Reviews

Normally, I pride myself on having an open mind. I also tend to like most surrealist films especially those by Arrabel, Jodorowsky, Bunuel, Pasolini and Peter Greenaway. However, I can't find anything at all to like nor recommend in this sleaze-fest. I have to say too that I tend to enjoy sleaze if it's at least entertaining. This film was not at all entertaining. About 45 minutes into the film, I was ready to call it quits. Even as thinnly plotted as this film seemed to be, characters wandered in and out without any rhyme or reason making the whole thing very confusing.

Even though Pasolini's SALO had it's periods of revulsion, at least I felt like I got something out of it at the end to make the time I spent in disgust, somewhat worthwhile. I can't say the same thing here. The films only raison d'etre that I could see was to show as much degradation upon women as possible and for no reason. Well, there was a reason, but after a while I just didn't care any more.

BLECH!!! 1/10

I remember seeing this one as a beat up Prism VHS tape back in the 80's and I also remembered how good I thought the film was. I wouldn't say that it was the sexiest film ever made though it comes pretty darn close. The film would pre-date Adrian Lynne's 9 1/2 WEEKS by 12-13(?) years, interestingly enough. Both films deal with very similar subject matter: the sexual submission and domination of someone else. The difference here is that this film is way more perverse. One questions the likeability of these two characters but the one which garners the most sympathy has to be the woman whom just as France is destroyed by the invading Nazi forces, so is the woman's family and marriage. Although softcore, if explicit sexuality offends you, I wouldn't recommend seeing this. But if sexual cat and mouse games are your cup of Espresso, then I say go for it!

It really is a pity this hasn't found it's way to DVD, especially import DVD. Any flick with Franco Nero is a must-see.