The Addiction: Limited Edition – Arrow Video (4K UHD)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1995
Director: Abel Ferrara
Writer: Nicholas St. John
Cast: Lili Taylor, Christopher Walken, Annabella Sciorra, Edie Falco, Paul Calderon, Fredro Starr, Kathryn Erbe, Michael Imperioli

Release Date: December 9th, 2024 (UK), December 10th, 2024 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 82 Minutes 24 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / Dolby Vision HDR10
Rating: 18 (UK), NR, R (USA)
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 English, LPCM Stereo English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: £29.99 (UK), $49.95 (USA)

"Philosophy student Kathleen (Lili Taylor, The Conjuring) is dragged into an alleyway on her way home from class by Casanova (Annabella Sciorra, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle) and bitten on the neck. She quickly falls ill but realizes this isn’t any ordinary disease when she develops an aversion to daylight and a thirst for human blood…" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "The original 35mm camera negative was scanned in 4K 16-bit resolution at MPI / Warner Brother, Los Angeles. The film was restored in 4K and graded in HDR10 at R3Store Studios, London. Dolby Vision grading was completed by Fidelity in Motion, Florida."

The Addiction comes on a 100 GB triple layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 78.1 GB

Feature: 59.3 GB

As outstanding as Arrow Video’s 2018 Blu-ray release looked, this new release is even better. The source used for this transfer is in immaculate shape. Details look sharp, contrast and black levels look solid throughout, grain remains intact and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in English and a LPCM stereo mix in English. Both audio mixes are in excellent shape; dialog always comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced and, range-wise, the more ambient aspects of the soundtrack are well represented. Included with this release are removable English SDH subtitles.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery (17 stills), a theatrical trailer (38 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival piece from the time of production titled Abel Ferrara Edits The Addiction (8 minutes 42 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), An Appreciation by Brad Stevens (8 minutes 47 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with director Abel Ferrara (16 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a documentary about the film titled Talking with the Vampires made by Abel Ferrara especially for this release, featuring actors Christopher Walken and Lili Taylor, composer Joe Delia, Ken Kelsch, and Abel Ferrara titled (30 minutes 55 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Abel Ferrara and moderated by Brad Stevens, reversible cover art, a slipcover (limited to the first pressing) and a thirty-two-page booklet (limited to first pressing) with cast & crew information, an essay titled This is my Blood: Ferrara’s Addiction written by Michael Ewins, an essay titled Vampire Chronicles written by Paul Duane and information about the restoration.

Summary:

The Addiction was directed by Abel Ferrara whose other notable films include, The Driller Killer, Ms .45, King of New York, Bad Lieutenant and The Funeral.

Many films have explored vampirism and the lore that surrounds vampires. Early examples of vampirism in cinema include, F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu and Todd Browning’s Dracula. And though there is no denying these two films influence on how other films have depicted vampires. There have been a few films that have avoided the vampires well-treaded clichés by breathing new blood into one of horror cinema’s most celebrated characters.

Case in point Abel Ferrara’s The Addiction, a film that features what is arguably the most inventive spin on vampirism. And nowhere this clearer, than when it comes to how this film depicts the vampires. With their lust for blood being rooted in addiction, not survival. Symbolism and philosophy play a significant role in how this film depicts the vampires.

Though the characters are lacking when it comes to back-stories. This ultimately works in The Addiction's favor by allowing the words and images to become the focal point. With that being said, the cast are very good in their respective roles. With the standout performance being Lili Taylor (I Shot Andy Warhol) in the role of the protagonist Kathleen Conklin. Other performances of note include, Christopher Walken (The Dead Zone) in the role of Peina, a vampire who tries to educate Kathleen about her addiction and Annabella Sciorra (Jungle Fever) in the role of Casanova, a mysterious stranger who’s bite transforms Kathleen into a vampire.

From a production standpoint, there is not an area where The Addiction does not excel. The premise is superbly realized and the black and white cinematography is overflowing with atmosphere. Standout moments visually include, the scene where Casanova drags Kathleen into an alley and drinks her blood, the scene where Kathleen meets Peina and the films finale provides the perfectly coda for the events that have just unfolded.

The Addiction makes its way to 4K UHD via another exceptional upgrade from Arrow Video, highly recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Score: Uncensored Version – Cult Epics (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA/Yugoslavia, 1973
Director: Radley Metzger
Writer: Jerry Douglas
Cast: Claire Wilbur, Casey Donovan, Lynn Lowry, Gerald Grant, Carl Parker

Release Date: October 12th, 2010
Approximate Running Time: 91 Minutes 38 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

"a tale of a happily married swinging couple (Claire Wilbur and Gerald Grant), who make a bet that they can seduce a couple of newly weds (Lynn Lowry "I Drink Your Blood" and Cal Culver) during a weekend get-together a their luxury Riviera villa." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "New, Restored High-Definition Transfer".

