Customer Reviews

THERESE AND ISABELLE

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had heard a lot about this film, but i wasn't expecting a whole lot. After all, how could anyone possibly deal with this kind of subject matter thirty years ago? Well, I am completely flabbergasted. This film is far,far more erotic than ninety percent of the so-called "erotic films" being churned out today. The story is simple, almost cliched: a lonely young girl is sent away to a boarding school where she strikes up a friendship with another girl in a similar family situation. This friendship quickly grows into a sexual attraction, and...well you guess the rest. The weird thing about this film is that I actually cared about the characters. Being an average heterosexual male, I usually feel an irresistable urge to fast-forward to the "good parts" on movies like this.But the story here is not simply an excuse to get two women to shuck there clothes and go at it. This is an honest-to-God love story. And what a love story it is. One minor quibble is that the actresses playing the two main characters are mite old to be convincing schoolgirls. But I suppose this was a necessary move on the directors part to get the film made. It's a minor point,and never really detracts from the film. The sexiest scene in the movie comes where the two girls are reading poetry to each other,fully clothed,and barely touching. The looks they give each other could melt concrete. I recommend this film to open-minded viewers who are tired of the hard-core garbage that is passing for sexy these days. You won't be disappointed.

I saw this movie a few years ago for the first time. It's now part of my film library. Such a provocative film for 1968. This film was way before it's time. I strongly recommend this film if you enjoy Lesbian films with a plot. The film is extremely erotic with the dialog alone. You'll get your fill of nudity too. Very well done.

This movie is one of the most sensual and touching movies about first love between two girls. When I first picked up the video, I did not expect more than light entertainment. After all, what can you expect from a 1960's movie depicting such a taboo subject! But I was pleasantly surprised. The setting is classic: an all girl school! You are a witness to an all encompassing first romance and erotic relationship of two young girls. Without hesitation, they both follow their hearts exploring each other. I expected them to be caught at any moment during their carefree adventures... The black & white cinematography gives this movie great character. Switching from young girl to reminiscing woman makes 'Therese and Isabelle' interesting and captivating. I recommend this video to all sensual people!

This movie is one of the most sensitive handlings of first love. The acting is so well done you suffer along with the characters as they awaken to their mutual feelings. The narration is beautiful and the scenes tasteful but erotic.

I was really surprised by this movie. I expected a cheesy 1960's adult movie. But this movie is truly something special. It is a tender, touching and yes, sexy movie about first love. The acting is superb, especially by heartbreakingly beautiful Essy Persson. The editing, photography and direction is superb. A wonderful movie that reminds one not only of the beauty of love,but also its pain and heartbreak.

Radley Metzger at his best! This is a haunting and deeply moving tale about love, sexuality and adolescence. Camerawork and editing are superb. And Essy Persson as Therese is just marvellous. The real downside is the presentation of this movie. The DVD is widescreen (slighly cropped, i think) but the picture is too soft. This is a shame because this beautiful movie deserves a first class presentation!

Therese is a girl who has been betrayed by her mother who said they would not part, but ended up getting married and sending Therese to an all-girl's school, There Therese meets and falls in love with Isabelle, another student, and together they fall in love and have a lesbian sexual relationship. Although they vow never to part, Isabelle is pulled out of school and the relationship is ended.

The film is black-and-white. There is a lot of emotional power in the movie in the relationship between the two girls. This is not a pornographic film at all, but it does have its erotic moments. The two girls are seen totally nude from the back and nude from the waist up from the front. There are no up-close explicit shots; the film relies on emotions more than on graphic activities.

Therese has been through a lot and the viewer may feel end up feeling sorry for her. I, for one, would like to know how she adapted to life at the school after Isabelle left.

During the love-making scenes there is usually a voice-over with phrases from the book and those do tend to be rather over-flowerly. The musical background is acceptable. Again, though, the focus of the movie is on the two girls falling in love with each other more than anything else.

I think that it's a wonderful movie, something that deeply affected me when I first saw it, and it still affects me today.

Considering the time period, I did not expect the depth of love or erotisism that this film so cleverly and masterfully has shown. If you have ever loved someone that is no longer in your life and have memories that haunt you, this movie has successfully depicted those thoughts and feelings. The only unbelievable part of the movie was the "lesbian lust" of Isabelle--obviously she wants us to know that she is heterosexual. But this can be overlooked as Therese's acting (played by Emmy Person) is superb and leads you into her private thoughts and feelings as if you were living her life. This film is a poignient, moving and haunting piece that will not be forgotten. A classic masterpiece. I highly reccommend it!

I didn't expect much when I popped in Therese and Isabelle but was quickly swept away by the film. I was stunned and gratified to see an older film depicting lesbian love is such an adult, romantic, and erotic way. Comparing it to today's gay films, all I can say is they could really learn something about storytelling and film making from this film.

A definite 'date' movie for all chick loving chicks. I loved it.

I saw this as two girls learning ther own sexuality through each other and would rate it as a PG-13 which would give it 2 stars. The black and white visuals of the country side were good. The plot should have been greatly expanded to make it memorable.