Schoolgirl Report 4 (4 Stars)

This is the fourth film in the immensely successful German film series, made in 1972. There are several major changes to the previous films.

1. The outer frame of a discussion between adults (parents and teachers) has been removed. The film progresses directly from one scene to the next.

2. The background music has become bawdier. Composer Gert Wilden is obviously imitating the style used in Russ Meyer's films.

3. Famous actors are used alongside the amateurs and unknown actors. This film features Ingrid Steeger in the longest scene, and it is also the first of four films starring the Italian comedian Rinaldo Talamonti.

I'll refrain from describing all the scenes in detail this time, apart from commenting on the racism in two scenes. In one scene an immigrant from Africa is hated by the other girls in her class because of her colour. In the next four girls seduce an Italian, played by Rinaldo Talamonti, after first mocking him and calling him Spaghetti. Was this typical for schoolgirls in the 1970's? I hope not.

I've had a few negative comments about my reports on the previous films in this series. I wish the comments had been written in my blog for everyone to read instead of being made to me personally. The comments didn't concern the contents of the film, but the age of the actresses. This seems like a good opportunity for me to climb onto my soapbox.

Every country is different. Every country has different laws, different customs, and even different morals. Most countries accept the views of one another. But there is one big exception. America thinks that its moral values are right and tries to impose them on the rest of the world. If you're an American who doesn't think like this, congratulations, you're in the minority. This moral bullying is most apparent in the matter of ages. There are very few countries in which 16-year-olds are considered underage. Americans have stricter views and are horrified to see 16-year-old girls naked in films or working in strip clubs. Under pressure from America English newspapers have agreed not to print naked photos of 16-year-olds on Page 3 (which was common from 1967 till 2001). Americans try to close down web sites with pictures of naked girls under 18 because the Internet is American and American laws apply. Or so they think.

The films I am reviewing here are perfectly legal in Germany, where they were made. They are sold by Amazon in Germany. If you, dear American reader, think that the films are "wrong" or "immoral" you need to question your upbringing. I won't be bold enough to say that your opinion is wrong, because morality is relative. But I will tell you that your opinion puts you in the minority.