Trying to decide what to title my review of this film was
difficult. The film is not a pornographic feature but at the same time contains
moments what would qualify to place it in that category, if on the tamest side.
At the same time I don’t think I would consider the film a straightforward
drama. It has dramatic elements but not solely. Then there is the criminal
elements of the stories here. All of these combine to make an interesting yet
at times disturbing film. Considering that it was made in 1969 can be stunning
when one thinks of the self-censorship seen in this country. How it was able to
play here would be interesting to read about.
The film takes place in the past, an anthology film with
three separate stories woven around a central character, a doctor who is
witness to each one. The first involves a young woman who owes a group of thugs
money. When they tell her they will take it out on her physically she is
rescued by a young man. What she doesn’t realize is that he is working with
these thugs. He romances her and then gives her a sob story of owing money and
forcing her to work as a prostitute. But things go from bad to worse for our
heroine.
The second story involves a woman with an incredibly strange
fetish. She is only aroused by deformed or scarred men. While not letting the
rest of the world know of her secret she has her servant procure men for her.
He watches distastefully, in love with his mistress but unable to provide for
her in his own appearance that which she seeks. Unless he can do something to
change that.
The third story involves a cruel and vicious master of a
household whose taste run the strangest of the three stories. He begins by
having a group of women clad in red dresses perform in the central area of his home
but then release bulls into their midst with horns aflame. The bulls attack and
gore the women with the exception of one who discards her clothing to eliminate
the red that attracts the bulls. This fascinates the man who takes her on as
his lover. But there is more to be learned from these events that only come
alive as the segment ends.
The film features what is considered more normal fetishes in
today’s world like bondage, sadomasochism and nudity that seems a bit much for
a film made that in year. But strangely enough director Teruo Ishii shoots the
film with an artistic eye that moves it up a notch from sheer exploitation to
another level. Scenes are done with style and panache that one would not expect
in a film like this. An example is in the first segment when the young con man
chases the woman in question with romance on his mind in a field of tapestries
laid out for them to run around.
Some have called the movie a cult film and I would have to
agree. It offers all of the things cult films seem to contain plenty of from
nudity to fetishes to subversive storytelling. It may not be a movie that many
will enjoy but those who seek out the grindhouse style feature or who are
interested in the movies that have made their way to our shores from Japan will
want to make sure and look for this one.
Arrow Video. I know you’re tired of me singing their praises
but too bad because they deserve it. The picture here looks clean and clear
with a sharp eye for color to be enjoyed in high definition. Extras this time
are limited but worthwhile, including THE ORGIES OF ISHII an exclusive newly
filmed interview with author Patrick Maccias, the theatrical trailer, a
reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt
Griffin and for the first pressing only an illustrated collector’s booklet with
new writing on the film by author Tom Mes.
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