SUMMER CITY is a low budget independent film from Australia. The story involves a quartet of young men who pack up their gear for a journey of boozing, surfing, girls and fun, but who eventually find something much darker instead: betrayal, revenge, and murder. This film's shortcomings are all too obviously a result of the low budget, which leads to standard point-and-shoot direction and hurried scripting. A lot of the story seems rather padded and it takes a while for the proper narrative to kick in, although it gets interesting when it does so. This is mostly worth watching to see now-famous actors in early roles, notably Mel Gibson and John Jarratt.
15 Reviews
Trash yes, but watchable trash
mab848527 August 2003
Everyone has to start somewhere and this was where Mel started. Plot is alright,the acting quality is variable, certainly John Jarrett, Steve Bisley (and Mel) have done better but I found the movie entertaining and watchable - just don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.
Mel outlived this one ??? Actors everywhere, there is hope, just carry on.
puck_claes13 April 2001
By sheer chance I found a movie titled "Sex, Blood and Rock&Roll" in a low price range of DVD's. It happened to be "Summer City" for sale under a new name. Curious I bought it. What a surprise ! Never saw a worse film than this one. The picture was exhausting to watch as over-exposed parts alternate with ... less over-exposed parts. The sound was incredibly bad, sometimes painfully sharp, mostly dull. The story : let's say, there was a story, and a good screenwriter or director probably would have been able to make something of it. Not this one. The only thing that seemed okay was Mel Gibson. What a mercy for each movie adept, he outlived this one. Conclusion, there is hope for any good actor, even after a bad start, just carry on.
I directed Summer City and have never spoken about it until now
cfraser2 August 2000
It's been 23 years since I have commented on this film. I was the director and it was my first film. As far as I was concerned it was never finished. Despite the ludicrously low budget it could have been so much better than it turned out. All the leading actors fell into a serious argument with the producer and refused to continue working on the project. I never expected to see it on the screen. The producer and editor padded out the film with meaningless bits of irrelevant stock footage to make the required length of 87mins to qualify for a feature film. As you can imagine I was disappointed and embarrassed. Some parts of the movie actually work very well. There was a lot of spontaneous adlib especially between Mel and Steve. The first time we saw Mel in closeup in a viewing theater someone said "He's going to be a star". I thought so too. One day I'll tell the whole story. It's more complex and funny than the film itself.
Well, Mel looks cute anyway.
Jill-6813 September 2000
The only reason to see this film is to get a glimpse of Mel Gibson at the beginning of his career. Unfortunately he is not the star, and the other characters are not interesting enough to carry the film. The plot is very thin, and the sound is almost unintelligible. However, Mel looks cute in his swim trunks. It's worth a bowl of popcorn and a giggle.
Interesting...
my_roman10 May 2005
This movie was definitely not as great as Braveheart :). But it is interesting to watch for the low-quality. For example, one part of the movie you can not even see the characters it is so dark, and the talking is mumbled; The plot line didn't even really start till about half way through the movie; and the climate did not happen till three minutes to the end, no jokes. But it was funny in the low-quality way, and there were funny moments in the movie.
If you watch movies for good character development, special effects or plots; I advise you not to see this movie, unless you are open minded.
For all you Mel Gibson fans, like me, you should really see this movie. They might not have it at your local video store, but make sure that you check under all the movie titles it goes by.
-Melk
If you watch movies for good character development, special effects or plots; I advise you not to see this movie, unless you are open minded.
For all you Mel Gibson fans, like me, you should really see this movie. They might not have it at your local video store, but make sure that you check under all the movie titles it goes by.
