Ardent Summer (1973)
A fierce Argentine revenge drama in which a woman takes deadly justice into her own hands after her husband is murdered by a powerful landowner.
Ardent Summer - Movie Information
- Original Title: Furia Infernal
- Release Year: 1973
- Directed by: Armando Bó
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Western
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: Spanish
- Spoken Languages: Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 30, 1973 (Argentina)
- Alternative Titles: Ardent Summer (US)
- Production Companies: Columbia Pictures of Argentina
- Production Countries: Argentina
Ardent Summer - Plot
Barbara is a sexy stripper, but she is dedicated to her husband. When a rich and above-the-law land-owner orders the murder of her husband to get her, she plans, and conducts, deadly revenge. She starts by intriguing between the rich man and his sons, who also had abused her, so that he has two of them killed, and then she sets out against the actual killers, shooting them herself, and leaving the old lecher and his older son to the last. The final confrontation has some surprises, though.
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Ardent Summer - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Armando Bó
Main Cast
- Isabel Sarli
- Víctor Bó
- Armando Bó
- Jorge Barreiro
- Juan José Miguez
- Hugo Mújica
- Mario Casado
- Pancho Jiménez
- Roberto Landers
Writers
- Armando Bó
Producers
- Armando Bó
Ardent Summer - FAQs
What is Ardent Summer about?
Ardent Summer follows Barbara, a dancer whose husband is killed by a powerful landowner who wants her for himself. Rather than submit, she engineers a cunning revenge — turning the landowner's own sons against each other before taking matters into her own hands in a tense, violent showdown.
Is Ardent Summer based on a true story?
Ardent Summer is not based on a true story. It's an original screenplay written by director Armando Bó, crafted as a vehicle for the iconic Argentine actress Isabel Sarli. The film blends melodrama and Western genre conventions in a style characteristic of Bó and Sarli's prolific collaboration.
Who stars in Ardent Summer?
The film stars Isabel Sarli in the lead role of Barbara, alongside Armando Bó as her husband and Víctor Bó as the landowner's older son. Juan José Miguez plays the ruthless landowner, with Jorge Barreiro, Hugo Mújica, Mario Casado, Pancho Jiménez, and Roberto Landers rounding out the cast.
Who directed Ardent Summer?
Ardent Summer was directed by Armando Bó, the Argentine filmmaker who also wrote, produced, and acted in the film. Bó is best known for his long creative and personal partnership with Isabel Sarli, with whom he made dozens of films throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
What genre is Ardent Summer?
Ardent Summer blends Drama and Western genres. The film combines the rugged landscapes and revenge-driven narrative of a Western with the emotional intensity and melodrama typical of Argentine cinema of the era, all anchored by Isabel Sarli's commanding screen presence.
Does Ardent Summer have a satisfying ending?
The film builds to a gripping final confrontation between Barbara and the men responsible for her husband's death. The ending delivers some genuine surprises, subverting expectations in ways that set it apart from a straightforward revenge tale. It's a memorable conclusion that rewards patient viewers.
What is the significance of Isabel Sarli in this film?
Isabel Sarli was Argentina's most iconic sex symbol and one of its biggest box-office draws of the era. In Ardent Summer, she brings real dramatic weight to the role of Barbara, transforming what could be a simple revenge story into a showcase for her fierce, captivating screen presence.
What are some films similar to Ardent Summer?
If Ardent Summer appeals to you, consider exploring The Harder They Come (1972) for its raw revenge energy, Dancer in the Dark (2000) for its emotionally charged drama, or Vice Squad (1982) for a similarly gritty tone. Never Look Back (1952) and Blood Orange (1953) also share thematic ground.
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