The Swimmer

Explore the extraordinary and everyday world of gardens in a specially curated series of films, screening in collaboration with V&A Dundee's major exhibition, Garden Futures: Designing in Nature.

In an affluent Connecticut suburb, troubled suburbanite Ned Merrill (Burt Lancaster) confronts all of his dreams...and deceptions. 

One summer morning Ned decides to "swim" home via the pools of his wealthy friends. Along the way he encounters several women from his past: a teenage girl (Janet Landgard), teetering at the edge of adolescence and womanhood; his embittered ex-mistress (Janice Rule); and the wife of an old friend (Kim Hunter). 

Ned's journey is one of embarrassments, humiliation and passion. He passes from one scenario to another until he arrives home to an empty house and to a startling self-revelation.