I recently watched this movie and then read the comments on IMDb.com which are without exception very enthusiastic. Did I miss something? Am I a dork without any real feeling left in me? Others will be the judges of that. Anyway, I felt this movie tells a very commonplace story of mediocre minds for which I found it hard to have much compassion. The conductor is basically an egomaniac, a man of whom all around him think as a genius (by the way: aren't all orchestra conductors fascists at heart??). Not a very pleasant or entertaining fellow to be with, really. The blond damsel is a cute groupie, overwhelmed by the adulation the genius basks in - and the splendid Rolls he commands through the streets of London and the English countryside. The "love" they experience is without motive, without past and certainly without future – yes, one may argue, that this is the essence of love, but it makes rather boring viewing if you can't identify with the characters. The affair is concealed from the conductor's wife, which I can only see as a strategic move beyond immediately felt surges of emotions. It may be argued, that nobody wants to hurt anybody, but the act of betrayal lingers on and for me spoils the moments of intimacy between the lovers which are played out as an animated fashion magazine.Not too long ago I also watched the "Interlude" directed by Douglas Sirk and released in 1957. I found it far more convincing and a truly moving melodrama, although the storyline is almost identical. It is a movie that works much better for me on the emotional level. The reason for that is, I believe, that the need for love can be felt more strongly. And there is an element that should always be present in a true love story: Surprise (at the world, the turn of events - and at oneself).

Like many others I saw this film way back in 1968 and it has always remained in my memory. I was at the time a young man who had a crush on Barbara Ferris after seeing her in the Dave Clark Five film Catch Us If You Can (US title was "Having a Wild Weekend") The story is about a love triangle Husband,Mistress and Wife and why I think this film works so well is that we actually care about what happens to all three of them. We can feel the pain of the tortured lovers and the pain of the devastated wife. I liked the nice little moral reminder given to us when the lovers go to the country for a few days and stay at The Mermaid Inn in Rye, in a room aptly named Doctor Syn's Bedchamber. The film also benefits from superb acting with touching and memorable scenes and a wonderful soundtrack. Praise must also go to Kevin Billington who Directed the film with great skill. An exceptional romantic drama!

This film, shot in '67 has gorgeous music and superb acting. Oskar Werner enjoyed making this film probably more than any other. His love for classical music is deeply, deeply genuine. As he said, he always wanted to play an orchestra conductor. He draws in the names of certain friends and his own name is that of his real life mother, Stefani Zelter. He also had many friends in the classical music world -music was his favorite thing in life. In addition to the excellent starring principal roles, several performers who have since become very familiar were seen for the first time over here, Donald Sutherland, John Cleese (who reveals his true calling!!) and a small glimpse of Sir Derek Jacobi at a dinner party. Not only is the music beautiful, the photography and scenery are also. There are many scenes taken in and around London. But, the short stay of Stefan and Sally in the country are breathtaking with stunning footage of Bodiam Castle in Sussex. It is really a shame that this has not been re-mastered and released on DVD, hopefully with a lot of the scenes deleted from the original print included.

It's unbelievable that, after 37 years, this movie has never been issued on VHS or DVD. There is nothing boring or tedious about this movie, it simply carries the viewer along. Stefan (Werner), an orchestra conductor, is interviewed by Sally (Ferris), a magazine reporter. Her interest in him grows and soon the personal overpowers the professional and before they know it, they are having an affair. One with tragic consequences, though, as Stefan has a wife, Antonia (Maskell) and children. Eventually the inevitable confrontation between wife and mistress takes place, and there is an exchange I'll never forget. Antonia asks Sally if she loves music and she replies, "Well, yes, I like music." There is dead silence and then Antonia says, "No, I mean do you LOVE music, do you ADORE it?" because her husband lives and breathes music as a career. That was something Sally had never contemplated during the affair, and a sacrifice she is not willing to make. Exquisite score of Classical excerpts. Watch with someone you love and bring at least three boxes of Kleenex.