REVIEW: Marquis De Sade
Marquis De Sade: -Intimate Tales of the Dark Prince- (1996)
Having purchased this movie many months ago in a Korean edition released by VIX, I had to repurchase this movie a second time due to some most ridiculous censoring. The Korean edition was barely watchable and had to be turned off due to censoring of paintings of naked women in the opening credits. I hate purchasing a cut movie if I know I can avoid it, but censorship is much worse in my book. Besides, this is a De Sade movie; I figured it was something that should be enjoyed uncensored if possible. Recently I was able to acquire a copy of the Out of Print r1 New Concorde release so that I could sit and not be bothered by ridiculous half-screen blurring.
I can’t say I was expecting an epic picture from this Roger Corman produced film, but I was at least expecting something rather filthy; being a story about the Marquis De Sade himself. The Marquis’ story in this movie revolves mostly around De Sade and the character Justine and her quest to find her missing sister Juliette. If those names sound familiar then you’re probably already familiar with the movie Justine or Justine De Sade.
The movie Justine is about 2 young sisters who go out into the world and get separated. One chooses to take the road in life of a brothel girl, thief, and murderer. While the other tries to live a clean and innocent life, but society perverts her, corrupts her, and ultimately defiles her innocence and takes almost everything away from her in the process.
Anyways, the story of Marquis De Sade in this movie is about a dead girl being found and De Sade’s Mother-in-law turning over what is the manuscript for 120 Days of Sodom and then him being arrested and sentenced to death 5 days later. Justine comes to town shortly after the Marquis’ arrest looking for her sister Juliette, but the Marquis’ is the only one who knows her sister’s whereabouts or fate. For the next 5 days Justine talks to De Sade trying to get any information or answer about her sister.
The plot for this movie is very similar to the one found in another Marquis De Sade movie called Quills, which is an amazing movie. However this one seems flawed on so many levels. Marquis De Sade is made out to be not much more than a pervert, a cheat, and a man who preys on others gloom, but also enjoys a good beating. Now you may be thinking that these things do describe De Sade, and you’re right they do, however this movie also makes him seem more of a funny wise-ass a good bit of the time.
The biggest downfall of this movie is the last 20 minutes. De Sade suddenly gets a conscious and a heart; his balls become steel and he acts like a fucking super-hero. This is the man who basically says love is a bunch of horseshit that someone made up, and pleasure is all there really is. Then the movie is pretty much completely ruined when De Sade utters the love word and feels pain for another human being, whom he’s helped destroy to begin with.
The acting isn’t grade A, but I’m pretty sure with Corman producing the budget was probably low to begin with. The sets are relatively decent and for the most part believable. The best performance definitely belonged to Janet Gunn for her portrayal of Justine. The quality of the New Concorde DVD is rather poor, but the movie itself isn’t really worth much effort for a studio to produce a higher quality release.
Personally, I’d pass on even bothering to watch this one unless there is not anything else on TV. If you like De Sade movies or stories, then you’re going to watch this one way or another anyways I’m sure. Don’t expect much in the way of extras, there is a trailer, and cast biography on both versions of the DVD.
Instead of this buy Quills instead, its an incredible movie about the Marquis De Sade that has believable acting, high quality sets, has a more filthy De Sade tone, and disserves to be in everyone’s collection.
Other really good De Sade movie recommendations:
Eugenie - The story of a young girl corrupted by the perversions of another couple. (1969, Jesus Franco)
Justine - Another tale about the corruption of a youth and defilement of innocence. (1969, Jesus Franco)
Salo 120 Days of Sodom - A sick movie about a group of 16 young kids rounded up like cattle and forced into a living with a group of 4 dignitaries. Those men basically make it their mission to corrupt the children on every level imaginable, then take it one step further. This movie is pretty sick and not for just anyone. There is lots of material dealing with fecal matter and both homo and hetero-sexuality with these youths. This movie is sometimes rather graphic and probably should not be watched with company, but rather on ones own so you can feel dirty about it yourself without having to worry about anyone else until the movie is over. Truly a disgusting masterpiece based on De Sade’s final incomplete manuscript, which is said to have cost the director his life shortly around the time of the movie’s release in 1975. (Pier Pasolini)
