Five Days One Summer (1982)
A forbidden love unfolds against the majestic Swiss Alps in Fred Zinnemann's final and deeply intimate film.
Five Days One Summer - Movie Information
- Original Title: Five Days One Summer
- Release Year: 1982
- Directed by: Fred Zinnemann
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 48m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 7, 1983 (Ireland - PG), March 4, 1983 (Germany - 12)
- Alternative Titles: Cinq jours ce printemps-là (FR)
- Production Companies: The Ladd Company
- Production Countries: United States of America
Five Days One Summer - Plot
A 1930s Scottish doctor goes climbing in the Alps with an infatuated niece he passes off as his wife.
Five Days One Summer - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a sense of the film's sweeping Alpine atmosphere:
An obsession, a love, a memory.
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Five Days One Summer - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Fred Zinnemann
Main Cast
- Sean Connery
- Betsy Brantley
- Lambert Wilson
- Jennifer Hilary
- Isabel Dean
- Gérard Buhr
- Anna Massey
- Sheila Reid
- Georges Claisse
- Kathy Marothy
Writers
- Michael Austin
Producers
- Fred Zinnemann
Five Days One Summer - FAQs
What is Five Days One Summer about?
Five Days One Summer follows Douglas Meredith, a middle-aged Scottish doctor who travels to the Swiss Alps in the 1930s with his young niece Kate, introducing her as his wife. The film explores their forbidden romance against a backdrop of breathtaking mountain scenery, jealousy, and moral tension when a charming young guide enters the picture.
Is the romance in Five Days One Summer taboo?
Yes, and that's central to the film's drama. Douglas and Kate are uncle and niece, not husband and wife, making their relationship deeply forbidden. The film doesn't shy away from the moral complexity — it examines obsession, age difference, and the emotional cost of a love that society would never sanction.
Where can I watch Five Days One Summer?
You can rent or buy Five Days One Summer on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. It's not currently available on a subscription streaming service, but digital rental is a straightforward option across all major platforms.
Does Five Days One Summer have a tragic ending?
The film carries a melancholic, bittersweet tone throughout, and its ending reflects that mood. Without giving too much away, the Alpine setting — beautiful but unforgiving — plays a symbolic role in how the story resolves. Viewers expecting a conventional romantic conclusion may find the ending quietly devastating.
Who are the main actors in Five Days One Summer?
Sean Connery leads the cast as Douglas Meredith, with Betsy Brantley as his niece Kate and Lambert Wilson as Johann, the young mountain guide who complicates their relationship. The supporting cast includes Jennifer Hilary, Anna Massey, and Isabel Dean, rounding out a strong ensemble.
Was Five Days One Summer Fred Zinnemann's final film?
Yes, Five Days One Summer was the last feature film directed by Fred Zinnemann, the acclaimed filmmaker behind High Noon, From Here to Eternity, and The Day of the Jackal. It stands as a quietly personal farewell from a director known for his meticulous craftsmanship and emotionally restrained storytelling.
Where was Five Days One Summer filmed?
The film was shot on location in the Swiss Alps, and the mountain scenery is genuinely spectacular. Cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno captured the grandeur and danger of the alpine landscape with stunning clarity, making the setting feel like a character in its own right rather than mere backdrop.
Is Five Days One Summer based on a true story or book?
The film is based on a short story by Kay Boyle called “Maiden, Maiden,” adapted for the screen by Michael Austin. It's not based on real events, but Boyle's original story drew on the atmosphere and emotional tensions of 1930s Alpine climbing culture to craft its quietly devastating narrative.
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