Turkish Delight is one of those films that is a rare gem. In my opinion, this is Paul Verhoven's finest piece of work. I can rarely say that a film deeply touches my life, but this is one of those cases. It's power just overwhelmed me.
Eric Vonk is a somewhat carefree and rebellious young artist that finds true and undying love in the arms of young Olga, an equally as free spirited young redhead. Though their relationship is very sexually dynamic, it is also filled with sincere tenderness and honest devotion. Unfortunately, Eric is left with the harsh reality of adulthood and heartbreak when Olga leaves him (for very questionable reasons). Eric learns that sometimes love is so strong that nothing can extinguish it.
The power of the film lies in its gritty realism. This isn't a film that tries to leave out the "gorey" details of life. As a matter of fact, Paul Verhoven is very in your face. He wants his audience to experience a range of emotions and even feel the need to turn away here and there. (One scene that immediately springs to mind involves a toilet...) However, in the end I could't help but be overwhelmed by the beauty of the love story. It is the most powerful film of its kind, in my opinion.
Unfortunately, the film is not that well know in the US. It was nominated for an Academy Award in 1974, but it seems to have somewhat disappeared after that. The film is ranked the best Dutch Film of the Century and certainly one of its most popular.
The novel, written by famed Dutch author Jan Wolkers, is read in many Dutch schools. It continues to sell many copies to this day. However, it went out of print in the US in 1983. While copies are available from used online book sources, the price tag is usually a bit steep.
Jan Wolkers' novel is truly a masterpiece. Like the film, it uses gritty and sometimes obscene language but it never fails to ooze with passion and love. The reader cannot help but feel Wolkers' love for the young redheaded creature.
A musical version of the story is opening in Amsterdam, however, I am not sure that anything can compete with the work of art that Verhoven created. The 1974 film will always be the one and only in my heart.
Eric Vonk is a somewhat carefree and rebellious young artist that finds true and undying love in the arms of young Olga, an equally as free spirited young redhead. Though their relationship is very sexually dynamic, it is also filled with sincere tenderness and honest devotion. Unfortunately, Eric is left with the harsh reality of adulthood and heartbreak when Olga leaves him (for very questionable reasons). Eric learns that sometimes love is so strong that nothing can extinguish it.
The power of the film lies in its gritty realism. This isn't a film that tries to leave out the "gorey" details of life. As a matter of fact, Paul Verhoven is very in your face. He wants his audience to experience a range of emotions and even feel the need to turn away here and there. (One scene that immediately springs to mind involves a toilet...) However, in the end I could't help but be overwhelmed by the beauty of the love story. It is the most powerful film of its kind, in my opinion.
Unfortunately, the film is not that well know in the US. It was nominated for an Academy Award in 1974, but it seems to have somewhat disappeared after that. The film is ranked the best Dutch Film of the Century and certainly one of its most popular.
The novel, written by famed Dutch author Jan Wolkers, is read in many Dutch schools. It continues to sell many copies to this day. However, it went out of print in the US in 1983. While copies are available from used online book sources, the price tag is usually a bit steep.
Jan Wolkers' novel is truly a masterpiece. Like the film, it uses gritty and sometimes obscene language but it never fails to ooze with passion and love. The reader cannot help but feel Wolkers' love for the young redheaded creature.
A musical version of the story is opening in Amsterdam, however, I am not sure that anything can compete with the work of art that Verhoven created. The 1974 film will always be the one and only in my heart.