User reviews

I wasn't expecting anything when I rented this, except maybe good performances of both the lead actors - Ben Kingsley and Nastassja Kinski, both of whom I think are very good at what they do. I expected it to be avant-garde (which as far as I know usually implies a rather complicated or stretchy movie that might be strenuous to watch at parts), and it turned out to be just that - little dialog to make the images work, and some scenes the movie could have done very well without. What separates this from a GOOD avant garde is the notorious lack of any meaningful plot, or idea that the director wishes to convey. And if there's something I can't stand it's an old-as-the-hills story cosily cloaked in a directors' slightly demented vision. "susceptive foreigner falls in love with a man from foreign culture, and learns to love and understand this foreign culture after initial struggles". That's it. Not more and not less. This movie may be slightly less kitchy than other movies with the same theme, but the price for this is high - many endless and dragging scenes portraying things previously shown enough times. That just makes you want to grab your remote and fast-forward a little bit. However, this movie does have some rather original "twists" to the plot, and it's good enough to keep you watching throughout. It's also straight-forward enough to appeal to people who usually avoid avant garde and "the artsy". No prior knowledge of the theme is needed before watching this movie, which is a bliss.

An American woman, Nastassja Kinski, is kidnapped off the streets of New York and ends up in a harem. This movie is not to be confused with Rudolph Valentino's "The Sheik" essentially because "Harem" is dead once the scenery moves into an unknown Arabian desert where the shifting sands seem to have caused time to nearly stop. Poor Ben Kingsley plays a lifeless role that is in marked contrast to the more meaty role that Nastassja has been given. Without Nastassja, there is no movie and even she cannot save this very slow, dull, when-is-it-going-to-end movie. Except for Nastassja, the picture lacks life. The script is DOA and one wonders how these sorts of movies ever see the light of day. At least it is comforting to know that no amount of money in the world will buy off Nastassja's character - American women can be feisty and independent even if they have to rely upon their feminine wiles. "Harem" is a movie that is so bad that one cannot forget it.

The video cover portrayed womens breasts and immediately I thought it was going to be a trashy film, this was not so! It was a well executed character driven film concentrating on lifestyle, love and changing lifestyles. Very little dialogue which was incredible to watch and when it was utilised, it was very powerful. A quiet beginning, but unfolded soon to be quiet intriguing. I found the script to be masterly. In addition to excellent performances by Ben Kingsley and Nastasha Kinsky. Definitely worth watching if you like this genre and plot line. A little more scenery wouldn't go astray, but overall - brilliant - it wasn't a trashy boob harem movie at all (sorry to disappoint you fellas)

We the poor public have to watch the contents of someone's sexual fantasies up there on the silver screen.

An American girl, who - by design or otherwise - looks strangely like Michael from The Bangles - is given a drugged hot drink on a cold day and wakes up in the heat of the Arabian desert minus her pantyhose. She discovers she has been captured not by a Valentino-type, but by a middle-aged man with a bald head and a moustache. The rest of the film is a seduction and a motor tour through the desert, punctuated by this poor girl being painted with henna.

Unless you are looking for a cure for insomnia, you would do well to give this film a miss and watch Valentino in The Sheik instead.

Back in the eighties I was a floor trader on the NYFE where the opening trading scenes were filmed. We filmed in the late afternoon\early evening after the exchange had closed. Remember facing forward toward the camera in the center of the trading ring as the fellow traders had their backs to the lens, and upwards at the camera when the director said action. I can distinctly recall how beautiful and large Ms.Kinski's eyes were, as we mock traded with her in the futures pit. The movie was somewhat dry (maybe the second location in the Arabian desert had something to do with it) otherwise only the personal memories would make me have the slightest interest in it.

This film about a relationships, old versus new ways of life, culture, sex and traditions should have been better. However what we get is strange art-house film that borders to exploitation.

The director Arthur Joffé is really trying to say something deep here but according to me,he fails. While trying to do a dark, meaningful film along the same lines as Jalsaghar (1958), Da hong deng long gao gao gua/ Raise the Red Lantern(1991) etc this film almost never reaches that level and becomes more like Paradise (1982).

More like a softporn drama film in a exotic setting, then an romantic drama with very dark undertones. It is shame, because Nastassja Kinski is very good here, gives of probably one of her best performances, and with Ben Kingsley holds this film on their shoulders.

The directors choice to use the stockholm syndrome as romantic plot device doesn't really sit well with this reviewer and also reminds me of some Pinku eiga films I've seen.

But people who are still curious about this unusual and hard to come by film, see it for Nastassja Kinski & Ben Kingsleys sake, nothing else.

Also viewers sensitive about nudity or sex should avoid this film.

This film is very beautiful, and Sir Ben Kingsly acts outstandingly. The film is huge in France, and with good reason. It is an intriguing, unique, and magical film. The film is on French TV I hear like every other week, still to this day! PS Don't be thrown off by the title, the film is, in fact, a sincere love story. I think it deserves a re-release in theaters in America. The only critique I have is the orchestrated music, which is a bit melodramatic. But other than that, the cinematography is beautiful, the acting is subtle and brilliant, and the direction is excellent. I suggest to rent it! Voila! I think that it is a breath-taking film.