The Swimming Pool
The Swimming Pool Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 11, 2026
Movie Overview: The Swimming Pool
| Movie | The Swimming Pool |
| Release Year | 1969 |
| Director | Jacques Deray |
| Genre | Drama / Thriller |
| Runtime | 123 minutes (2h 3m) |
| Language | FR |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Swimming Pool (1969) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Swimming Pool are led by Alain Delon . The supporting cast, including Romy Schneider and Maurice Ronet , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Swimming Pool stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Drama narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Swimming Pool has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Swimming Pool
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1969, The Swimming Pool is a Drama, Thriller film directed by Jacques Deray, written by Jean-Claude Carrière. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Alain Delon as Jean-Paul.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Set in a magnificent villa near a sun-drenched St. Tropez, lovers Jean-Paul and Marianne are spending a happy, lazy summer holiday. Their only concern is to gratify their mutual passion - until the day when Marianne invites her former lover and his beautiful teenage daughter to spend a few days with them. From the first moment, a certain uneasiness and tension begin to develop between the four, which soon escalates in a dangerous love-game. The screenplay takes time to develop Alain Delon's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet Alain Delon as Jean-Paul in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life. Jacques Deray builds this foundation carefully, and across its 2h 3m runtime, the pacing proves deliberate.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Alain Delon's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings Alain Delon's arc to its natural conclusion. Jacques Deray's direction provides adequate resolution, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: The Swimming Pool
The Swimming Pool Ending Explained: Directed by Jacques Deray, The Swimming Pool resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Alain Delon. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Swimming Pool reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch The Swimming Pool?
Age Advisory: Rated PG.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Alain Delon or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Where to Watch The Swimming Pool Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
HBO Max
HBO Max Amazon Channel
Criterion Channel🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Fandango At HomeThe Swimming Pool Parents Guide & Age Rating
1969 AdvisoryWondering about The Swimming Pool age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Swimming Pool (1969) is 123 minutes (2h 3m). Directed by Jacques Deray, the film runs for 123 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Swimming Pool is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1969 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Swimming Pool worth watching?
The Swimming Pool is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Swimming Pool parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Swimming Pool identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Swimming Pool (1969)?
The runtime of The Swimming Pool (1969) is 123 minutes (approximately 2h 3m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.



