One Brief Summer

One Brief Summer is a 1971 British drama film directed by John Mackenzie, the first feature film he directed. It stars Felicity Gibson and Clifford Evans.[2] The BFI called it "one of many '60s films to explore a relationship between a middle-aged man and a young woman".[3]

Mark Stevens, a divorced wealthy businessman, has a mistress, Elizabeth, and lives with his adult daughter, Jennifer. They are visited by Susan, a friend of Jennifer's. Susan and Mark fall in love and get married, upsetting Jennifer.

Susan begins an affair with a younger man, Bill Denton, and leaves Mark to be with him.

The film was based on an unproduced play by Harry Tierney. He met producer Guido Coen (who made Baby Love and Penthouse) and they formed a partnership to make the film. Peter Egan was best known for Big Breadwinner Hog and Clifford Evans for The Power Game. Filming began in August 1969 and mostly took place in and around a country house in Hildenborough, Kent, belonging to diamond millionaire Richard Harris. Felicity Gibson was the niece of Guy Gibson and it was her first film; she had a nude scene.[4] It was made at Twickenham Studios.[5]

John Mackenzie was best known for his television work. He later said his "wife had a soft spot" for the film. (She was Wendy Marshall who wrote the script.)[6]

The Guardian thought the story was "pretty absurd" but felt the "careful, very professional direction and some expert playing... give this an edge the story scarcely deserves."[7]

The Evening Standard called it "a Francois Sagan-type story... given added subtlety" by its script and acting. "More a feeling of what a film is about than many a more imposing production.[8]

Variety dubbed it a "slightweight piece".[9]

The New York Times felt it was "a rambling, tedious bore" despite good direction and acting, where "once the friction surfaces, the film goes nowhere, leaving the cast to mill around and stare at one another in disillusion, lust or both."[10]