Score comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.3 GB

Feature: 15 GB

The source looks great; there is still some minor debris. Flesh tones look healthy, with nicely saturated colors, strong image clarity and black levels, excellent compression, and an organic look.

Audio: 3.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital mono mix in English, with no subtitles. The audio is in great shape; dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range-wise, things are satisfactory.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer for Score (3 minutes 38 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for The Lickerish Quartet (2 minutes 45 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Camille 2000 (2 minutes 16 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a featurette titled On the Set of Score, narrated by film historian Michael Bowen (18 minutes 27 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actress Lynn Lowry titled Keeping Score with Lynn Lowry (19 minutes 35 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a slipcover (limited to the first pressing), and an audio commentary with director Radley Metzger and Michael Bowen.

Summary:

A sexually adventurous couple seduces a newlywed couple.

By the time Radley Metzger directed Score, he had already firmly established himself as one of the world’s most renowned auteurs of erotic cinema. A year before, Score made its theatrical debut; the cinematic landscape of erotic cinema had already begun to change with the release of Gerard Damiano’s Deep Throat. Not yet ready to fully make the transition into hardcore, Score is a transitional film that showcases Radley Metzger's prowess at creating visually arresting moments of erotica that not only stimulate one's mind but also one's libido.

Though there are explicit moments of sex that do appear in Score, it's a film that straddles softcore and hardcore. That said, Score’s sex scenes are not just haphazardly thrown together, they are carefully crafted with the utmost care. In fact, one would be hard-pressed to find a more perfect merging of the worlds of softcore and hardcore cinema than in the finale for Score.

When it comes to the performances, it is Lynn Lowry’s (The Crazies) portrayal of Betsy that carries Score. Betsy is an Alice in Wonderland-like character whose journey leads her to a sexual wonderland. That said, it is hard to imagine Score with Lynn Lowry, who delivers one of her best performances. Radley Metzger reinforces the importance of Lynn Lowry in the audio commentary.

Despite many softcore erotica films having lesbian characters, scenes between two men were not common. When it comes to sex scenes between two men, a film like Score takes things to another level. Ultimately, Score is Radley Metzger’s most underappreciated film, and now that a fully uncut version of the film is finally available, maybe now it can be viewed with fresh eyes and finally find the audience that has always eluded it.

Score gets a first-rate release from Cult Epics that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Image – Synapse Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1975
Director: Radley Metzger
Writer: Radley Metzger
Cast: Mary Mendum, Carl Parker, Marilyn Roberts, Valerie Marron, Michelle Vence, Estelle McNalley, Nicole Rochambeau

Release Date: June 14th, 2011
Approximate Running Time: 91 Minutes 5 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English, DTS-HD 5.1 Surround English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

"Jean (Carl Parker, Score), meets his old friend Claire (Marilyn Roberts) at a party and is introduced to the young, seductive Anne (Mary Mendum). Jean discovers the two women have a master/slave relationship and gets seduced into their perverse sexual games." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "All-new high-definition 1080p restoration from the original negative."

The Image comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.6 GB

Feature: 22.2 GB

The source is in excellent shape; colors are nicely saturated, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4.5/5 (DTS-HD Mono English), 4.25/5 (DTS-HD 5.1 Surround English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in English and a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in English. Both audio tracks are in great shape; dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. The score and ambient sounds are well represented range-wise. Included are removable English SDH.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a filmography for Radley Metzger, an isolated music track, and a 4-page booklet with an essay about The Image written by Nathaniel Thompson and information about the transfer. 

Summary:

A chance encounter with a former friend ignites a sadomasochistic relationship.

The image was adapted by Radley Metzger, one of the prominent filmmakers working in softcore erotica cinema in the 1960s and early 1970s. The Image, like his film Score, often blurs the line between softcore erotica and hardcore. By the time that Radley Metzger set his sights on making the definitive cinematic statement on sadomasochism, he had begun the transition from softcore erotica to hardcore, with films like The Private Afternoons of Pamela Mann and Naked Came the Stranger. A few years after The Image, he directed what is arguably the best hardcore film ever made, The Opening of Misty Beethoven. But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. Let’s dig a little deeper into the film at hand, The Image.

