P.O. Box Tinto Brass: 2-Disc Edition – Cult Epics (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1995
Director: Tinto Brass
Writers: Tinto Brass, Aurelio Grimaldi, Claudio lizza
Cast: Tinto Brass, Cinzia Roccaforte, Laura Gualtieri, Erika Savastani, Paolo Lanza, Alessandra Antonelli, Carla Solaro, Cristina Rinaldi, Sara Cosmi, Gaia Zucchi, Gabriella Barbuti

Release Date: August 25th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 93 Minutes 29 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / HDR10
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $49.95

"Italian director Tinto Brass is known as the absolute master of erotica, creator of works like All Ladies Do It, Frivolous Lola and Paprika. His gift at perfectly portraying the beauty of the female body has made him celebrated by both men and women. And it is precisely the latter category that sends him boxes full of fan letters. P.O. Box Tinto Brass is a collection of those letters, photos and videos of female sexual fantasies. This erotic comedy featuring the Maestro himself, with a score by Riz Ortolani, contains a succession of exciting, downright sensational and sometimes even shocking material." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5 (4K UHD), 4.5/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "4K Transfer and Restoration from the original camera negative."

P.O. Box Tinto Brass comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD

Disc Size: 58.2 GB

Feature: 57.4 GB

This transfer looks exceptional. Flesh tones look healthy; colors are vibrant; image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic appearance. That said, there are two things I considered when coming up with a score for this transfer. How does it compare to this film’s previous home video releases, and does it look any better than this transfer? It's a solid upgrade that’s superior in every way to this film’s previous home media releases.

P.O. Box Tinto Brass comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 28.9 GB

Feature: 25.4 GB 

This Blu-ray uses the same master that is used for the 4K UHD disc.

Audio: 5/5 (DTS-HD Mono Italian), 4.5/5 (DTS-HD Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mmo mix in Italian and a DTS-HD mono mix in English. It should be noted that about seven minutes of the English language is in Italian with English subtitles. Both tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. That said, the Italian-language track sounds fuller than the English-language track. Included are English subtitles for the Italian-language track. Language tracks and subtitles can only be changed via the setup menu and not during playback.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include a theatrical trailer (1 minute 6 seconds, Dolby Digital mono with text in Italian, no subtitles) and an audio commentary with Troy Howarth, Jeremy Richey, Nathaniel Thompson, Eugenio Ercolani, and Heather Drain.

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include a photo & poster gallery with music from the film playing in the background (28 images), a theatrical trailer (1 minute 6 seconds, Dolby Digital mono with text in Italian, no subtitles), an archival interview with director Tinto Brass (16 minutes 1 second, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with Troy Howarth, Jeremy Richey, Nathaniel Thompson, Eugenio Ercolani, and Heather Drain.

Other extras include reversible cover art with original Italian poster art, a slipcase (limited to the first pressing), and a 20-page booklet with an essay titled Tinto Brass Superstar! Written by Eugenio Ercolani, and archival images.

Summary:

Tinto Brass directed P.O. Box Tinto Brass. He’s known for Deadly Sweet, Salon Kitty, The Key, Snack Bar Budapest, and All Ladies Do It. 

Tinto Brass takes on an anthology framework instead of a linear narrative that revolves around a singular character for P.O. Box Tinto Brass. Fans of Tinto Brass send him letters, photos, and video cassettes detailing their sexual escapades. The wrap-around segments feature Tinto Brass and a character referred to as his secretary.

The first story revolves around a couple who are having sex on the beach, and the woman becomes aroused by a voyeur couple who are also having sex. A housewife who secretly works at a brothel is the focus of the second story. While working at the brothel, she encounters a man who looks exactly like her husband. When confronted, the man claims he does not know her. Is her husband playing his own game of deception or does he have a doppelganger? The third story revolves around a woman wandering around at a tourist site who catches a Japanese tourist, whom she then plays with for his camera.

The fourth story revolves around couples who film each other in erotic situations that pay homage to Tinto Brass. The fifth story revolves around a frustrated housewife who’s libido is unleashed by a pervert phone caller. The sixth story revolves around a couple who go to a swinger party. The seventh story revolves around a man who loses his wife because of his gambling addiction. The final segment features Tinto Brass filming a scene with his secretary and when aroused, an elephant truck comes out of his pants.

At 93 minutes in length, P.O. Box Tinto Brass is a briskly paced narrative where no segment overstays its welcome. The strongest segments are the housewife that works at a brothel, the frustrated housewife whose libido is unleashed by a pervert phone caller and the finale where Tinto Brass takes center stage. The only segment that I found lacking was the one where a wandering woman turns on a Japanese tourist.

There are three things that you can always count on from a Tinto Brass erotica film: subversive humor, gorgeous women, and exquisite cinematography. In the case of the latter, the visuals never miss an opportunity to showcase the female cast members' voluptuous bodies. A key asset of P.O. Box Tinto Brass is Riz Ortolani’s (Cannibal Holocaust) outstanding score, which perfectly underscores the mood. P.O. Box Tinto Brass would be Riz Ortolani’s fifth and final collaboration with Tinto Brass.

Although P.O. Box Tinto Brass has all the elements that are synonymous with his films from The Key onward, what sets it apart from his similarly themed films is the significant role he plays in the story that unfolds. Tinto Brass, like Alfred Hitchcock before him, fully embraces his cinema persona. That said, where most filmmakers saw a decline later on in their careers, Tinto Brass from The Key to Monamour delivered A+ erotica.

P.O. Box Tinto Brass gets an exceptional release from Cult Epics that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a trio of insightful extras. 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

The Key: 2-Disc Edition – Cult Epics (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1983
Director: Tinto Brass
Writer: Tinto Brass
Cast: Stefania Sandrelli, Frank Finlay, Barbara Cupisti, Franco Branciaroli, Ricky Tognazzi, Ugo Tognazzi

Release Date: March 24th, 2026
Approximate Running Time: 111 Minutes 12 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / HDR10
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian/English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $49.95

"Art professor Nino (Frank Finlay) feels he can no longer satisfy his younger, passionate wife Teresa (Stefania Sandrelli) the way she desires. He articulates his innermost thoughts and sexual fantasies in a diary, including the secret wish to see his daughter's fiancé's Laszlo (Franco Branciaroli) make love to Teresa. Nino leaves the key to the drawer, containing the diary, out for his wife to find." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5 (4K UHD), 4.5/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "4K Transfer and Restoration from the original camera negative."

The Key comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD

Disc Size: 59.8 GB

Feature: 56.3 GB

This transfer looks exceptional. Flesh tones look healthy; colors are vibrant; image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic appearance. That said, there are two things I considered when coming up with a score for this transfer. How does it compare to this film’s previous home video releases, and does it look any better than this transfer? It's a solid upgrade that’s superior in every way to this film’s previous home media releases.

The Key comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 44.1 GB

Feature: 29.8 GB 

This Blu-ray uses the same master that is used for the 4K UHD disc.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian and English. The audio sounds excellent; dialogue always comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and ambient sounds and the score are well-represented. Included are removable English subtitles for the dialogue and text in Italian.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include a theatrical trailer for All Ladies Do It (3 minutes 21 seconds, LPCM mono Italian and English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Frivolous Lola (2 minutes 17 seconds, LPCM mono Italian with removable English subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Cheeky (3 minutes 24 seconds, LPCM mono Italian and English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for The Key (3 minutes 7 seconds, LPCM mono Italian and English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with film historians Eugenio Ercolani and Marcus Stiglegger.

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include a theatrical trailer for All Ladies Do It (3 minutes 21 seconds, LPCM mono Italian and English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Frivolous Lola (2 minutes 17 seconds, LPCM mono Italian with removable English subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Cheeky (3 minutes 24 seconds, LPCM mono Italian and English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for The Key (3 minutes 7 seconds, LPCM mono Italian and English, no subtitles), a Tinto Brass photo gallery with music playing in the background, The Key poster gallery (33 images), Outtakes of The Key: Venice (10 minutes 14 seconds, Dolby Digital mono with music from the film playing in the background), an archival interview with Tinto Brass (16 minutes 52 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with music critics Pier Paolo De Sanctis and Claudio Fulano titled Sensuous Morricone (28 minutes 29 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), a location featurette titled Keyhole Venice (7 minutes 34 seconds, Dolby Digital mono with music from the film playing in the background), an interview with actor Franco Branciaroli titled Brass’ Talisman (38 minutes 55 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an option to listen to Ennio Morricone’s score (32 minutes 5 seconds, LPCM mono, 10 tracks), and an audio commentary with Eugenio Ercolani and Marcus Stiglegger. 

Other extras include reversible cover art with original Italian poster art, a slipcase (limited to the first pressing), and a 20-page booklet with an essay titled The Body of a Generation: Stefania Sandrelli From Sicily to Venice written by Eugenio Ercolani, and archival images.

Summary:

Tinto Brass directed The Key. He’s known for Deadly Sweet, Salon Kitty, Snack Bar Budapest, and All Ladies Do It. The Key was adapted from Kagi, a novel written by Junichiro Tanizaki. Kagi has been adapted 7 times to date, the first adaptation directed by Kon Ichikawa under the title Odd Obsession and the most recent being Hiroki Inoue's The Key: Professor's Pleasure.

After noticing his wife Teresa’s interest in their daughters’ fiancées. Nino decides to spice up their sex life by encouraging his wife’s desires for this other man. Nino and Teresa's discovery of each other's diaries complicates matters significantly. This revelation ends up putting additional strains on their already troubled marriage. Will Nino be able to put his jealousy aside or will he let things go so far that there will be no turning back from the damage that has been done?

Tinto Brass's career can be broken down into three stages: the initial stage saw him making what are arguably his most mainstream films; then he made a shift in the latter half of the 1960s, where these films are best described as avant-garde, and the third stage saw him venture into erotic cinema. People know him most for this latter stage, and at the same time, his detractors are unfair in their assessment of films. To dismiss his films from Salon Kitty onward as mere pornography completely overlooks Tinto Brass's true intentions. His works prioritize emotional depth over mere titillation, and his incorporation of humor distinguishes him from other erotic filmmakers.

Although Tinto Brass had directed two erotic films before The Key, Salon Kitty and Caligula, they lean more into exploitation cinema than any of his other erotic films. The Key is a turning point in Tinto Brass's career, establishing a consistent look and vibe in his subsequent works. He first discovered the novel Kagi in the 1960s and reportedly waited two decades to adapt it so that Stefania Sandrelli would be age-appropriate for the role of the wife.

All around, the cast are outstanding, especially Stefania Sandrelli (Seduced and Abandoned) in the role of Teresa Rolfe, the wife of a man who takes secret erotic photographs of her while she sleeps. From the beginning of her career, Stefania Sandrelli has consistently played characters regarded as objects of desire. In The Key, she arguably delivers her finest performance to date. Notable cast members include Frank Finlay (Twisted Nerve) in the role of Teresa’s husband, Barbara Cupisti (Stage Fright) in the role of Teresa’s daughter, and Ugo Tognazzi (Weak Spot) portrays a drunk.

From a production standpoint, The Key is Tinto Brass’s most accomplished film. Set in the early months of 1940, this period film features exemplary production design that effectively recreates the era. The narrative is perfectly constructed, successfully capturing your attention and building momentum. Ennio Morricone, in his one and only collaboration, delivers an exceptional score that gives The Key elegance while retaining its sensual atmosphere. Visually, The Key is a beautifully photographed film that takes full advantage of Venice’s locations and Stefania Sandrelli’s ample assets. Ultimately, The Key is an extraordinary exploration of jealousy and desire, making it Tinto Brass's crowning achievement as a filmmaker.

The Key gets an exceptional release from Cult Epics that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a trio of insightful extras. 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

Cheeky – Cult Epics (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 2000
Director: Tinto Brass
Writers: Tinto Brass, Carla Cipriani, Nicolaj Pennestri, Silvia Rossi, Massimiliano Zanin
Cast: Yuliya Mayarchuk, Jarno Berardi, Francesca Nunzi, Max Parodi, Mauro Lorenz

Release Date: October 22nd, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 90 Minutes 28 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / HDR10
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 Italian, DTS-HD Stereo Italian, DTS-HD 5.1 English, DTS-HD Stereo English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $49.95

"Will you be able to endure the sexy hilarity as Carla visits London? She's a big hit with everyone - except her boyfriend Matteo, who seethes with jealousy when she meets the horny lesbian real estate agent Moira." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5 (4K UHD), 4.5/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "New 4K Transfer (from the original negative) & Restoration with HDR."

Cheeky comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD

Disc Size: 61.6 GB

Feature: 56.8 GB

This transfer looks exceptional. Flesh tones look healthy; colors are vibrant; image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic appearance. That said, there are two things I considered when coming up with a score for this transfer. How does it compare to this film’s previous home video releases, and does it look any better than this transfer? It's a solid upgrade that’s superior in every way to this film’s previous home media releases.

Cheeky comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43.6 GB

Feature: 27.5 GB 

This Blu-ray uses the same master that is used for the 4K UHD disc.

Audio: 5/5 (DTS-HD 5.1 Italian, DTS-HD Stereo Italian, DTS-HD 5.1 English, DTS-HD Stereo English)

This release comes with four audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Italian, a DTS-HD stereo mix in Italian, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in English, and a DTS-HD stereo mix in English. Quality-wise, you can’t go wrong with any of these audio tracks; they are all in great shape. Dialog comes through clearly; everything sounds balanced, and range-wise, they all sound great. Included are removable English subtitles for the Italian language track and removable English subtitles for Italian text when watching with the English language track.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include a theatrical trailer for Cheeky (3 minutes 24 seconds, LPCM mono Italian and English, no subtitles), a theatrical teaser for Cheeky (1 minute 20 seconds, LPCM mono Italian and English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for All Ladies Do It (3 minutes 21 seconds, LPCM mono Italian and English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Frivolous Lola (2 minutes 17 seconds, LPCM mono Italian with removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with Eugenio Ercolani and Nathaniel Thompson.

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include a theatrical trailer for Cheeky (3 minutes 24 seconds, LPCM mono Italian and English, no subtitles), a theatrical teaser for Cheeky (1 minute 20 seconds, LPCM mono Italian and English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for All Ladies Do It (3 minutes 21 seconds, LPCM mono Italian and English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Frivolous Lola (2 minutes 17 seconds, LPCM mono Italian with removable English subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Paprika (1 minute 11 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), a theatrical trailer for P.O. Box Tinto Brass (1 minute 15 seconds, LPCM stereo with Italian with text, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Istintobrass (4 minutes 13 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), a photo gallery for Cheeky (21 images), an option to listen to Pino Donaggio’s score (4 minutes 17 seconds), an archival featurette titled Backstage with Tinto Brass (8 minutes 18 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with cinematographer Massimo Di Venanzo (37 minutes 49 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with Eugenio Ercolani and Nathaniel Thompson.

Other extras include reversible cover art, four repro Italian lobby card prints (first pressing exclusive), a slipcover (first pressing exclusive) and a 20-page booklet with an essay titled The Cheeks of Controversy: Yuliya Mayarchuk and Tinto Brass written by Eugenio Ercolani and Domenico Monetti.

Summary:

Tinto Brass directed Cheeky. He’s known for Deadly Sweet, Salon Kitty, The Key, Snack Bar Budapest, and All Ladies Do It.

The narrative revolves around a woman looking for an apartment so her boyfriend can join her in London. Constantly bombarded by sexual advances, she tries to remain faithful to her boyfriend.

“Pornography is there to give you an erection. Erotica is there to give you emotions.” - Tinto Brass

This above quote perfectly sums up Tinto Brass’ cinema. When compared to other filmmakers who worked in softcore erotica, Tinto Brass is in a class all of his own. Outside of two exceptions, Salon Kitty and Caligula, Tinto Brass’ erotica cinema is overflowing with beauty; it never becomes vulgar like most erotica films.

Cheeky opens with a playful sequence, the protagonist, Carla, walking through a park where everyone around her is fornicating. This sequence climaxes with a man exposing himself to her, and she returns the favor by exposing his ass to him. This sequence perfectly sets the tone for what follows, and with a few words, it makes crystal clear who Carla is.

Anyone who's familiar with the cinema knows they can expect two things: beautiful women and lingering shots of women’s asses. A standout moment that exemplifies this: women bend over a couch at a party, offering men the opportunity to choose which one they desire. This moment features a breathtaking tracking shot that shows Tinto Brass’ knack for photographing asses. Another standout moment is a flashback on a beach with Carla and a former lover; this sequence is by far the most erotic moment in Cheeky.

Most of Tinto Brass’ films rely heavily on relatively unknown actresses who serve as his muse. Case in point: Yuliya Mayarchuk's captivating portrayal of Carla, a flirtatious young woman who makes no apologies for being a sexual being. Her character Carla is significant; for the first time, Tinto Brass explored a lesbian relationship between two main characters.

From a production standpoint, Tinto Brass shows that he still has the Midas touch when it comes to crafting well-crafted erotica. Cheeky’s exemplary production design, and every inch of every frame is exquisitely photographed, prove once again that Tinto Brass’ eye for detail is second to none. Composer Pino Donaggio delivers another exceptional score that does a phenomenal job reinforcing the mood. Ultimately, Cheeky is a well-made exploration about how absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Cheeky gets an exceptional release from Cult Epics that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a trio of insightful extras. 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

Frivolous Lola – Cult Epics (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1998
Director: Tinto Brass
Writers: Tinto Brass, Barbara Alberti, Carla Cipriani
Cast: Anna Ammirati, Patrick Mower, Max Parodi, Susanna Martinková, Antonio Salines, Francesca Nunzi, Vittorio Attene, Laura Trotter, Carlo Reali, Maurizio Prudenzi, Edith Rozanyai, Alberto Capone, Serena Grandi

Release Date: May 7th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 104 Minutes 28 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / HDR10
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 Italian, DTS-HD Stereo Italian, DTS-HD 5.1 English, DTS-HD Stereo English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $49.95

"Join the Joie de Vivre club with the maddeningly charming Lola, as she plots to loosen up her fiancé in this exuberant sexy comedy. Everyone is wild about Lola - even, some suspect, her own stepfather." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5 (4K UHD), 4.5/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "New 4K Transfer (from the original negative) & Restoration with HDR."

Frivolous Lola comes on a 100 GB triple layer 4K UHD

Disc Size: 81.2 GB

Feature: 76.6 GB

This transfer looks exceptional. Flesh tones look healthy; colors are vibrant; image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic appearance. That said, there are two things I considered when coming up with a score for this transfer. How does it compare to this film’s previous home video releases, and does it look any better than this transfer? It's a solid upgrade that’s superior in every way to this film’s previous home media releases.

Frivolous Lola comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 37.2 GB

Feature: 31.8 GB 

This Blu-ray uses the same master that is used for the 4K UHD disc.

Audio: 5/5 (DTS-HD 5.1 Italian, DTS-HD Stereo Italian, DTS-HD 5.1 English, DTS-HD Stereo English)

This release comes with four audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in Italian, a DTS-HD stereo mix in Italian, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in English, and a DTS-HD stereo mix in English. Quality-wise, you can’t go wrong with any of these audio tracks; they are all in great shape. Dialog comes through clearly; everything sounds balanced, and range-wise, they all sound great. Included are removable English subtitles for the Italian language track, and when watching with the English language tracks, there are scenes in Italian with removable English subtitles for these scenes.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include a theatrical trailer for All Ladies Do It (3 minutes 21 seconds, LPCM mono Italian and English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Frivolous Lola (2 minutes 17 seconds, LPCM mono Italian with removable English subtitles) and an audio commentary with Eugenio Ercolani and Nathaniel Thompson.

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include a theatrical trailer for All Ladies Do It (3 minutes 21 seconds, LPCM mono Italian and English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Frivolous Lola (2 minutes 17 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Paprika (1 minute 11 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), a theatrical trailer for P.O. Box Tinto Brass (1 minute 15 seconds, LPCM stereo with Italian with text, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer for Istintobrass (4 minutes 13 seconds, LPCM stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), a photo gallery for Frivolous Lola (20 images), an archival interview with director Tinto Brass (25 minutes 51 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles) and an audio commentary with Eugenio Ercolani and Nathaniel Thompson.

Other extras include reversible cover art, four repro Italian lobby card prints (first pressing exclusive), a slipcover (first pressing exclusive) and a 20-page booklet with an essay titled A Committed Brat: The Career of Anna Ammirati written by Eugenio Ercolani and Domenico Monetti.

Summary:

Tinto Brass directed Frivolous Lola. He’s known for Deadly Sweet, Salon Kitty, The Key, Snack Bar Budapest, and All Ladies Do It.

The narrative revolves around a young woman who struggles to keep her virginity due to her flirtatious nature, which is having an arousing effect on all the men in her village.

Tinto Brass really knows how to introduce his protagonists. Frivolous Lola opens with its protagonist, Lola, riding a bike as the wind repeatedly blows her skirt up. This opening does two things: it perfectly captures without any words who Lola is, and it also plays into the voyeur aesthetic of Tinto Brass’ visual eye.

Most Tinto Brass films have a protagonist whose world revolves around their escapades, and yet Frivolous Lola is the direct opposite. And though there is an undeniable sexiness to the Lola character, she has a genuine, playful innocence that is unlike any character to appear before or since in a Tinto Brass film.

Lola has met the man of her dreams, and she wants to save her virginity for him. She does not want to shut herself away from the world or change who she is. She is a young woman who is full of life, and her main objective in life is to have fun.

Besides the aforementioned problems with her fiance due to her flirting, Frivolous Lola also weaves another subplot that revolves around a man who is her mother’s lover. And though everyone in town believes that he is Lola’s father, he is not sure if she is really his daughter. This subplot sets up some very unusual and, at times, uncomfortable moments. That said, at least in regards to this relationship, things never devolve into the decadent behavior that is present in several of Tinto Brass’ other films.

Setting the narrative in a bygone era is nothing new to Brass, who has set several of his films in the past, most notably during World War II. This time around, he sets Frivolous Lola in the gentler era of the 1950s, and in this regard, this is Frivolous Lola’s most durable asset. This setting greatly aids Frivolous Lola’s lighter tone.

Tinto Brass had a knack for discovering his leading ladies, and with Anna Ammirati, he once again finds a perfect muse. She gives a remarkable performance that is equally engaging and provocative. It is not hard to see how anyone would not fall head over heels for her. That said, the performances all around are great.

From a production standpoint, Frivolous Lola delivers in spades. The production design is solid, the pacing is pitch perfect, and the visuals are solid, as Tinto Brass fills every frame with eye-catching angles that highlight his leading lady’s assets. Ultimately, Frivolous Lola is a highly entertaining and humorous sexually laced farce about the obstacles that can happen before a wedding night.

Frivolous Lola gets an exceptional release from Cult Epics that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a trio of insightful extras. 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 VLC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer