A Summer Story

A young London lawyer, Frank Ashton, is walking across Dartmoor with a friend when a sprained ankle forces him to stop at a remote farmhouse. What begins as a short stay stretches into several days as he grows close to Megan David, a shy, pretty local under the watchful eye of her aunt and her rough cousin. Ashton and Megan form an unexpected attachment that tests their different backgrounds and the tight social expectations of the rural community, setting up delicate tensions and heartbreaking choices without revealing how things resolve.

Directed by Piers Haggard and released in 1988, the film adapts a story by John Galsworthy with a screenplay credited to Penelope Mortimer. Its production emphasizes period detail and pastoral settings, reflecting its English countryside origins.

The picture did not register as a major commercial success and was seen mostly on the festival and limited theatrical circuit. It found a modest audience rather than large box office returns, fitting how many literary adaptations of the era reached viewers.

Though not a mainstream touchstone, the movie is remembered for its strong cast performances, including an early screen appearance by Jerome Flynn and solid turns from James Wilby and Imogen Stubbs. Its rural visuals and restrained tone have kept it in circulation among fans of British romantic drama and period pieces, often recommended for viewers who appreciate slow, character-focused stories.

Critical reaction was mixed to positive, reflected in an average user rating around 6.0 out of 10. Reviewers tended to praise the film's atmosphere and acting while noting its quiet pace and traditional approach. Major themes include class difference, the clash between city manners and country life, and the fragility of first love when faced with social pressure. The film leans on mood and character detail more than plot twists, asking the audience to sit with the characters rather than be led by spectacle.