Three teens, one summer, and a not-so-innocent hoax at the border.
THE FIRST TIME
At a summer resort, some teenage boys are drawn to a woman (Jacqueline Bisset) without a passport, whom they mistakenly identify as a prostitute. Under the imagined spell of her "allure," they help her cross the border.
Quick Answer
The First Time is a 1969 American comedy-drama-romance directed by James Neilson about three teenage boys whose pursuit of adult experiences leads to a tangled web of lies and misunderstandings during a summer near Niagara Falls.
Programmer's Pick
If you ever wondered how a fake brothel and a border-crossing mix with teenage bravado, The First Time has answers. Jacqueline Bisset delivers allure and confusion as the boys’ misadventures snowball. It’s a PG-rated summer of cringe, comedy, and adolescent invention.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Why This Matters
Filmed under the working title Beginners Three, this 1969 coming of age comedy-drama features Jacqueline Bisset and was directed by James Neilson, reflecting late-1960s American cinema's interest in youth-oriented stories.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
The plot hinges on the U.S.-Canadian border, with mistaken identities and cross-border hijinks fueling the comedy.
A classic take on teenage awkwardness, with the protagonists fumbling toward adulthood through wild stories and even wilder misunderstandings.
Bisset’s character is at the heart of the boys’ confusion, adding a dash of glamour and chaos to their summer escapade.
The film’s humor draws from real adolescent anxieties, blending embarrassment and heart in equal measure.
Scene Gallery
Questions from the Vault
When was The First Time released? +
The First Time was released in 1969.
Who directed The First Time? +
The First Time was directed by James Neilson.
How long is The First Time? +
The First Time has a runtime of 90 minutes.
What genre is The First Time? +
The First Time is a comedy, drama, and romance film.
