Liebelei (Flirtation) (Light O'Love) (Playing at Love) (1932)

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Liebelei is one of the earliest of the cinematic banquets directed by German filmmaker Max Ophuls. The film, set in imperial Vienna, concerns the romance between a young girl and a lieutenant. A powerful baron misreads the lieutenant's ardor, assuming that it is being directed towards his own wife.… More Liebelei is one of the earliest of the cinematic banquets directed by German filmmaker Max Ophuls. The film, set in imperial Vienna, concerns the romance between a young girl and a lieutenant. A powerful baron misreads the lieutenant's ardor, assuming that it is being directed towards his own wife. A duel follows which, no matter how it turns out, will spell tragedy for at least one of the characters we care about. The central character is portrayed by Magda Schneider, the mother of 1960s film star Romy Schneider. Liebelei was filmed in two different languages, German and French; the latter version was titled Une Histoire D'Amour. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Max Ophüls
Written By: Hans Wilheim, Curt Alexander
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International

In Theaters: Feb 27, 1936 Wide
Studio: Compagnie Française Cinématographique (C

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Militarist strictures and emotional impulses are the contrasting poles of this masterpiece

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Featured Audience Ratings

Stella D

a fine early work of max ophuls, before he fled germany and the rise of the nazis. the archetypal romantic tear jerker has some beautiful scenes and displays many of ophuls' trademarks. with a charming lead performance by magda schneider, the mother of romy, who would herself… More
a fine early work of max ophuls, before he fled germany and the rise of the nazis. the archetypal romantic tear jerker has some beautiful scenes and displays many of ophuls' trademarks. with a charming lead performance by magda schneider, the mother of romy, who would herself play the part in 1958 remake of the film called 'christine' opposite young alain delon. ophuls himself also reshot the film in french using most of the original cast and retitled une histoire d'amour. as in most cases, the original is best