Overview
A tale of love and obsession unfolds against the backdrop of 19th-century Halifax, where passion can lead to madness.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- brooding
- intimate
- quiet evening
- arthouse cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard François Truffaut’s severe romantic drama as profoundly beautiful and psychologically compelling, especially because of Isabelle Adjani’s extraordinary performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Adèle’s relentless pursuit of Lt. Pinson and escalating self-destructive behavior organize the film’s psychological perspective.
The story is based on Adèle Hugo’s real diary, while love letters and written communication are central to her pursuit.
Adèle continues chasing Lt. Pinson after he clearly rejects her love.
The Halifax boarding-house world and colonial streets frame Adèle’s increasingly isolated psychological state.
Films like The Story of Adele H., and why
Camille Claudel
shared historical setting, obsessive romantic fixation, and psychologically intense female-centered drama
Coco Before Chanel
shared French historical biography, tragic romantic obsession, and acclaimed lead performance
The Piano
shared austere period atmosphere, doomed passion, and literary-minded romantic drama
The Deep Blue Sea
shared psychologically severe portrait of destructive desire and emotionally claustrophobic romance
Movie Details
- Director
- François Truffaut
- Release Date
- 1975-10-08
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (244)
Cast
- Isabelle Adjani
- Bruce Robinson
- Sylvia Marriott
- Joseph Blatchley
- Ivry Gitlis
- Louise Bourdet
- Cecil De Sausmarez
- Ruben Dorey
- Clive Gillingham
- Roger Martin
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Story of Adele H. about?
- A young woman’s pursuit of an indifferent lover becomes a haunting descent into obsession, isolation, and self-erasure.
- What is The Story of Adele H. like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Story of Adele H. as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Story of Adele H. violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Story of Adele H..
- What did critics think of The Story of Adele H.?
- Critics broadly regard François Truffaut’s severe romantic drama as profoundly beautiful and psychologically compelling, especially because of Isabelle Adjani’s extraordinary performance.
- Which films are like The Story of Adele H.?
- Films with a similar feel include Camille Claudel, Coco Before Chanel, The Piano, and The Deep Blue Sea.
- How long is The Story of Adele H.?
- The Story of Adele H. runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Story of Adele H.?
- In United States, The Story of Adele H. streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