-Melk
No sunshine here
videorama-759-8593914 February 2017
I couldn't believe how bad this movie was. It was like a rude surprise of a movie. It moves along the lines of Palm Beach or Pure S..t which is one of the worst Oz flicks I've seen. This movie done in the same trashy vein, where dialogue is like conversation, and scenes and clips are stung together, actors suddenly in different spots of scene. It is as though, it has all been done as a film student project, which in hindsight, scarily couldn't be far from the truth. The film again deals with the surf scene, again like in Puberty Blues, the male characters aren't that likable, especially Bisley's, rooting anything in sight, who suffers a tragic demise near the end, for knocking up a girl. SC gets so trashy at times, it almost borders on unwatchable, where from an appreciative style, manifests itself, at being so bad. Jarratt, the film's star is the only likable lad out of the foursome, cause he's not a pig like his mates. Even Mel is hard to warm to in this, only half likable if best. Jarratt's character is more adult and respective of women, while he's a conservative type too. The performances are only standard in this, and the high point, if you can call it that, rests in the last ten minutes, when the film takes a tragic and dramatic turn, conveying a consequential message about being young, insensitive and reckless. Check out Mel's dialogue take on surfing. This really bad, trashy pic, won't go down as one to remember, only for it's really trashy style, which is in abundance.
Overall a good start for the career of THE MAN
NathanJGB12 April 2005
This is a very slow moving movie, and the plot is very erratic. The story make very little sense, and is only worth watching once, just to say you did. The movie quality gets 2 out of 10. The acting gets only a 3. I give the plot a 1, the story a 1, and the cover a 1. The 'thriller' connotation is ludicrous. There is not much else to say about this movie other than it was Mel Gibson's first movie. He did a fairly good job, and went on to do bigger and better things. I applaud Mel for choosing this movie, considering it was not very thrilling. Mel Gibson is THE MAN and will continue that way until he retires. I will be reviewing all of his movies because I am collecting them. This is my first Mel Gibson review.
From the producer to the director
intertropic20 February 2005
Hi Chris Fraser, I was prompted to respond to your IMDb comments on Summer City by a festival executive who has selected the film to play in the Sanctuary Cove film festival. Firstly, the entire Summer City production (writing, producing and playing one of the characters) has some fond memories for me. Hey Chris, yes, it was tough, being on location without a budget, without a full professional crew, and sleeping on the floor of an RSL hall, but the input and energy from all those that were with us in Catherine Hill Bay was fantastic. They gave it their all, actors and crew members alike. Sure we would all like to have the knowledge and experience that one gleans over the years, but as an early attempt at producing a movie without much money, and without all the pros and cons was quite an achievement, and as one reader says, it's a little gem. And to me, that's a compliment. I'd like to suggest you maybe wrong on a couple of statements. Firstly, the film wasn't strung together by the producer and the editor. We worked our backsides off for ten months trying to cut a film together without the coverage we would have liked. I didn't blame you for that, you did the best you could under the circumstances. Nor did the actors refuse to continue working on the project. You may remember, you instigated a meeting during the editing process, and brought John Jarrat along, but it didn't go anywhere when I spelt out the costs to date. Soon after, I picked Mel Gibson up from NIDA personally, and shot an opening scene of he (Scollop)and I(Robbie)walking down the street discussing Sandys(John Jarrat's)forthcoming engagement and the upcoming weekend away. (It wasn't used as we had a sound problem)There wasn't any stock footage other than the opening credit sequence. Klaus Jaritz shot the second unit material, long after you had gone. Yes. There were some great add lib moments, all credit to you and the actors, and there were scenes that were really memorable. (Thanks for that.) Check out the new release DVD I'm sure some of the things you suggested that went on when the cameras weren't rolling are in the 'Behind The Scenes' 30 minute documentary, that accompanies the film. Surfs up. P.A
Flawed but watchable
nephihaha3 July 2006
Whoever wrote the last review simply doesn't get the film.
While there's a happy-go-lucky veneer to everything, like the surfing, the sex and "larrikin" behaviour (wild young lads basically), that's mostly on the surface. The scenery is actually far from cheery... in fact, it is used on some occasions in ways that could have been straight out of "Twin Peaks" (especially the shots of the sun rising over the sea), if it wasn't for the climate. The menacing Bush (no pun intended) is a common feature in Aussie films, perhaps too much so.
