''Thérèse and Isabelle'' (french: Thérèse et Isabelle) is a 1968
erotic
Eroticism () is a quality that causes sexual feelings, as well as a philosophical contemplation concerning the aesthetics of sexual desire, sensuality, and romantic love. That quality may be found in any form of artwork, including painting, scul ...
drama film directed by
Radley Metzger from a screenplay by Jesse Vogel, based on the 1966 novel ''Thérèse et Isabelle'' by
Violette Leduc
Violette Leduc (7 April 1907 – 28 May 1972) was a French writer.
Early life and education
She was born in Arras, Pas de Calais, France, on 7 April 1907. She was the illegitimacy, illegitimate daughter of a servant girl, Berthe Leduc, and And ...
.
Plot
Two young girls grow up together and share affectionate intimacies in a Swiss boarding school for girls.
Cast
*
Essy Persson
Essy Persson (born Essy Ingeborg Vilhelmina Persson, 15 June 1941 in Gothenburg, Sweden) is a Swedish film actress most noted for her role in the sexploitation film ''I, a Woman''.
Career
Persson made her film debut as the lead in Mac Ahlberg's D ...
as Thérèse
*
Anna Gaël
Anna Abigail Thynn, Marchioness of Bath (née Gyarmathy; 27 September 1943 – 17 September 2022), styled as Viscountess Weymouth from 1969 and 1992, also known by her stage name Anna Gaël, was a Hungarian-British actress and war correspondent ...
as Isabelle
*
Barbara Laage
Barbara Laage (30 July 1920 – 21 May 1988) was a French film actress who flourished in the 1950s.
After fleeing Paris with her family during the German occupation in World War II, Laage returned to the city after the war and commenced her acti ...
as Thérèse's mother
*
Anne Vernon as Mademoiselle Le Blanc
*
Maurice Teynac
Maurice Teynac (1915–1992) was a French actor. In 1948 he starred in the film '' The Lame Devil'' under Sacha Guitry.
In 1954 he appeared in London's West End in J.B. Priestley's poorly reviewed play ''The White Countess''.
Selected filmogr ...
as Monsieur Martin
Reception
Reviews of his film adaptation of ''Thérèse et Isabelle'' have been generally favorable,
although not with all reviewers.
Notes
According to one film reviewer, Radley Metzger's films, including those made during the
Golden Age of Porn (1969–1984), are noted for their "lavish design, witty screenplays, and a
penchant for the unusual
camera angle".
Another reviewer noted that his films were "highly artistic—and often cerebral ... and often featured gorgeous
cinematography".
Film and audio works by Metzger have been added to the permanent collection of the
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.
References
External links
*
*
''Therese and Isabelle''at
MUBI (related to
The Criterion Collection)
{{Portal bar, Film, Society, United States
1968 films
1968 drama films
1968 LGBT-related films
1960s English-language films
1960s erotic drama films
1960s French-language films
1960s teen drama films
American black-and-white films
American erotic drama films
American teen drama films
American teen LGBT-related films
Films set in boarding schools
Constantin Film films
Dutch black-and-white films
Dutch erotic drama films
Dutch LGBT-related films
Dutch teen films
English-language Dutch films
English-language French films
English-language German films
Films based on French novels
Films directed by Radley Metzger
Films scored by Georges Auric
Films set in Switzerland
Films shot in Brandenburg
Films shot in Paris
French black-and-white films
French erotic drama films
French LGBT-related films
French teen drama films
German black-and-white films
German erotic drama films
German LGBT-related films
German teen drama films
Juvenile sexuality in films
Lesbian-related films
LGBT-related drama films
West German films
1960s American films
1960s French films
1960s German films