Stars:
Mary Mendum, Carl Parker, and Marilyn Roberts
Based
On The Novel By: Jean De Berg
Director:
Radley Metzger
Feature
length: 94 minutes
Extras:
Isolated Music Score and Trailer
Languages:
English Stereo and Monaural Sound
Subtitles:
N/A
Packaging:
Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 11
Sound:
Stereo and Monaural Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 1975/DVD Release: 2002
Home
Video Distributor: Synapse Films
MPAA
Rating: Not Rated, But Contains Scenes Of Explicit Sexual Content
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
A
week or so ago one of the DVD newsgroups had a thread about erotic Hollywood
films where the stars really engaged in simulated sexual acts on camera. “The
Image” is a non-Hollywood film that takes this premise farther than almost any
film I have ever seen. The storyline in some ways reminds me a bit of David
Cronenberg’s “Crash” because we are basically introduced in both films to
a fringe world where some form of sadomasochism becomes the instrument for
extending erotic pleasure. So whether it is a car or the “Gothic Room,” we
are put unflinchingly close to a reality that is both alarming and alluring.
“The
Image” is presented uncut and uncensored for the first time ever on home video
with what just might be one of the best restorations Synapse Films has ever
done. Presented in a (1.78:1) anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio, “The
Image” looks simply amazing. There are no artifacts, color bleeding, or
compression grain to be seen at all. This in my opinion looks better than some
DVD releases of recently released films by the major studios. A clear new
English Stereo Soundtrack mix is included along with the original two-channel
monaural soundtrack and an isolated film score track. With the exception of
trailers, there are not many extra features to be found on this DVD, but in the
end all the extras in the world do not mean a thing without a good picture and
soundtrack, which Synapse Films delivers in spades. There are liner notes by
Stephen R. Bissette within the insert inside the DVD keep case. The menus are
standard interactive still frames that are easy to navigate.
Certainly
a pivotal film in the history of eroticism in cinema, “The Image” is
available on DVD-Video now from Synapse Films at retailers on and offline and
can also be ordered directly from Synapse Film’s website at www.synapse-films.com.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.