to her now want it back. They hire John Randolph one smooth talking mush mouth shyster togo to court.

The only member of the family that hires Randolph with any integrity is Bette Davis aged widow of the family patriarch. Bette wants to see justice done and she really has no interest in any double dealing this close to the pearly gates. Her competency of course is challenged.

This drama is set in the mid 50s at the beginning of the civil rights era. Glenn himself is taking a long chance career wise representing these black tenant farmers.

Both Davis and Richards have some great courtroom scenes as witnesses. As Summers die is a must for Bette Davis fans. One of the best of her late career roles.

Very impressed by this movie

[kingmiller-1 · 8/10 · 23 August 2006]

I saw this movie on TV years ago, and I've never stopped looking for it again. I'd love it if it was on DVD, so I could rent or buy it. I think Scott Glenn is one of the best actors, and one of the most underrated ones, that are in movies today. And Jamie Lee Curtis is always charming, cute, and does her usual great acting performance. I'm not a Bette Davis fan, so I don't care whether she was good or not in this movie. All the other members of the cast more than make up for my opinion of her. I was especially impressed with the concept of a white lawyer defending a black woman in a lawsuit. All the cast was excellent. I hope I get to see the movie again one of these days. I looked for it on Netflix, but unfortunately, they don't have a copy of it yet.