Madchen in Uniform (1958)

Madchen in Uniform is a remake of a movie of the same name from 1931 I’ve already reviewed. Both are good movies. However, because this remake is so similar to the 1931 version, it means that unless you’re me or someone else who needs to see literally every lesbian movie ever, there’s no reason to watch both. Also, while both versions are good, the 1931 version is better.

The film takes place at a strict boarding school in Prussia in 1910. Sensitive Manuela has been sent to the school following the death of her mother. At the school, the teachers largely uphold an authoritarian style of living and teaching. The exception is the young teacher Fraeulein von Bernburg. She shows the students affection and encourages their emotional and creative interests. Consequently, Manuela develops a serious crush on Fraeulein von Bernburg. This comes to a head at a performance of Romeo and Juliet where the kitchen staff accidentally spike the girls’ punch with rum. Intoxicated and uninhibited, Manuela confesses her feelings in front of an audience.

While the plot points of this and the 1931 film are virtually identical, the theme and focus is slightly different. The theme of the 1931 version is just a simple, sad love story. It focuses on emotions and maturation of its lead character. While that is something present in 1958, the focus here is more on the authoritarian school and its effect on the girls. Maybe one film being made before and the other after World War 2 had something to do with this, just a guess. If the 1958 version has a lesson, it’s don’t be too strict and too cold with young people. Otherwise, they won’t develop properly and might inappropriately latch on to someone who shows them minor affection and kindness.

Because the focus of the film is different, this also impacts the love story. This is the greatest difference between the two films. In the 1931 film, Manuela’s feelings were at least somewhat requited by her teacher. Not here. In this version, Fraeulein von Bernburg makes it clear that she is affectionate with all the girls and does not “belong” to any of them, even Manuela. I was somewhat disappointed by this change as it does lessen the among of queer content and characters. However, it is probably good as this version of Manuela feels more childish and immature than her predecessor and either way, Manuela is a minor. The film doesn’t portray this relationship as love or a meeting of kindred spirits, merely a girl with a misguided crush.

It is always nice to see female homosocial relationships in film and it’s done well here. There’s something fascinating about seeing how either gender interacts when isolated from the presence of the other gender. It’s rare to see girls be the focus and rarer still to see it done well. The girls and their interactions here feel genuine. There is something quietly special about some of the minutiae of their interactions with one another outside the realm of men.

Madchen in Uniform is a good movie however, it does suffer from being not quite as good nor radical as the original. I found the 1931 version more captivating and engaging. Still, there’s nothing particularly wrong with this version and indeed, I might feel differently had I seen this version first. Similar as they are, there really is no reason to see both. I’m not even going to definitively say that if you watch one it should be the 1931 version. It doesn’t really matter, they’re both good movies with the same basic story and solid performances. I just happened to see the 1931 version first.

Overall rating: 6.8/10

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