weezeralfalfa The basic plot, on the surface, tells a simple tale of a very common happening through the centuries, in England, as well as the rest of Europe. A young unmarried gentleman 'sows his oats' with a poor trusting peasant girl, then abandons her to marry an often spoiled girl of his own class. However, this case is a bit out of the ordinary in that the gentleman felt a real love for this girl and didn't intend to abandon his promise to marry her, until a series of unexpected events compressed into a couple of days caused him to get cold feet and make a fateful decision. He was swayed by the common advice to young upper class gentleman to 'never make the mistake of marrying your mistress', and let his head overrule his heart at the last minute. Unfortunately for Megan: the girl involved, Frank Ashton, the gentleman involved, was not the sort to keep a mistress on the side. Thus, he never sought her out again until it was far too late. Thus,she was left to care for their infant son he didn't know existed, and soon thereafter died of a combination of depression and a winter illness. This, Ashton didn't learn until many years later.The screenplay contrasts the earthy communal feel of rural English peasantry with the city world of uncaring bureaucracy-obsessed arrogant bankers and out-of-touch leisured upper class families. Of course, this is a caricature that doesn't always ring true. Nonetheless, we are treated to the perception of Megan as a carefree young woman, full of fun, yet skilled in the tasks of a farm girl: a girl with self confidence in caring for children in a fun way and doing the common chores of a housewife, capable of real passion in a romantic relationship with the right man, despite disapproval by her family. The background music for the film was quite appropriate in helping to accentuate it's various moods.This story has personal relevance to me, as I didn't make Ashton's mistake. Against all advice, I decided to marry a girl rather like Megan, from a poor family on the other side of the world, of quite a different race and non-western culture, and whom I had known only a short while. Despite many challenges, it has generally worked out well for 20+ years, thus far. With my considerable financial and knowledge help, she became a medical professional and has adapted well to US culture, while retaining a keen interest in her native family and culture. However, you must begin with the right two people for this to work out well over the long run.

S I thought I was the only one who remembers A Summer Story. I cannot believe this movie is not more widely known. This should be regarded as a classic. I watched A Summer Story nearly a decade ago. I was barely in my teens then, just beginning to understand the mysteries of this world. This is one of the first movies that truly touched me. I didn't understand all of it but understood enough to lie awake the whole night crying into my pillow. The next morning my mom asked me if there was anything the matter with me because my eyes were all red and puffy from crying. I am glad to know that I am not the only one who cried after watching it. And the final scene! My heart aches even now when I think of it. If anyone doesn't cry after that final moment they must be made out of stone! True, my memory of A Summer Story maybe tinted with the rosy glow of yesterday but from what I remember every tear I shed for this movie was worth it.

unique1harmony This is another excellent love movie that most people miss out on. I remember watching this way back when it was shown on the local public television channel and was so mesmerized by the whole movie. When I first saw it, I was much younger. I enjoyed it so much I wanted to watch it again however it was hard to find a copy and it wasn't played anymore on TV. Many years later I was able to find it at a local movie rental store. Thinking that it probably won't hit the spot like it did the first time, I was wrong. I enjoyed it just as much like the first time. It's hard to find a good love movie involving a romance so full of many emotions. I go back and rent this video every now and then to watch. This movie and "The Notebook" touched my heart in almost the same way. If you enjoyed watching "The Notebook" or haven't seen both and simply enjoy watching heart touching romantic movies then you must watch both! Innocent love lost and betrayed, it's so sad.

quayevano I remember watching this film way back when I was in high school as a TV special (since it was never released in movie theaters in my country).My sister and I, as young as we were then and perhaps still idealistic and what have you, were moved to tears watching this great film. I can still remember my sister and I trying to find out the name of the actress when the credit was being shown because we were so touched by the truthfulness of her performance.For one strange reason or another Imogen Stubbs' name really got stuck in my mind from then on, although I have never ever seen any other movie of hers after that. This movie made an impression on my young mind and has stayed with me ever since. For a couple of years now, I have been desperately trying to find a VCD or DVD copy of this movie so that I could watch it again and experience the same emotions I had back then when I was watching it with innocent eyes. But alas, I still have not found any copy.I really would love to watch this movie again... something to help me revisit the child in me.