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Comedy

Private Lessons (1981): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Private Lessons (1981) movie poster

Private Lessons is a 1981 comedy directed by Alan Myerson, starring Eric Brown, Sylvia Kristel and Howard Hesseman. It runs 1 hour 27 minutes and earned $26.3 million worldwide on a $2.8 million budget. Critics gave it 34 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10. Stream it on ARROW and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it on Fandango At Home.

IMDb rating
5.1/10
worldwide gross
$26.3M
Metascore
34
budget
$2.8M
Private Lessons (1981) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 27m (87 min)
Director
Alan Myerson
Genre
Comedy
Original language
French
Budget
$2.8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Private Lessons About?

The premise of Private Lessons without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A promising young tennis player, Jonas, finds himself struggling in school, prompting his family friend Pierre to step in and offer help. What begins as academic tutoring quickly evolves into something more complex and inappropriate as Pierre's methods become increasingly unconventional and his intentions unclear. Jonas's initial enthusiasm gives way to unease and discomfort as he navigates a challenging and potentially harmful situation.

Private Lessons Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • blackmail
  • sex with a minor
  • stripping
  • sexual awakening
  • erotica
  • female frontal nudity
  • sex in a bathtub
  • legs
  • stockings
  • bikini
  • teen sex comedy
  • sexual initiation
+38 more
  • statutory rape
  • female rear nudity
  • sexual harassment
  • lingerie
  • older woman younger man relationship
  • sex scene
  • loss of virginity
  • manipulation
  • bathtub
  • woman removes stockings
  • touching a woman's leg
  • chauffeur
  • high school
  • digging a grave
  • garter belt
  • exhibitionism
  • desire
  • female full frontal nudity
  • abusive housekeeper
  • sex comedy
  • body double in sex scene
  • screenplay adapted by author
  • underwear
  • death
  • sexual fantasy
  • curious boy
  • leg touching
  • touching thigh
  • female rapist
  • female on male rape
  • female sexual predator
  • older woman seduces younger man
  • mature woman seduces teenage boy
  • blackmail scheme
  • housekeeper
  • airport
  • car chase
  • slapped in the face
Where to watch

Where to Watch Private Lessons

Stream it on ARROW and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it from Fandango At Home. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Private Lessons Cast

Eric Brown leads the cast, with Sylvia Kristel and Howard Hesseman. Directed by Alan Myerson; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Private Lessons Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Private Lessons 34 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10.

Plot

Private Lessons Plot Summary

What happens in Private Lessons from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Philip “Philly” Fillmore, played by Eric Brown, is a 15-year-old boy residing in Albuquerque, whose wealthy and sexually adventurous father has departed for an extended summer “business” trip. Left in the care of the alluring French housekeeper, Sylvia Kristel, and the family’s chauffeur, Howard Hesseman, Philly quickly becomes entranced by Nicole Mallow’s charms.

Full summary

The whole story of Private Lessons, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Private Lessons Box Office & Budget

Private Lessons grossed $26.3 million worldwide on a $2.8 million budget, 9.4 times what it cost.

1981 box office

Worldwide gross

$26.3M

9.4× its budget

US & Canada
$26.3M
Budget
$2.8M
Videos

Private Lessons Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 3 trailers.

Private Lessons (1981) theatrical trailer
  • Trailer Theatrical Trailer
  • Trailer Private Lessons (1981) ORIGINAL T.V. SPOTS [HD]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Private Lessons?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the character Philip 'Philly' Fillmore?

Cars

Cars in Private Lessons

13 cars on screen, including the 1979 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Stretched Limousine and the 1979 Chevrolet Impala Wagon.

All 13 cars
  • 1979 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Stretched Limousine in Private Lessons 1979 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Stretched Limousine Main role
  • 1979 Chevrolet Impala Wagon in Private Lessons 1979 Chevrolet Impala Wagon Important role
  • 1969 Ford F-100 in Private Lessons 1969 Ford F-100 Important role
  • 1977 Plymouth Fury in Private Lessons 1977 Plymouth Fury Important role
Details

Private Lessons Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Zärtlich fängt die Liebe an” and “Lições Privadas”.

Also known as
  • Zärtlich fängt die Liebe an
  • Lições Privadas
  • Lecciones privadas
  • Primera lección
  • Lezioni maliziose
  • Magánórák
  • Hamos!... sto krevvati mou
  • Leçons très particulières
  • Kylvetäänkö yhdessä, neiti Mallow?
  • La primera lección
  • Devoirs de vacances
  • Uma Professora Muito Especial
+11 more
  • Частни Уроци
  • 개인 교수
  • Частные уроки
  • 偷窥课程
  • Özel Dersler
  • Prywatne Lekcje
  • שיעורים פרטיים
  • Bài Học Riêng Tư, კერძო გაკვეთილები
  • プライベート・レッスン
  • ตำรารักบทที่ 1
  • Lecțiile private

Seen Private Lessons?

FAQ

Private Lessons FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Private Lessons, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Private Lessons?

Private Lessons runs 1 hour 27 minutes (87 minutes).

When was Private Lessons released?

Private Lessons was released on August 28, 1981.

Who directed Private Lessons?

Private Lessons was directed by Alan Myerson.

More films by Alan Myerson

Who is in the cast of Private Lessons?

Private Lessons stars Eric Brown, Sylvia Kristel and Howard Hesseman, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch Private Lessons?

In the US, Private Lessons is streaming on ARROW, Fandango at Home Free and Fawesome and available to rent or buy on Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Private Lessons make at the box office?

Private Lessons grossed $26.3 million worldwide on a budget of $2.8 million.

How is Private Lessons rated?

Private Lessons has 5.1/10 on IMDb, 34 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Does Private Lessons have a post-credit scene?

No. Private Lessons has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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