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The Swimmer

Play trailer Poster for The Swimmer PG 1968 1h 35m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Well-off ad man Ned Merrill (Burt Lancaster) is visiting a friend when he notices the abundance of backyard pools that populate their upscale suburb. Ned suddenly decides that he'd like to travel the eight miles back to his own home by simply swimming across every pool in town. Soon, Ned's journey becomes harrowing; at each house, he is somehow confronted with a reminder of his romantic, domestic and economic failures, until a final visit with an old flame (Janice Rule) leaves him devastated.
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The Swimmer

The Swimmer

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Critics Consensus

The Swimmer dives into its penetrating indictment of 1960s suburbia with a career highlight performance from Burt Lancaster and evocatively lensed imagery.

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Critics Reviews

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Noel Murray The Dissolve Apr 1, 2014
4/5
As effectively as almost any movie ever made about American suburbia, The Swimmer gets the contentment that comes with material success[...] And it gets how the fantasy is hard to sustain. Go to Full Review J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Oct 30, 2007
A resounding commercial flop, this has since been recognized as a signature 60s film, prescient in its view of American self-deception. Go to Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out Jun 24, 2006
A largely loony but oddly compulsive allegory. Go to Full Review Sean Burns Crooked Marquee Jun 3, 2024
It’s the kind of movie that tends to haunt viewers with memories that linger for years after the credits roll. There’s simply no shaking this Lancaster performance. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Jun 16, 2023
4/5
…The Swimmer’s social commentary is a little dated now perhaps, but the acerbic portrayal of the toxic American male in decline is captured in a way that should really sing for modern viewers… Go to Full Review Mitchell Beaupre Paste Magazine May 15, 2023
10/10
Burt Lancaster’s performance is arguably his very best, with the actor recognizing his unique positioning to capture the rotted heart of this quickly evaporating creature. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Oct 28, 2026 The Swimmer is a 4.5 star Movie, why would anyone give it a *1* star rating??? See more Do L @Dolea Aug 18, 2026 One of the worst movies I've ever had to sit through. The whole premise is ridiculous. Don't waste your time because you will lose IQ points before you're done. See more Sound D @Sounddude Jan 1, 2026 A strange but compelling film that keeps you watching, wondering what in the world is going on here. Burt Lancaster is perfect as the advertising mogul who decides to swim his way home, encountering neighbors by their pools. Only as he continues to go from pool to pool, does the audience begin to realize that not all is as it seems, even with the bizarre idea to begin with. A must see for Lancaster fans if you can view it for free somewhere. See more Gary M @Gmarts Dec 15, 2025 Thought provoking and amazing acting , one of my favourite movies, thought provoking stuff See more Glenn M @RT19310250 Nov 20, 2025 Intriguing film with Birt Lancaster playing a complicated man with a problem, when you start to watch you just keep on watching it to find the outcome which never really comes. See more Leo P @RT23366938 Oct 18, 2025 This heartbreaker that begins with a casual encounter among old friends, grows increasingly disturbing when it becomes clear that Ned Merrill is not the man he seems to be. ( It is my understanding that Burt Lancaster couldn't swim prior to filming this movie. He definitely learned how to swim, but not how to dive. There goes my half star.) See more Read all reviews
The Swimmer

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Cast & Crew

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Frank Perry

Director

Sydney Pollack

Director

Burt Lancaster

Ned Merrill

Janet Landgard

Julie Ann Hooper

Janice Rule

Shirley Abbott

Tony Bickley

Donald Westerhazy

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The Swimmer

The Swimmer (1968) The Swimmer (1968) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Well-off ad man Ned Merrill (Burt Lancaster) is visiting a friend when he notices the abundance of backyard pools that populate their upscale suburb. Ned suddenly decides that he'd like to travel the eight miles back to his own home by simply swimming across every pool in town. Soon, Ned's journey becomes harrowing; at each house, he is somehow confronted with a reminder of his romantic, domestic and economic failures, until a final visit with an old flame (Janice Rule) leaves him devastated.
Director
Frank Perry, Sydney Pollack
Producer
Roger H. Lewis, Frank Perry
Screenwriter
John Cheever
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 15, 1968, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 25, 2010
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Flat (1.85:1)
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