The Image is adapted from Catherine Robbe-Grillet's (wife of French filmmaker Alain Robbe-Grillet) novel of the same name. The narrative revolves around three characters: Jean, the man drawn into this sadomasochistic ménage à trois; Claire, an older wealthy woman; and their plaything, Anne. Structure-wise, the narrative does a superb job establishing the relationship between the three main players, especially Jean and Anne. There is a well-defined evolution to the proceedings at hand that makes everything all the more plausible and easier to digest.

When it comes to the performances, none shine brighter than Mary Mendum (Abigail Lesley is Back in Town), who portrays Anne. At the time of filming The Image, she was dating Radley Metzger. She delivers a phenomenal performance that is arguably her best. Though most of the characters are secondary, there are two other key characters, Jean and Claire. Carl Parker and Marilyn Roberts portray the characters, delivering pitch-perfect performances that counterbalance Mary Mendum's.

An area where The Image excels is its picturesque visuals, which use the Paris locations for maximum effect; notably, a scene in a rose garden is one of the more visually resonating moments. Another area where the visuals excel are the S&M moments; they are exquisitely realized. Ultimately, The Image is more than a series of sexual rendezvous around the city of Paris; if you are willing to look past the stylized moments of sexualized fetishism, there is a well of subtext that can be gleaned from this film, notably how pleasure and pain are intertwined.

The Image gets a solid audio/video presentation; highly recommended despite its lack of contextual extras.

 

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Lickerish Quartet – Cult Epics (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy/West Germany, 1970
Director: Radley Metzger
Writer: Michael de Forrest
Cast: Silvana Venturelli, Frank Wolff, Erika Remberg, Paolo Turco

Release Date: April 26th, 2011
Approximate Running Time: 87 Minutes 46 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

"An aristocratic family becomes obsessed with a striking young blond actress (Silvano Venturelli "Camille 2000") while watching her in what appears to be a crude, silent stag film. After a visit to a local carnival they meet the girl in person and invite her back to their lavish mansion (the Castle of Balsorano in Italy's Abruzzi Mountains.) The blonde visitor takes turns seducing the family members, where she unlocks each of their fantasies, family secrets and hidden desires." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "New, Restored High-Definition Transfer".

The Lickerish Quartet comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.1 GB

Feature: 12.4 GB

The source looks great; there is still some minor debris. Flesh tones look healthy, with nicely saturated colors, strong image clarity and black levels, excellent compression, and an organic look.

Audio: 3.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital mono mix in English, with no subtitles. The audio is in great shape; dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range-wise, things are satisfactory.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer for Score (3 minutes 38 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for The Lickerish Quartet (2 minutes 45 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Camille 2000 (2 minutes 16 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles),  a featurette that compares on set sound with post-synchronize titled Giving voice to the Quartet (12 minutes 52 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a longer version of the stag film seen in The Lickerish Quartet titled Cool version Love scenes (31 minutes 50 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an audio essay Rick Ulfik titled The Making of The Lickerish Quartet (11 minutes 17 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with Radley Metzger and film historian Michael Bowen.

Summary:

A perverse couple and their adult son watch a stag film. Things quickly turn sour when their son becomes bored and wants to go into town to check out the circus. While watching a daredevil woman at the circus, the trio all come to the conclusion that she looks like the woman in the stag film they had watched earlier in the evening. Not wanting to let this mysterious woman get away, they invite her back to their home and show her the stag film that features a woman who could pass as her doppelgänger.

By the early 1970s, Radley Metzger had firmly established himself as one of the premier filmmakers working in soft-core erotica cinema. In 1974 he would make the transition from softcore to hardcore cinema with The Private Afternoons of Pamela Mann. Once he made the move from softcore to hardcore, he would only make two films that were not in the latter: The Image and The Cat and the Canary (1978).

When discussing the cinema of Radley Metzger, one area that is consistently strong is the visuals. There is an abundance of visually arresting moments in The Lickerish Quartet. The standout moment is a sex scene between the impotent father and the daredevil circus performer in his very stylish library, and while they roll around in ecstasy on the floor, there are several vulgar words and their meanings written on the floor beneath them. When it comes to the stag film footage, these moments have a deliberately degraded look that enhances their authenticity.

The cast are mere props in the story that unfolds, and Radley Metzger’s direction is solid. The most memorable performance is Silvana Venturelli’s (Camille 2000) portrayal of a mysterious woman only known as The Visitor. The location, an Italian castle located in the Abruzzi mountains, is a character unto itself. Other notable films that used this location are Lady Frankenstein, Bloody Pit of Horror, and The Reincarnation of Isabel.

