Directed by:
Max OphülsScreenplay:
Howard KochCinematography:
Franz PlanerComposer:
Daniele AmfitheatrofCast:
Joan Fontaine, Louis Jourdan, Mady Christians, Marcel Journet, Art Smith, Carol Yorke, Howard Freeman, Erskine Sanford, Irene Seidner, William H. O'Brien (more)Plots(1)
Set in turn of the century Vienna, this haunting tale is perhaps cinemas greatest unrequited love story and is considered to be one of Ophuls great masterpieces. Philandering concert pianist Stefan arrives home to find a letter, which begins "by the time you read this I will be dead". So unfolds the story of Lisa, one of many women with whom he had shared a brief encounter over the years and swiftly forgotten. Her life had been spent loving him unfalteringly and now he would learn the truth about his past. (Second Sight)
(more)Reviews (1)
A beautiful story about how easy it is to substitute love with something else. Our memory is tricky and plays with us, but only because we often don't want to remember everything. And so we can even forget about the important things. Quite easily at that, which this film demonstrates with incredible gentleness. Love is something that cannot be easily broken, something we cannot describe, but it is here. This is a beautiful message, delivered beautifully.
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