Venus In Furs [1970] [DVD]
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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Anamorphic Widescreen, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Based on the infamous novel by Leopold Sacher-Masoch this fine film follows the perverted passions of a young couple as Severin (Régis Vallée) watches the beautiful Wanda (Laura Antonelli) writhing naked amongst furs. His disturbing peeping tomism triggers off a whirlpool of emotions due to a childhood episode which punishes voyeurism with pain. …Venus in Furs (UK) ( Devil in the Flesh ) ( Le Malizie di Venere )
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Film Adaptation of Erotic Classic Misses The Point Entirely,
Sacher Masoch’s book about a “suprasensual” poet (Severin) who craves to be dominated and beaten by a beautiful woman (Wanda) is a classic erotic novel, although to describe it as such is to do it a disservice. Masoch’s book, mostly auto-biographical, is a philosophical discourse on the nature of power, a morality tale and really the first serious attempt to describe the masochistic experience (masochist being a word we wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for the influence the book had).
Written in the 1870’s the books interest lies not only in Severin’s desires, the expression of which are fairly commonplace in our more liberal society, but Wanda’s inner journey. Wanda’s initial reluctance to beat Severin comes out of her love for him (not disgust, which would be rather less interestion), and only to please him does she first attempt to beat him and then recoils when she finds it enjoyable. As the story progresses she learns to enjoy the feeling of power, but in losing respect for Severin learns to hate him. The story could be read as an analysis of how a man attempts to shape a woman and then regrets it – it’s the Pygmalion of erotic literature and has none of the cliches you might expect from the genre.
The book has had far more influence on the shape of BDSM culture today than the rather better known works of De Sade (this is the first novel, I know of, that has the submissive sign a contract handing himself over to his mistress), and inspired a fantastic song by The Velvet Underground. Unfortunately it also inspired (if that’s the word) this tedious film.
This film fails in every respect to compare to this novel, or for that matter understand it. The filmmakers, clearly unable to identify with the masochistic hero of the book, pay only the mildest lip-service to submission and domination and transform Severin into a voyeur wishing to see his goddess making love to a series of men, even though this is the very form of abuse the hero in the book fails to enjoy. The only time we see Wanda strike Severin is in anger, which yet again misses the point.
The prevalence of BDSM interest in the general public was probably greatly underestimated at the time, and the makers assume that most audiences will find nudity and sexual intercourse more titillating but the nudity is rather bland and sanitised, and the sex is laughable. The attempt to give it a modern setting further undermines the credibility of the piece.
The style is pseudo-arty, but the attempt to turn an intelligent and daring novel into a universally acceptable soft-porn film does Masoch a disservice and renders the story itself much less interesting and most of all much less sexy.
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|Sophisticated and erotic,
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An exquisitely photographed and wholly successful take on the widely told tale – far better than others with the same name – it works on so many levels, not the least of which is the stunning goddess Laura Antonelli in the lead role. Extremely well directed by Massimo Dallamano with superb groovy 60’s art decor and music.
The dubbing is not at all intrusive and the voice actors (may be the real screen actors perhaps?) fit in well and are among the best I’ve heard in Italian film. The film is slightly cut by the BBFC – though this is only a one minute reduction of the rape of the maid to remove her “enjoyment” of the ordeal. This cut footage can be seen on the net through one of the anti-censorship sites so you can see what’s missing, which isn’t alot and the scene still works.
One comment worth noting – although the Shameless transfer is absolutely immaculate with stunning sharpness and colour AND in the correct cinemascope ratio there are a number of shots that in the trailer that are slightly more graphic than the corresponding footage in the feature. For some odd reason the amount of below the waist nudity of Antonelli is far more prevalent in the trailer than the identical scene in the film – with alternate takes I suspect… so check out that trailer!!
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|venus in furs,
Shameless once again bring an excellent erotic classic to dvd in a lovely 2.35:1 16:9 transfer. The film is a classic of euro sleaze with the gorgeous Laura Antonneli frequently naked to hold your attention. It is worth noting that those spoilsports at the BBFC have cut 1.05s from the film. Dont let this put you off though as it will not ruin your enjoyment of the film.
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