The Greengage Summer – 1961 | 99 mins | Drama | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Interesting and warm romantic failure directed by Lewis Gilbert, adapted from the novel by Rumer Godden, which captures the beauty and innocence of youth as an English girl enters womanhood. Meanwhile, Freddie Young’s stylish Technicolor photography flawlessly captures the splendour of the French champagne country. The main problem is that the plot degenerates into silly dramatics at the expense of character development and resolves to a disappointingly hackneyed ending. Susannah York, in her first demanding film role, produces one of her best performances. A young Jane Asher is impishly effective as York’s sister.

Four youngsters from Bexhill-on-Sea are stranded in a French chateau whilst holidaying when their mother falls ill and becomes hospitalised.16-year-old Joss Grey (Susannah York) is forced to take charge of her siblings.The proprietor, Madame Zisi (Danielle Darrieux), reluctantly takes the children in, and her handsome English lover, Eliot (Kenneth More), volunteers to entertain them. Joss finds herself increasingly attracted to their mysterious middle-aged guardian, and when she sees Eliot and landlady lover Zisi heading for bed, she gets drunk with predatory kitchen-boy Paul (David Saire).

Joss becomes suspicious of Eliot due to his reluctance to be photographed and apparent avoidance of a police inspector Renard, during a tour of the champagne caves. In a jealous rage, she decides to get revenge on him by sending his picture to the police. Eliot turns out to be, of all things, a jewel thief. On Eliot’s final evening at the chateau, he is alerted by screams emanating from Joss’ room after Paul attempts to seduce, and then violently rape her.Eliot comes to the rescue and Paul dies making his escape from the balcony. Joss confesses her betrayal to Eliot and he goes on the run.