The Sandpiper
| The Sandpiper | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster by Howard Terpning | |
| Directed by | Vincente Minnelli |
| Screenplay by | Irene Kamp Louis Kamp Michael Wilson Dalton Trumbo |
| Story by | Martin Ransohoff |
| Produced by | Martin Ransohoff |
| Starring | Elizabeth Taylor Richard Burton Eva Marie Saint Charles Bronson |
| Cinematography | Milton R. Krasner |
| Edited by | David Bretherton |
| Music by | Johnny Mandel |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 117 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $5.3 million |
| Box office | $13,691,111[1] |
The Sandpiper is a 1965 film starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, directed by Vincente Minnelli.[2]
Plot
Laura Reynolds (Taylor) is a free-spirited, unwed single mother living with her young son Danny (Morgan Mason) in an isolated California beach house. She makes a modest living as an artist and home-schools her son out of concern that he will be compelled to follow stifling conventional social norms in a regular school. Danny has gotten into some trouble with the law through two minor incidents, which are in his mother's eyes innocent expressions of his natural curiosity and conscience rather than delinquency. Now with a third incident a judge (Torin Thatcher) orders her to send the boy to an Episcopal boarding school where Dr. Edward Hewitt (Burton) is headmaster, and his wife Claire (Eva Marie Saint) teaches. Edward and Claire are happily married with two young sons, but their life has become routine and their youthful idealism has been tamed by the need to raise funds for the school and please wealthy benefactors.
At an initial interview, there is a momentary immediate attraction between Laura and Edward, but this quickly turns into tension brought on by their greatly differing world views and Laura's dislike of religion. Finally she storms out. She attempts to flee the area with her son but they are quickly picked up by police who take Danny to the school. He initially has trouble fitting in because his mother's home schooling has left him far in advance of boys his age in several subjects; the standard course of instruction at Edward's school leaves him restless and bored. At Claire's suggestion, Edward visits Laura to learn more about Danny and his upbringing.
Laura's unconventional morals initially disturb Edward, as they conflict with his religious training. After visiting her several more times he finds that he wants her very much and cannot get her out of his mind. They begin a passionate extramarital affair. At first Laura tells herself that Edward is a fling like her other lovers, but to her surprise she finds herself falling in love with him, becoming jealous of Claire. He even attempts to support Laura's career by offering her a commission to design the school chapel's new stained glass windows. He struggles with guilt, while she urges him to accept the rightness of their love. Meanwhile, Danny flourishes after Edward relaxes school rules and allows the boy to choose more advanced classes.
A jealous former lover (Robert Webber) of Laura's exposes the affair by making a remark to Edward within earshot of Claire. At first Claire is distraught, but later they quietly discuss it in the light of how their lives have diverged from the idealistic religious fervor of the first years of their marriage. Edward says that he still loves her and that he will end the affair. They decide to separate for a while. When Edward tells Laura that he confessed to his wife, she is outraged at what she perceives as an invasion of her privacy, and they part angrily. He resigns his position at the school and decides to travel. The school year over, Laura tells Danny that they can move away, but he has put down roots at the school and wants to stay there. As a parting gift, Edward arranges for Danny to attend tuition-free. She has a moment of pain but realizes Danny's need to make his own choices and agrees. On Edward's way out of town, he stops at Laura's place for a silent farewell, she and the boy down on the beach, he high up on the bluff above looking down at them.
Cast
- Elizabeth Taylor as Laura Reynolds
- Richard Burton as Dr. Edward Hewitt
- Eva Marie Saint as Claire Hewitt
- Charles Bronson as Cos Erickson
- Robert Webber as Ward Hendricks
- James Edwards as Larry Brant
- Torin Thatcher as Judge Thompson
- Tom Drake as Walter Robinson
- Douglas Henderson as Paul Sutcliff
- Morgan Mason as Danny Reynolds
Production
Title
The character Laura Reynolds nurses a sandpiper with a broken wing, as Edward Hewitt looks on. The bird lives in her home until it is healed and then flies free, though it comes back occasionally. This sandpiper is used as a central symbol in the movie, illustrating the themes of growth and freedom.
Location
The Sandpiper is one of the very few major studio pictures ever filmed in Big Sur, and the story is specifically set there. The film includes many location shots of Big Sur landmarks, including Pfeiffer Beach, Point Lobos State Reserve, Bixby Creek Bridge, the Coast Gallery (where Laura exhibits her artwork), and a pivotal scene shot on a sound stage built to resemble the restaurant Nepenthe.[3]
Trivia
The German singer Nico was an extra in the Nepenthe scene. The film also features an early performance by Charles Bronson as a beatnik sculptor.
Real-Life Parallels
The film was released at the height of Taylor and Burton's fame. It capitalized on their notoriety as one of the world's most famous couples and their well-known romantic adventures. Although they portrayed adulterous lovers, they were married on March 15, 1964, shortly before filming began. The film's theme of adultery closely mirrored their own personal lives at the time, as Taylor very publicly conducted an affair with Burton while married to Eddie Fisher, and Burton had done the same while married to Welsh actress Sybil Williams.
Home media
The DVD, released in 2006, includes two short films the filmmakers shot along with the movie, one about Big Sur and its artist colony, featuring narration by Burton, and another about the bust of Elizabeth Taylor that was commissioned from a Big Sur artist for use as a prop in the movie.
Awards
The Sandpiper won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "The Shadow Of Your Smile".
References
- ^ "The Sandpiper, Box Office Information". The Numbers. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ The Sandpiper at IMDb
- ^ Hanning, Scott. "The Central Coast Traveler". Retrieved 2012-05-18.
External links
- The Sandpiper at IMDb
- The Sandpiper film trailer at Turner Classic Movies Media Room
- The Sandpiper featurette at Turner Classic Movies Media Room (making of the film)
- The Sandpiper opening titles of film
- Big Sur and the Sandpiper