The Sandpiper
Theatrical release poster by Howard Terpning
Directed byVincente Minnelli
Screenplay by
Story byMartin Ransohoff
Produced byMartin Ransohoff
Starring
CinematographyMilton R. Krasner
Edited byDavid Bretherton
Music byJohnny Mandel
Production
company
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • June 23, 1965 (1965-06-23) (US)
Running time
117 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$5 million[1]
Box office$13.6 million[1][2]

The Sandpiper is a 1965 American drama film directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, the third of eleven films starring the power couple.[3]

Plot

Laura Reynolds is a free-spirited, unwed single mother living with her young son Danny in an isolated beach house in Big Sur, California. She makes a modest living as an artist and homeschools 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 incidents, one of indecently touching a girl his age, and the shooting of a fawn to see whether it's a fun thing to do. In his mother's eyes these things are innocent expressions of his natural curiosity and conscience rather than delinquency.

The judge orders her to send the boy to an Episcopal boarding school where Dr. Edward Hewitt is headmaster and his wife Claire teaches, or the judge will send Danny to reform school. Edward and Claire are happily married with two student sons boarding away from home at a college-preparatory school, 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 fleeting 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 Danny but the police quickly catch them and take the boy away to the school. He has trouble fitting in because his mother's homeschooling has placed him far in advance of boys his age in many subjects; the standard course of instruction at the school leaves him restless and bored. At Claire's suggestion, Edward visits Danny's mother to learn more about his upbringing.

Laura's unconventional morals disturb Edward because they conflict with his religious beliefs. After visiting her several more times he finds her irresistible and cannot get her out of his mind. They begin a passionate affair. 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 his wife Claire. He struggles with guilt, while she urges him to accept their love. Meanwhile, Danny flourishes after Edward relaxes school rules and allows the boy to choose more advanced classes.

Ward Hendricks, a jealous former lover of Laura, who had paid for her two years of art studies in exchange for her being his mistress, exposes the affair by making a remark to Edward within earshot of his wife. At first Claire is distraught, but later they quietly discuss it in the light of how their lives diverged from the idealism of the early years of their marriage. Edward declares that he still loves Claire and that he will end the affair. Still, they agree to a temporary separation while each decides what they want to do.

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. 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. His mother has a moment of pain but realizes Danny's need to be independent and agrees. Danny asks Laura to come to a church event to hear him and the choir sing. She is uncomfortable being at the church or near Edward and Claire, but because she loves Danny and wants to support him, she agrees. During the service, Edward resigns his position at the school and the church. In his resignation speech, he mentions some of the things he'll miss and although they sound generic, they are things he and Laura shared. Tears fill her eyes. After the service, Edward sees Laura and tells her he will be leaving the area and traveling down the coast. As a parting gift, Edward has arranged for Danny to attend school tuition-free. All Laura can do is look at Edward with tears in her eyes. On Edward's way out of town, he stops at Laura's place for a silent farewell. She and Danny are down on the beach. Edward up on the bluff looks down at them. Laura turns from her painting, looks up and smiles, then he turns and walks away.

Cast

Burton (left) in conversation with Minnelli (with cigarette) during filming

Production

The film was originally written for Kim Novak.[1]

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 the restaurant Nepenthe.[4]

Theme

The theme music for the film was "The Shadow of Your Smile", by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. It was sung by an uncredited choral group, and the tune was used throughout the film, featuring the trumpet of Jack Sheldon.[5] It won the 1965 Academy Award for Best Original Song, and a recording by Tony Bennett won the 1966 Grammy Award for Song of the Year.[6]

Nudity

Taylor was filmed topless for the film but the scene was cut prior to the film's release.[7]

Real-life parallels

The film was released at the height of Taylor and Burton's fame. It capitalized on their celebrity 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.

Paperback novelization

Pocket Books published a novelization of the screenplay by Robert Hemenway, who would continue to write fiction and would later become a renowned American educator and biographer. The Sandpiper was his sole media tie-in book.[8]

Reception

The film received negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a rating of 21% based on 28 reviews.[9]

By 1976 Variety estimated the film had earned $7 million in theatrical rentals in North America.[10]

Awards and nominations

Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
Academy Awards Best Original Song "The Shadow of Your Smile"
Music by Johnny Mandel;
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster		 Won [11]
Golden Globe Awards Best Original Score Johnny Mandel Nominated [12]
Best Original Song "The Shadow of Your Smile"
Music by Johnny Mandel;
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster		 Nominated
Grammy Awards Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Show Johnny Mandel Won [13]
Laurel Awards Top Female Dramatic Performance Elizabeth Taylor Nominated [14]
Top Song "The Shadow of Your Smile"
Music by Johnny Mandel;
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster		 Won

The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Haber, J. (Jan 14, 1968). "'Baggy pants' ransohoff changes suits, image". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 155791666.
  2. ↑ "The Sandpiper, Box Office Information". The Numbers. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  3. ↑ The Sandpiper at IMDb
  4. ↑ "Filming the Sandpiper". Nepenthe.com. June 26, 2017.
  5. ↑ Yanow, Scott. "Johnny Mandel: The Sandpiper". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  6. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). Guinness World Records Limited. p. 135. ISBN 978-1-904994-10-7.
  7. ↑ "A Topless Liz 'Promised' by WB". Variety. December 21, 1966. p. 1.
  8. ↑ The Sandpiper : Original 1965 MGM Movie Pressbook
  9. ↑ "The Sandpiper". Rotten Tomatoes.
  10. ↑ "All-time Film Rental Champs", Variety, 7 January 1976 p 44
  11. ↑ "The 38th Academy Awards (1966) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Archived from the original on 2015-01-11. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
  12. ↑ "The Sandpiper – Golden Globes". HFPA. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  13. ↑ "8th Annual GRAMMY Awards". Grammy.com. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  14. ↑ "Laurel Awards 1966" (PDF). elkesommeronline.com. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  15. ↑ "AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs" (PDF). American Film Institute. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  16. ↑ "AFI's 100 Years of Film Scores Nominees" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-08-06.
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