In the murky and controversial annals of European cinema, few films have maintained a grip on the collector’s underground quite like Maladolescenza (also known as Spielen wir Liebe or Il tempo del primo amore). Directed by Pier Giuseppe Murgia in 1977, this Italian-German co-production remains a cinematic anomaly: a coming-of-age drama set against the bucolic landscapes of the Austrian countryside, wrapped in philosophical allegory, yet permanently shadowed by legal battles, censorship, and ethical debate.
This is where the keyword becomes highly technical. In film collector jargon:
Restoration Attempts: In 2004, the German cult distributor X-Rated released a remastered DVD that restored the 14 minutes of censored footage, returning the film to its full 91-minute length. However, this "extra quality" version was quickly targeted by authorities. Legal Bans and Rarity maladolescenza deleted scenes st extra quality
Here is a story outlining the contents of those "Deleted Scenes": 1. The Mirror Game (The "Blue Hour" Scene)
The Censored German Release (77 minutes): Following a public outcry, the film was cut down significantly for home video and some theatrical releases in West Germany. This version removed virtually all scenes depicting child nudity and sexuality. Unearthing the Lost Frames: The Quest for "Maladolescenza
The 1977 film Maladolescenza (also released as Playing with Love) has a complex history of censorship and multiple versions due to its controversial content involving underage actors. Released Versions & Running Times
: Due to intense public outcry over scenes involving nudity and simulated sex with underage actors, the original 91-minute theatrical cut was often reduced to approximately 77 minutes for home video and certain international releases. Content Removed In film collector jargon: Restoration Attempts: In 2004,
For those interested in exploring Maladolescenza further, several resources are available:
: The film is noted for contrasting these disturbing scenes with the beautiful natural scenery of Europe, which directors used to create a dreamlike, albeit nightmarish, atmosphere. "Extra Quality" Context