Product Details

• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304697325
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #512,774 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Therese und Isabell" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Radley Metzger's most acclaimed film is a melancholy tale of a woman wandering through the landscape of her memory to relive the joys and sorrows of the first love of her adolescence. We flash back on the young Therese (Essy Persson), who has grown up as the only person in her single mother's life, but due to her mother's abrupt marriage she has now been banished from the family home to a finishing school. Feeling abandoned, Therese becomes friends with the vivacious and lively Isabelle (Anna Gaël), but their relationship grows past friendship to love, and together they taste the forbidden fruit of sex. Based on the autobiographical novel Le Batarde by Violette Leduc, Metzger's handsome black-and-white film (elegantly shot by Hans Jura) is constructed as a prismatic set of flashbacks, constructed not in chronological order but rather along thematic lines, intercut with the adult Therese revisiting the ghosts of her past in the now-deserted school. The tasteful restraint of the first half gives way to discreet sexual explorations and finally nudity, which may be troubling to some viewers in light of the age of the characters (who are played by adults), but Metzger never exploits the situation. The poignant scenes have a tenderness and raw emotion that captures the mix of excitement, fear, and confusion of adolescence, and ultimately the film becomes about the tragedy of loss that continues to haunt the adult Therese. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars one of the sexiest movies I have ever seen, August 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Therese und Isabell (VHS Tape)

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.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An old film but a goodie!, March 16, 2002

By 

studiorow "studiorow" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: THERESE AND ISABELLE (DVD)

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.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Therese and Isabelle, April 4, 2000

By 

Ilona (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Therese und Isabell (VHS Tape)

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!