The Swimmer

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The Swimmer

PG

1968

1h 35m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

27 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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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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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.

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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.

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

A largely loony but oddly compulsive allegory.

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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.

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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…

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Gary M

@Gmarts Dec 15, 2025

Thought provoking and amazing acting , one of my favourite movies, thought provoking stuff

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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.

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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.)

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Ed .

@RT01276001 Aug 22, 2025

Excellent film. Get permission before swimming in someone else's pool. Get out of the water before autumn and before people catch on to who you really are.

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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

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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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