Product Details

• Format: Import, NTSC
• Region: All Regions
• Number of discs: 1
• DVD Release Date: January 31, 2006
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000EQ5T60
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #354,784 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, April 19, 2006

By 

Charles Henry Blackledge "Chuck" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Summer Storm (Pal/Region 0) (DVD)

I had the pleasure of Seeing "Sommersturm" in Germany in german 2 years ago. This movie is without a doubt, hands down the best gay coming of age film I have ever seen. Think back to "The summer when everything changed" when you were 16 or 17 and this movie will hold a special place in your heart as it does mine.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars cute movie, April 8, 2006

By 

Johnny T. Townsend (Seattle) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Summer Storm (Pal/Region 0) (DVD)

At first I was a little hesitant about seeing another movie about young gays. It seems there is so much focus on youth and beauty. But since this is a coming out story, it works. The lead seems completely believable and charming despite a couple of unkind actions he makes as he lashes out in pain and confusion. The gay rowing team is fun to watch, and it is nice to see that the coach of the protagonist's team is not homophobic when he meets the gay team. Despite the pain of the main character, there is a lot of humor, and while this film may not be a classic, it is one I can see more than once. It is basically a feel-good film and was a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Quiet Before, The Turbulence of, and The Aftermath Following a Storm, January 16, 2007

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Summer Storm (Pal/Region 0) (DVD)

Teenage hormones are at peak level in this nice little German film 'Sommersturm' or 'Summer Storm' and the result is a set of mini-crises that tumble young people all the time: first sexual attraction, the ambiguity of close friendships, the trials and lessons of first sexual encounters, and the manner in which teenagers survive their sexual decisions amongst their peers.

Director Marco Kreuzpaintner and writer (with Thomas Bahmann) set this attractive coming of age film on the playing field of crewing, a sport that demands full attention and intense cooperation from every team mate. Two teams from Bavaria, one of boys and the other of girls, take off for a summer camp training session where they encounter another crew from Berlin, a crew that just happens to be composed of gay young boys. The Bavarian boys' crew team is lead by two long-term friends - Tobi (Robert Stadlober) and Achim (Kostja Ullmann) - and while their friendship is strong, Tobi is discovering that his feelings for Achim go far deeper. The two share stories about their girlfriends - Anke (and beautiful Alicja Bachleda-Curus) and Sandra (Miriam Morgenstern) who head the girl's crew team. At the summer camp Tobi's feelings for Achim deepen and the influence of the team of very handsome young gay boys on the opposing team only serve to heighten the tension. Tobi eventually has an encounter with a particularly tender and understanding Leo (Marlon Kittel) and as the questions begin to arise a violent storm makes the entire group flee for cover. The manner in which Tobi comes out to his team and to Achim is the very tender dénouement of the story. The storm raging in Tobi (as well as in other members of the team) settles into the aftermath.

Some viewers may find this film too explicit for general viewing but for this viewer the encounters all around remain tasteful and touching. The director seems to be telling us that the 'first experience', whether that is gay or straight, is or can be traumatic as well as fulfilling. The cast does well: there are many very beautiful young boys and girls who play their roles with a natural simplicity and allure. For a young director (only 29 years old and this is his fifth film) Kreutzpainter seems to have a solid future. Grady Harp, January 07