...to me about this movie was that the 1931-version was definitely more "lesbian" than the version of 1958. While in the version of 1931 we still see Ms. V. Bernburg kissing Manuela straight on the mouth (with her actually making the first move which is totally unusual in itself, especially considering the timescale in which the movie was made), we see it a bit differently in the 1958 - version (here Manuela makes the first move to kiss the teacher on the mouth, but the teacher rejects it).
The 1958 version seems to totally excuse the obvious lesbian/homosexual aspect with the fact that Manuela only recently lost her mother. Everything is explained with the sudden death of the mother and Manuela needing a "hand" which can lead her to the right path. This is also explained at the end of the movie with the Oberin holding Manuela's hand and this being the solution of it all. The point is that this version still finds excuses for the definite homosexuality of at least the character of Manuela (here we don't know for sure about Fräulein v. Bernburg's sexual orientation although it is to be asumed that she most probably is a heterosexual). It is to be asumed that Manuela and all the other girls really are heterosexuals only misled and on the wrong path by the circumstances and the situation as a whole (which is the message that the movie is giving).
In the 1931 version things develop on a totally different level - here we see a definitely gay Ms. Von Bernburg who definitely prefers one girl over all the others by chosing her and kissing her straight on the mouth. Here nothing is "excused" and the gayness and homosexuality is more than one time definitely pointed out, for example by the headmistress saying that the contact between student and teacher needs to be stopped immediately. In this version there are no excuses. Both teacher & student are definitely gay & lesbian (it is quite obvious), not just some misled characters on the wrong path. I am convinced that in this version they would have ended up together (if it was made today), but it was a drama and therefore it couldn't be this way.
Anyway both versions are true classics and always worth to watch, a true piece of art. Always 10 of 10 points for both versions - and incredible acting (and actresses).
The 1958 version seems to totally excuse the obvious lesbian/homosexual aspect with the fact that Manuela only recently lost her mother. Everything is explained with the sudden death of the mother and Manuela needing a "hand" which can lead her to the right path. This is also explained at the end of the movie with the Oberin holding Manuela's hand and this being the solution of it all. The point is that this version still finds excuses for the definite homosexuality of at least the character of Manuela (here we don't know for sure about Fräulein v. Bernburg's sexual orientation although it is to be asumed that she most probably is a heterosexual). It is to be asumed that Manuela and all the other girls really are heterosexuals only misled and on the wrong path by the circumstances and the situation as a whole (which is the message that the movie is giving).
In the 1931 version things develop on a totally different level - here we see a definitely gay Ms. Von Bernburg who definitely prefers one girl over all the others by chosing her and kissing her straight on the mouth. Here nothing is "excused" and the gayness and homosexuality is more than one time definitely pointed out, for example by the headmistress saying that the contact between student and teacher needs to be stopped immediately. In this version there are no excuses. Both teacher & student are definitely gay & lesbian (it is quite obvious), not just some misled characters on the wrong path. I am convinced that in this version they would have ended up together (if it was made today), but it was a drama and therefore it couldn't be this way.
Anyway both versions are true classics and always worth to watch, a true piece of art. Always 10 of 10 points for both versions - and incredible acting (and actresses).