I was age 24 when I saw this episode on a Sunday-evening (March 27, 1977) on the German television, always aired on prime time. That's more than 35 years ago. Fortunately, I recently came across the DVD release and a Youtube upload (full-length) of this episode. As I regularly saw the Tatort/Crime Scene episodes, and although living in a neighboring country, I immediately noticed this was a special and terrific one (and still is). The sum of a great story, acting performances, movie directing, locations, atmosphere and film music. This episode was made in summer 1976, so actor Klaus Kinkski's ravishing, gorgeous daughter Nastassja was age 15. She had a smashing debut with this episode and appeared in many movies since then. In this Tatort episode Nastassja is a 17 years old student having a love affair with her married high school teacher age 32. In her next film, 'Così Come Sei' from 1978, the then 17 years old Nastassja has a love affair with a married middle-aged man (the famous Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni.) by the way. Despite some brief moments with innocent nudity, I think an uncut release in the U.S. will still be a problem (the VHS release was censored as far as I know). Today the film locations of 'Reifezeugnis' are a kind of pilgrimage, as the episode has a 'cult' status.
Because of her acting performance and -irresistible- looks, Nastassja Kinski had a lot of media attention (as well as the subject), but I like to mention actress Judy Winter also. She stood in the the shadow of Nastassja, understandable, but she has a lot of screen time too (more than I remember from 1977) and performed her role as a high school teacher and woman of an adulterous husband very well. Perhaps too well, as she understands his adultery; the only weakness in the script in my opinion. In contrast to many other Tatort/Crime Scene episodes, this time the cops are less prominent. I prefer that. Comparing this episode with the many other Tatort episodes (more than 700) I have seen, I still think this is one of the best, actually the best!
Since January 7, 2010, 'Reifezeugnis' aka 'For Your Love Only' is available on DVD (German release), uncut. Unfortunately, despite being Tatort's most popular episode and international theatrical release, only German subtitles are added. Maybe in the near future we may look forward to a Blu-ray release with subtitles in English language also. And interviews with the director Wolfgang Petersen ('Das Boot', etc.) and Nastassja Kinski as extra features...