As for "slurred slang", this is how Australians speak. Sorry! There is only one part where I couldn't make it out, which is a rude remark Boo makes to a girl in a greasy burger joint. If Americans really need subtitles to work out Australian dialogue, I suggest they go and study the language at night class.
Mel Gibson is indeed wrongly touted as the star of the film on the packaging, but he is by no means a "very minor role", in fact he is one of the group of four young men on whom the action is centred, and who witnesses (and keeps quiet about) certain things which are integral to the plot.
Also the last reviewer is wrong about it being set in the seventies - it was made then, but from the title sequence, and the music which gets played it's clearly meant to be the sixties! So, I reckon the film has its flaws, but it's an interesting piece - if only to see Mel in his "introducing" role.
While there's a happy-go-lucky veneer to everything, like the surfing, the sex and "larrikin" behaviour (wild young lads basically), that's mostly on the surface. The scenery is actually far from cheery... in fact, it is used on some occasions in ways that could have been straight out of "Twin Peaks" (especially the shots of the sun rising over the sea), if it wasn't for the climate. The menacing Bush (no pun intended) is a common feature in Aussie films, perhaps too much so.
As for "slurred slang", this is how Australians speak. Sorry! There is only one part where I couldn't make it out, which is a rude remark Boo makes to a girl in a greasy burger joint. If Americans really need subtitles to work out Australian dialogue, I suggest they go and study the language at night class.
Mel Gibson is indeed wrongly touted as the star of the film on the packaging, but he is by no means a "very minor role", in fact he is one of the group of four young men on whom the action is centred, and who witnesses (and keeps quiet about) certain things which are integral to the plot.
Also the last reviewer is wrong about it being set in the seventies - it was made then, but from the title sequence, and the music which gets played it's clearly meant to be the sixties! So, I reckon the film has its flaws, but it's an interesting piece - if only to see Mel in his "introducing" role.
A good, low budget character study of 1960's era Australian youth
BobH-619 June 2000
With all due respect to the previous reviewer, Mel Gibson is not the star of this 1977 Australian drama, sometimes known as "Coast of Terror." He is, however, very good in his film debut as Scollop, one of four young men on a weekend jaunt set sometime during the early 60's, judging by all the long surfboards and rock music of the era. The real stars are John Jarrat as Sandy, a quiet, introspective young man who is shortly to be married, and Steve Bisley as Boo, whose only focus in life seems to be having a good time, including a brief fling with Sandy's intended. It is the contrast of these two characters and the events that lead to the violent, tragic climax that make the film worth a view.
This is a very low budget film that suffers quite a bit from poor sound recording and inconsistent editing. The poor sound, coupled with very thick Australian accents will prompt American viewers to ask "What did he say?" throughout the film. On the plus side, the acting is very good for a low budget film and the Australian locales really add authenticity.
In addition to Gibson, this was also Bisley's film debut. They would re-team for George Miller's first "Mad Max" film as fellow police officers. In the United States, their Australian accents were dubbed into "American."
This is a very low budget film that suffers quite a bit from poor sound recording and inconsistent editing. The poor sound, coupled with very thick Australian accents will prompt American viewers to ask "What did he say?" throughout the film. On the plus side, the acting is very good for a low budget film and the Australian locales really add authenticity.
In addition to Gibson, this was also Bisley's film debut. They would re-team for George Miller's first "Mad Max" film as fellow police officers. In the United States, their Australian accents were dubbed into "American."
Surf's Up in Summer City
info-408320 February 2005
Firstly, this is an old film so don't expect state of the art production, sound values etc as some reviewers have expected. This film is a warm ride through the past annals of Aussie film history. Mel Gibson's first true role, Steve Bisley in an emergent role...even Abigail, bless her sexy cotton socks makes an appearance. This film was the start of Producer, Phil Avalon's long career in indie film making and he's still doing it today! A sort of surf story wrapped around the road trip of four good friends, this one started a trend which has finally arrived at the point where surf movies are now big screen box office hits. So sure, the acting's not the best, production, direction and audio are poor for our 21st Century ears...but watch it and smile for a lot of talent was squeezed out of this little gem. And, I'd love to hear Chris Fraser's 'behind the scenes' story one day!!