Narrative-wise, one would be hard-pressed to find a more challenging film in Radley Metzger’s filmography than The Lickerish Quartet. And yet it also stands out as one of his most fascinating films. The narrative is a meticulously laid-out labyrinth of subtext that does a superb job blurring the thin line between reality and fantasy, saving the most potent twist for the finale.

From a production standpoint, The Lickerish Quartet is a film that maximizes its resources. The narrative is not difficult to digest despite its non-linear structure. Other areas where The Lickerish Quartet excels are its editing and Stelvio Cipriani's (What Have They Done to Your Daughters?) hypnotic score, which perfectly reinforces the mood. Ultimately, The Lickerish Quartet is a highwater mark of 1960s/70s softcore erotica and one of Radley Metzger’s best films.

The Lickerish Quartet gets a first-rate release from Cult Epics that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Camille 2000: Original Version – Cult Epics (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1969
Director: Radley Metzger
Writer: Michael de Forrest
Cast: Danièle Gaubert, Nino Castelnuovo, Eleonora Rossi Drago, Roberto Bisacco, Massimo Serato, Silvana Venturelli, Peter Chatel

Release Date: June 28th, 2011
Approximate Running Time: 119 Minutes 16 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.95

"A child of the sixties sexual revolution, beautiful, sensuous Marguerite (Daniele Gaubert) is addicted to sex and money. She is kept by a wealthy man, has a string of young lovers and hosts wild orgies in her luxurious villa. When she falls in love with the handsome bachelor Armond (Nino Castelnuova), he insists in absolute fidelity. Known by her reputation, Armond's controlling father soon intervenes, triggering a tragic turn of events." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "New, Restored High-Definition Transfer".

Camille 2000 extended version comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.1 GB

Feature: 15.2 GB

The source looks great; there is still some minor debris. Colors look correct, image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is very good, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 3.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital mono mix in English, with no subtitles. The audio is in great shape; dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range-wise, things are satisfactory.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer for Score (3 minutes 38 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for The Lickerish Quartet (2 minutes 45 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Camille 2000 (2 minutes 16 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), Cube scene alternate take (1 minute 52 seconds, Dolby Digital mono), Sylviana's Bare Striptease (2 minute 47 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a before and after featurette titled The Restoration of Camille 2000 (6 minute 28 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a featurette titled On the set of Camille 2000, narrated by director Radley Metzger (30 minutes 36 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with Radley Metzger and film historian Michael Bowen. 

Summary:

Marguerite is a promiscuous woman with a troubled past that has led to her distrust of men. After she meets a man named Armand, she lets her guard down and falls in love with him. When distrust and old habits push the two lovers apart, will they be able to overcome the obstacles keeping them apart and reconcile before it is too late?

Though there have been a few filmmakers who have left an indelible mark on softcore cinema, none have done more for this genre than Radley Metzger. Instead of over-relying on erotica at the expense of exposition, Radley Metzger was always able to find a perfect balance between these two things. That said, his brand of softcore cinema is best described as arthouse erotica.

Radley Metzger's last film of the 1960s is an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas fils's novel The Lady of the Camellias. Shooting Camille 2000 in Rome, Italy, gives it a look that sets it apart from the majority of softcore erotica that American audiences saw. From a production standpoint, Camille 2000 is the largest budget Radley Metzger worked with, and the result is one of the most lavish softcore films ever made.

Camille 2000 is a story about excess and decadent behavior; it is perfectly suited for Rome and the 1960s. There are many aspects of Camille 2000 that have a Marquis de Sade vibe, notably a party sequence overflowing with S&M elements. That said, Camille 2000 is a product of its time with its grandiose sets and bizarre costumes.

All around, the performances are outstanding, especially Danièle Gaubert, who portrays the protagonist Marguerite Gautier. Her character lives a carefree life, free of any entanglements, and her performance perfectly captures the essence of Marguerite. The most impressive aspect of Camille 2000 is how much time and effort went into secondary characters.

Something I noticed about Radley Metzger, whether working in softcore or hardcore, is that he has a distinct visual style and that humor is an integral part of his films. Visually, Camille 2000 does not disappoint; every inch looks exquisite with its vivid colors and meticulously composed compositions. For a film filled with so many amazing moments visually, none is more striking than a sex scene where a bed is surrounded by mirrors.

