Les amants de Teruel

This is the first time in over 40 years that I've discovered, by searching the IMDb database, mention of this one-of-a-kind film. I'd almost begun to believe that I was the only person in the world who reveres this film, because no one I've mentioned it to had ever heard of it, much less seen it. I saw it only once, in the late 1960s, and have never forgotten its images: surrealism brought to life in a way no other film has attempted then or since. That such a marvelous film should remain "unknown" remains itself a mystery. Perhaps if someone out there is connected in some way, any way, to Turner Classic Movies, I wish they would bring this film to their attention. TCM is the only network showing rarities from every genre of film, and "The Lovers of Teruel" would be a fine and perfect addition to their Global Imports of unforgettable "foreign" films, shown very late on Sunday nights. Wish I knew Robert Osborne personally or someone at TCM. Their loyal and dedicated audience would greatly appreciate a premier viewing of "The Lovers of Teruel."

I first saw this film in the early seventies and have sought it out at every chance I had since then. This is one of my most favorite films of all time. It will appeal to those who have a deep appreciation of the art of western Europe from the end of the nineteenth century to the thirties. The art direction is pointedly referential to these art genres. It has a condensed power and sensibility that has conceptual roots (in the story line) in films like Children of Paradise and La Strada as well as the more recent El Amor Brujo by Carlos Saura, an equally fine dance film. There are aspects of this film that will not appeal to those who expect more dialog and a less stylized presentation than this film embraces. This film is pure art on every level and an exceptional tour-d'force collaboration between the director (Rouleau), the composer (Theodorakis, famous for Zorba the Greek)and the cinematographer (Claude Renoir, son of the director, grandson of the painter). I am waiting for an opportunity to own a clean color corrected print. The tape I saw recently was in poor condition, very contrasty and color shifting. The subtitles were often white on white, which is frustrating, but in no way diminishes the power of this fabulous film.

Quite simply one of the most beautiful and effective fusions of different arts I have ever seen. I was at the University of Minnesota when it was programmed by the Film Society there, while its faculty adviser was Al Milgrom. The film simply flabbergasted me . Widescreen color love story with little dialogue and perhaps the finest music Mikis Theodorakis ever wrote. In his classical vein, not his Zorba mode. Simple and universal story and why it went nowhere in the USA is far beyond my power to even imagine. The dream sequence in ballet is not your standard tutu fest, and develops shockingly powerful emotions. I viewed it once and have never forgotten either it or certain images and have spent over 30 years searching, not obsessively but with reasonable regularity for its music or a copy of the film in any possible format.

This is definitely the most powerful experiences on screen that I have had in decades of film watching, and I am certain it is one of the greatest film ever made. I am saying this although almost forty years have passed since the week in which I saw it twice, in two consecutive days. Its superb use of visual (including mastery of semantically loaded colour photography), musical (including highly structured and meaningful manipulation of sound) and choreographic motifs, its multi-layered art/life embeddings, its overall truly cinematic nature, integratve and absolutely irreducible to any of its components -- all of these and much more are only part of the reasons why this is an unjustifiably forgotten milestone in film history. I am dismayed, frustrated and disappointed that it cannot be purchased in any accessible form -- video cassette or DVD. Will anyone rise to the challenge of correcting this miserable state of affairs? I have been searching for this film for decades, in vain.

this is one of the most memorable films I have ever seen, it is a dance film with all the elements of art that make a film impossible to forget. The ballerina who plays the lead, Ludmila Tcherina, is at the top of her form in her performance as both dramatic actress and dancer. The french culture, its art and its language, create a world that is breathtaking and moving, a backdrop for the most incredible story of tragic love. This film was recommended to me by my distinguished dance teacher who proclaimed it as his favorite dance film. I agree completely and only wish the film were still available in the U.S.