John Jarratt
willjohn12 December 2009
The star of the film was John Jarratt, who freaked a lot of people out a few years ago as Mick Taylor, the psychopathic killer in "Wolf Creek", as well as playing the Sergeant in "Australia".
"Summer City" was one of the films made in the 1970s as Australia tried to get back to rebuilding a film industry that collapsed before World War II as the cinema chains found it cheaper to import films than to pay for local films to be made. Up until the late 1960s Australian Governments had no real interest in films, more important things had to be done. We did not get television until 1956 and if Melbourne had not held the Olympics in that year it probably would have been later.
"Summer City" was one of the films made in the 1970s as Australia tried to get back to rebuilding a film industry that collapsed before World War II as the cinema chains found it cheaper to import films than to pay for local films to be made. Up until the late 1960s Australian Governments had no real interest in films, more important things had to be done. We did not get television until 1956 and if Melbourne had not held the Olympics in that year it probably would have been later.
Mel tops as usual, even though the film itself's not so hot.
rusdavis26 April 1999
Summer City in itself isn't so great, but it's fully worth watching to see stellar Mel in superb form even in his first professional outing, just like he was a class act in his first outing as director in The Man Without A Face, though 16 years more tremendously developed ('77-'93) in his craft. If you fast forward through most of the parts without Mel you won't miss much. Funny how for a supposedly minor part all the "stars" sought out his special character Scollop as if for validation. Already, even without the title, he was the star in his first appearance, and as selfless as ever. What a tremendous guy!
Boring Australian "thriller."
vertigo_1420 May 2004
Viewers won't miss much of the 'Summer City' ('Reign of Fear' for us Yanks) plot if they fastforward to the last forty minutes of this movie, as much of the movie is just filled with scenes that look like minute preparation for a string of Mentos commercials. The ample cheery scenery and happy 70s romp music seem very contradictory to the thriller mood. Add to the mix a indiscernable audio (not that the dialogue matters much, anyways) and slurred slang, it is a pretty boring movie.
Four friends--I'm not sure if they're supposed to be teenagers (none of them look younger than 25, but there's some scenes where they look like they're at a school dance)-- take a road trip to kick back, hit the pubs, and go surfing. Tension builds among the group between Sandy, a quiet young man who is angered by the obnoxious, womanizing Boo who seduces a teenaged girl while on their trip in one of his usual one night stands. Meanwhile, the girl's psychotic dad is also looking for Boo out of revenge for what he did to his daughter. Boo is in for a major wake up call. This is essentially the only substance of the film, a very simple story with no major drama or action, and even a let down ending.
Despite Mel Gibson being heralded as the star of the movie, his named marqueed in large letters, he is pretty inconsequential to the movie, and has a very minor role.
What could've been more like a version of "Deliverance," turned out to be a very boring movie that suffers from many faults as far as story and production values.
Four friends--I'm not sure if they're supposed to be teenagers (none of them look younger than 25, but there's some scenes where they look like they're at a school dance)-- take a road trip to kick back, hit the pubs, and go surfing. Tension builds among the group between Sandy, a quiet young man who is angered by the obnoxious, womanizing Boo who seduces a teenaged girl while on their trip in one of his usual one night stands. Meanwhile, the girl's psychotic dad is also looking for Boo out of revenge for what he did to his daughter. Boo is in for a major wake up call. This is essentially the only substance of the film, a very simple story with no major drama or action, and even a let down ending.
Despite Mel Gibson being heralded as the star of the movie, his named marqueed in large letters, he is pretty inconsequential to the movie, and has a very minor role.
What could've been more like a version of "Deliverance," turned out to be a very boring movie that suffers from many faults as far as story and production values.
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