The Swimmer Overview:

The Swimmer (1968) was a Drama - Romance Film directed by Sydney Pollack and Frank Perry and produced by Frank Perry and Roger Lewis.

BlogHub Articles:

The Swimmer (1968): A Fable Starring Burt Lancaster

By 4 Star Film Fan on Feb 25, 2020 From 4 Star Films

I am tempted to call The Swimmer a pretentious fable about the waters of life. It is set in the upper echelon of Connecticut society, but the same cross-section might hold true in California as well. In fact, one could say this film effectively extends the pool metaphor of The Graduate (1967). Becau... Read full article


The Swimmer (1968)

By Beatrice on Feb 14, 2020 From Flickers in Time

The SwimmerDirected by Frank Perry Written by Eleanor Perry from a short story by John Cheever 1968/US IMDb lnk First viewing/Amazon Instant Burt Lancaster’s “Swimmer” takes a poke at Mid-Century prosperity and despair. After a long absence Neddy Merrill (Lancaster) shows up in h... Read full article


book: The Swimmer (2013; trans 2015 Elizabeth Clark Wessel) by Joakim Zander

By John Grant on Jan 10, 2020 From Noirish

The publisher seems keen to make us believe that this novel represents the emergence of a new John Le Carr? or Graham Greene. Their copywriters should read a bit more Le Carr? or Greene before making such comparisons, because they’re not doing Joakim Zander any favors. You won’t find in ... Read full article


THE SWIMMER (1968)

By Terry on May 27, 2018 From Stardust and Shadows

All I can say is? wow? after this one with Burt Lancaster take risks? as a performer? and for story content.? ? THE SWIMMER (1968)? Directed by Frank Perry? is? a? stylish? journey of? Man: in this case? Ned Merrill (Burt Lancaster) to ‘swim home” in his neighbor’s pools which are ... Read full article


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Quotes from

Ned Merrill: You see, if you make believe hard enough that something is true, then it *is* true for *you*.


Mrs. Hammar: You're not welcome here, Mister Merrill.
Ned Merrill: Well, you know me, don't you? I'm a friend of your son.
Mrs. Hammar: A friend. How dare you use that word. You never came to see him. You never even called him at the hospital.
Ned Merrill: Well how is he? Is he - better?
[Mrs. Hammar only glares in response]


Ned Merrill: I'll call it the Lucinda River, after my wife.
Peggy Forsburgh: That's quite a tribute.


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Facts about

Frank Perry did not finish directing this film because of creative differences.
Burt Lancaster always insisted that this was both his best and his most favorite film of his career.
According to multiple biographies of Burt Lancaster, Barbara Loden's scene with Lancaster was reshot with Janice Rule as Loden's performance had overpowered him in the scene. Using Rule, whose performance was less powerful than that of Loden, restored balance to the scene.
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Also directed by Frank Perry




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Also released in 1968




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