One of the few bona fide counter-cultural films to be produced by a major studio, The Swimmer is a sun-scorched and surreal suburban satire that boasts a fine performance from Burt Lancaster (Castle Keep, Buffalo Bill and the Indians) as Ned Merrill, the all-American man who one day determines to swim home to his Connecticut mansion via a series of pools in his neighbourhood.
Directed by Frank Perry (Diary of a Mad Housewife) imbues Eleanor Perry's (David and Lisa, Ladybug Ladybug) adaptation of John Cheever's short story with stunning expressionistic flourishes, creating a true masterpiece of cinema.
2014 restoration from a 4K scan of the original negative
Original mono audio
Audio commentary with Frank Perry biographer Justin Bozung (2022)
Marge Champion on 'The Swimmer' (2013, 18 mins): onstage interview with the actor, conducted by filmmaker Allison Anders at the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival, TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, after a screening of The Swimmer
Against the Tide (2022, 11 mins): actor, comedian and filmmaker Richard Ayoade discusses the unique genius of the Perrys' film
'The Swimmer' Read by John Cheever (2004, 26 mins): the original New Yorker short story read by the author
Title sequence outtakes
Isolated music & effects track
Original theatrical trailer
Illeana Douglas trailer commentary (2019, 6 mins)
TV spots
Image galleries: storyboards, deleted scenes, promotional and publicity material
New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Size Reference for Powerhouse The Swimmer
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