Long Summer Of George Adams

While the film does lack the richness & scope of the novel, as a previous reviewer said, I'm going to review it solely on its own merits as a film. And on those merits, it's a good film about a man at midlife, faced with the inevitable changes that time bring both to people & the time in which they live.It's easy to see why Oklahoma-born James Garner would want to make this film. Not only because of his childhood in similar territory (both geographical & emotional), but because it gave him a chance to portray a more slice-of-life character with details & depth. He does just that with real feeling, aided by a good supporting cast, particularly the luminous Joan Hackett as his wife.There are no major calamities or overtly "dramatic" scenes, just the everyday ups & downs of life … which are often surprising & unexpected. I don't want to say too much about plot specifics; better for the viewers to discover those for themselves, in the same leisurely (but strangely urgent) way that George Adams himself does. It's one of those stories where some might say "nothing happens" … and while that's probably true in a way, it's not at all a bad thing. In fact, it's precisely what makes the film so good, with its unfolding of one man's life across a slowly rolling summer.I remember watching this TV-movie when it was first aired, and I've hoped for decades since that it would be released on DVD. Now at last it is, and it's just as good seen again as it was in memory. And being that much older myself, it now resonates far more deeply for me. Recommended!

It was ok. Not as good as some of Garners movies.

If you like old trains and James Garner, this is a gem.

Good story but a limited telling when compared with the book. Always enjoy James Garner's performances though.

Good to have another DVD of James Garner. Enjoyed his acting.

Such a pleasure to see a Garner movie for the first time. It was really a nice little story. Cast was great!

This was filmed in my hometown and I am an extra in this movie, so I'm a bit partial with my ratings. I bought it to show my kids.

I love it.

I was lucky enough to tape this over 20 years ago when it was on TV.I loved it from the first and have been trying to get it on DVD ever since.There is nothing flashy or unusual about it,its just one of those films that once seen you never forget.Based on a very popular book (in America) and set in 1952,its the story of a railroad worker who maintains steam trains who knows his job is doomed due to the advent of diesel and what happens to him during a long hot summer.Encapsulated like that,it sounds very ho-hum but its not.Its funny,moving,insightful and very very entertaining.It was made as a TV movie and with James Garner in the title role,i think its the best thing he ever did.Joan Hackett plays his wife and both of them are superb.Films such as this would never find an audience in the cinema but as a TV movie,its perfect.This is turning out to be a good year for me as both this and Crazy From the Heart,with Christine Lahti,another TV movie I loved are now available on DVD.I am a happy man.

Good film to pass some time no problems with the order must see for any fans

Generally a good movie, the kind you watch with a bowl of hot soup... Warm and comforting