From a production standpoint, Camille 2000 is a film where everything falls into place. The well-constructed narrative does a superb job building momentum to a bittersweet, tragic finale that serves as a perfect coda. Not to be overlooked when discussing Camille 2000 is its impeccable production design and Piero Piccioni’s (The 10th Victim) exemplary score. Ultimately, Radley Metzger's Camille 2000 is a fitting swan song to the 1960s softcore erotica, which was usurped by hardcore films like Deep Throat and The Devil in Miss Jones in the 1970s.

Camille 2000, the original version, gets a first-rate release from Cult Epics that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Camille 2000: Extended Version – Cult Epics (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1969
Director: Radley Metzger
Writer: Michael de Forrest
Cast: Danièle Gaubert, Nino Castelnuovo, Eleonora Rossi Drago, Roberto Bisacco, Massimo Serato, Silvana Venturelli, Peter Chatel

Release Date: June 28th, 2011
Approximate Running Time: 130 Minutes 26 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $34.95

"A child of the sixties sexual revolution, beautiful, sensuous Marguerite (Daniele Gaubert) is addicted to sex and money. She is kept by a wealthy man, has a string of young lovers and hosts wild orgies in her luxurious villa. When she falls in love with the handsome bachelor Armond (Nino Castelnuova), he insists in absolute fidelity. Known by her reputation, Armond's controlling father soon intervenes, triggering a tragic turn of events." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "New, Restored High-Definition Transfer".

Camille 2000 extended version comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.2 GB

Feature: 16.6 GB

The source looks great; there is still some minor debris. Colors look correct, image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is very good, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 3.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital mono mix in English, with no subtitles. The audio is in great shape; dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range-wise, things are satisfactory.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer for Score (3 minutes 38 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for The Lickerish Quartet (2 minutes 45 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Camille 2000 (2 minutes 16 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), Cube scene alternate take (1 minute 52 seconds, Dolby Digital mono), Sylviana's Bare Striptease (2 minute 47 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a before and after featurette titled The Restoration of Camille 2000 (6 minute 28 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a featurette titled On the set of Camille 2000, narrated by director Radley Metzger (30 minutes 36 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with Radley Metzger and film historian Michael Bowen. 

Summary:

Marguerite is a promiscuous woman with a troubled past that has led to her distrust of men. After she meets a man named Armand, she lets her guard down and falls in love with him. When distrust and old habits push the two lovers apart, will they be able to overcome the obstacles keeping them apart and reconcile before it is too late?

Though there have been a few filmmakers who have left an indelible mark on softcore cinema, none have done more for this genre than Radley Metzger. Instead of over-relying on erotica at the expense of exposition, Radley Metzger was always able to find a perfect balance between these two things. That said, his brand of softcore cinema is best described as arthouse erotica.

Radley Metzger's last film of the 1960s is an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas fils's novel The Lady of the Camellias. Shooting Camille 2000 in Rome, Italy, gives it a look that sets it apart from the majority of softcore erotica that American audiences saw. From a production standpoint, Camille 2000 is the largest budget Radley Metzger worked with, and the result is one of the most lavish softcore films ever made.

Camille 2000 is a story about excess and decadent behavior; it is perfectly suited for Rome and the 1960s. There are many aspects of Camille 2000 that have a Marquis de Sade vibe, notably a party sequence overflowing with S&M elements. That said, Camille 2000 is a product of its time with its grandiose sets and bizarre costumes.

All around, the performances are outstanding, especially Danièle Gaubert, who portrays the protagonist Marguerite Gautier. Her character lives a carefree life, free of any entanglements, and her performance perfectly captures the essence of Marguerite. The most impressive aspect of Camille 2000 is how much time and effort went into secondary characters.

Something I noticed about Radley Metzger, whether working in softcore or hardcore, is that he has a distinct visual style and that humor is an integral part of his films. Visually, Camille 2000 does not disappoint; every inch looks exquisite with its vivid colors and meticulously composed compositions. For a film filled with so many amazing moments visually, none is more striking than a sex scene where a bed is surrounded by mirrors.

From a production standpoint, Camille 2000 is a film where everything falls into place. The well-constructed narrative does a superb job building momentum to a bittersweet, tragic finale that serves as a perfect coda. Not to be overlooked when discussing Camille 2000 is its impeccable production design and Piero Piccioni’s (The 10th Victim) exemplary score. Ultimately, Radley Metzger's Camille 2000 is a fitting swan song to the 1960s softcore erotica, which was usurped by hardcore films like Deep Throat and The Devil in Miss Jones in the 1970s.

Camille 2000, the extended version, gets a first-rate release from Cult Epics that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and insightful extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer