The Image (1975)
Director: Radley Metzger
Where to get it: Synapse Films
From acclaimed director Radley Metzger (“The Opening of Misty Beethoven,” “Barbara Broadcast”), THE IMAGE (aka “The Punishment of Anne” / “The Mistress and the Slave”) is an explicit study of the sadomasochistic ménage à trois between Jean (Carl Parker from Metzger’s “Score”), his longtime friend Claire, and young, seductive Anne. When Jean discovers the women’s master/slave relationship he finds himself seduced into their perverse sexual games. This film does pack some strong sexual moments, but if you are a fan of film, you’ll be intrigued by what you see.
The Image comes to us fully uncut and uncensored with a newly remixed 5.1 surround soundtrack. The film looks great and sounds great. I’ve never seen an older erotic film look this good, EVER. And the content of this movie is some of the strangest stuff I have ever seen! The story shows us the tale of a man named, Jean, as he is introduced to an older woman named Claire and her apparent sex slave, Anne. Anne is of course played by the lovely Rebecca Brooke. What follows is strange but very engaging to the viewer. I think in all what we get is honest to goodness torture porn. And I mean that literally, not just figuratively speaking.
As the film proceeds, we see a love triangle of sorts. Or perhaps it’s better off being called a 3-way love fest? We get very graphic sexual encounters (and I mean that, it leaves very little out) and the story is very much hung on to that aspect of the film. And the movie is pretty much sexual encounter after odd sexual encounter. It makes for some very erotic scenes that will pleasure the hardcore fan of sexual based film and catch the attention of people who just love films in general. As we go on in the movie, we do seem to haven issues pop up with our character near the end as the intensity is raised up a few notches. While I find it hard sometimes to find a good erotic film, I will say in all honesty this one never bored me and I never wanted to hit fast forward. And also I will state again, the film looks outstanding for a film like this. A must see for any hardcore fans of the erotic film genre and not a bad watch for other either.
(6.5/10)
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