I have to admit that this anthology exceeded my expectations – though it’s still, basically, an uneven experience.
Jaeckin’s “Island Of The Sirens” is a formulaic “Robinson Crusoe”-type tale with a distinct wish-fulfillment angle (exposed in the ending) and which marked an interesting collaboration between the director of EMMANUELLE (1974) and Laura Gemser (star of the copycat “Black Emanuelle” series of films). The energetic score by Pierre Bachelet keeps one watching, even if the ‘horrifying’ twist is predictable (and the resulting gore awkwardly handled).
“The Glass Labyrinth” proves to be a meaninglessly-titled Oriental tale about a young boy’s obsession with a childhood ditty; initially intriguing, eventually, it takes a highly cerebral and increasingly confusing stance (as per the supplementary biographical notes on director Terayama, he was into all sorts of intellectual activity) which likens it to the films of David Lynch! The incident involving the nymphomaniac is undeniably erotic, but then it turns into a story about incest (I think) and even features the involvement of assorted weirdos – at least, the pounding score is (once again) terrific! By the way, the element of body-painting utilized as a protection against evil is reminiscent of the “Hoichi The Earless” segment from another portmanteau – Masaki Kobayashi’s classic KWAIDAN (1964); also, contemporary Japanese film-maker Juzo Itami is featured here as an actor.
I wouldn’t be surprised if most people find Borowczyk’s episode, “The Cupboard”, to be the least from this compendium; however, I liked it a good deal – even if there isn’t a lot of nudity (unlike, say, the same director’s IMMORAL WOMEN [1979] – also a triptych and which was simultaneously released on DVD). As a matter of fact, it’s quite talky – but this serves to emphasize a talent of Borowczyk’s which is seldom commented upon, that of scriptwriting (here adapting a story by Guy de Maupassant). As usual, the meticulous visuals can’t be faulted (the cabaret/merry-go-round setting somehow recalled Max Ophuls’ equally elegant LA RONDE [1950]) and the twist at the end is far less mysterious (and perverse) than the DVD sleeve-notes would have it – as it won’t surprise anyone familiar with Borowczyk’s THE BEAST (1975)! The main supplement on Severin’s DVD is a 9-minute featurette with Jaeckin: he speaks in a heavy French accent, so that it took me a few seconds before I even realized that the interview was being conducted in English! Anyway, he seems to have had misgivings about participating in a multi-part film (which he did merely as a favor to veteran producer Pierre Braunberger) but, at least, seems to have enjoyed working with Gemser amid the tropical island setting…
