In 1967,
sexploitation filmmaker Joseph W. Sarno traveled to Sweden for the freedom to make a
film that would cement his significance in erotic films. But before the impact
of Inga would be known, Sarno returned
to the United States
to make a series of low-budget erotica that is better known for discussion of
taboo topics than for the graphicness of the actual content. The scenes of
sexuality being awakened in a young girl may have been shocking in Inga, but the discussion of vibrators,
the pill, and lesbianism in All the Sins
of Sodom, Vibrations, and The Wall of Flesh were just as shocking
without the need for the content to be as explicit.
This Blu-ray
double-feature release includes two of those three films, made in the same New York City apartment
with many of the same cast and crew members, presented with a new 2K digital
restoration of each. All the Sins of
Sodom follows the sexual exploits of a male photographer named Henning (Dan
Machuen) who is in the process of creating a portfolio of work featuring his
model, Leslie (Maria Lease), who he also happens to be in a relationship with.
This dynamic is complicated by the arrival of another model named Joyce (Sue
Akers), who introduces a new dynamic to Henning’s photos and his and Leslie’s
love life. Something in Leslie is awakened by Joyce’s touch, which Henning
makes sure to capture on camera before the film devolves into a series of orgy
sequences.
Vibrations continues the same
fascination with taboo lesbian encounters, while adding to it the topic of
incest. As the title suggests, Vibrations
also centers on the newly marketed sex toy that was also present in All the Sins of Sodom. This time around
Maria Lease returns as Barbara Long, a sexually repressed woman who has rented
an apartment next to the kinky Georgia Olmstead (Rita Bennett). As curious as
she is about the happenings in the apartment next to her, Barbara is too
reserved to find out for herself, but the same can not be said of her bold sister,
Julia (Marianne Prevost), whose arrival is quickly followed by sexual exploits
within the apartment building. Estranged after having an incestuous past with
each other, each of the sisters has sexually developed differently as a result.
Their reunion brings up those past issues, with the help of Barbara’s neighbor
and her vibrator.
Although some of
the content in Sarno’s later films would become far more graphic, and Inga itself was an X-rated piece of
exploitation, but these low budget sexploitation films are more experimentation
in taboo subjects than daring content. There is certainly sex and nudity within
the scenes of All the Sins of Sodom
and Vibrations, but they are likely
to seem tame to today’s audiences. Women are often in various states of
undress, but neither film ever has full nudity. What is far more shocking at
the time was the female character’s taking control of their own sexuality,
whether through lesbian encounters or by creating their own orgasms sans the
male contribution. Men still play a part in the proceedings, but there is some
clear feminist ideology mixed in with Sarno’s preoccupation with the male gaze.
Each of these
two films have been given a new 2K digital restoration, allowing for
presentations of remarkable clarity. Even if the other releases of these films
weren’t out of print or difficult to find, this release would still be the best
version available. On top of the pristine presentation of these influential
sexploitation films, the Blu-ray disc also comes with a few extras to go with
the double feature. There is a filmed interview with Sarno, as well as
commentary track featuring film historian Tim Lucas joined by Peggy
Steffans-Sarno. The package also comes with a booklet insert that has liner
notes by Tim Lucas alongside cast/crew information and production photos.
Entertainment Value:
6/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 6.5/10
Historical
Significance: 6/10
Special Features: 6/10
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