Search - Leper on DVD

A beautiful love story based on a great novel.....

10/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love the book this movie is based on. it's a love story about a young aristocrat- Walldemar or Waldy and a beautiful teacher Sefania, or Stefcia......similar to a Jane Austen story, I guess, :)a young noble girl, Stefcia starts her first teaching job with an aristocratic family....it so happens that her employee is an aunt to an incredible young man with whom all the young ladies are secretly in love with. one of them, Melania, considers herself practically engaged to Waldy. But Waldy is not ready to get married, until he meets Stefcia and falls in love with her.his family is against his marriage since Stefcia is from a lower social standing. they torture Stefcia with their letters and dances calling her 'Trdedowata' or The leper. in their society Stefcia will never be accepted they tell her, to them she will always be Tredowata.Stefcia gets ill after one of the parties given in her honor....she dies before her wedding day in the arms of her beloved Waldy.the movie ends at Stefcia's funeral, with the final scene showing Waldy who looks like he aged 10 years in one day. Throughout the movie we hear beautiful music by Wojciech Kilar. wonderful movie! brings back poignant memories of young love. think Splendor in the Grass dated back to 17th centry!"

A romantic drama about forbidden love set in the late 1800s

Richard J. Brzostek | New England, USA | 04/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jerzy Hoffman may be best known for his With Fire and Sword (Ogniem i Mieczem) but his earlier films are just as brilliant. In 1976, two years after his historical epic Potop, Hoffman made Leper (Tredowata). Leper is a romantic drama about forbidden love set in the late 1800s.

Stefcia Rudecka works for a wealthy noble family. She is the personal instructor for Lucia, who lives with her mother and grandfather. Waldemar, the girl's older cousin, comes by to visit and is captivated by Stefcia. Stefcia resists his advances in the beginning but he slowly wears her guard down. Stefcia is cautious for good reason as she feels she wouldn't fit into his world.

Waldemar's family strongly resists his choice in a bride. Generations of family traditions are a force he must contend with as he tries to woo Stefcia. The dazzling manor houses and elaborate gardens are spellbinding and bring us into a world where maintaining one's class is a strong force, rivaling the power of love.

Leper captures strong emotions; Stefcia doesn't want to be made a fool yet her fears quickly greet her. The nobles she meets are cruel snobs and dismiss her into the status of a "leper." The emotions are only intensified by the powerful music by Wojciech Kilar (who I find to be one of the best modern composers). If you enjoyed Hoffman's historical films and are curious to see what else he made, you have to check out Leper.
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