Director: Bert Torn (Mac Ahlberg)
Review By: Nathan D. Pazsint

Available from XPLOITED CINEMA!
Released By: Impulse Pictures/Xploited Cinema
Year of Release: 1975
Running Time: 95 minutes
Rating: Unrated
Color Format: Color
Audio/Subtitles: Swedish with optional English subtitles
Region Code: 0, NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1/16:9
16:9 Enhanced: Yes
Special Features: No
Trailer Online: No

The Marquis de Sade’s classic tales JUSTINE and JULIETTE have proven to be irresistible subject matter to filmmakers over the years, resulting in countless efforts both grandiose and gutter-bound. Franco’s colorful euro classics have always been a favorite but here’s a strong example of the Swede’s grabbing a piece of the action, and by action we mean the hardcore, “Your place or mine”, “Disco will never die”, “That would look sweet in velour” kind of goodness.

First of all, never let anyone try to tell you that the 70’s didn’t produce anything worthwhile aside from super-vans because the proof is everywhere in the world of cinema and this little charmer is no exception. Swedish siren and growing cult goddess Maria Forsa heads up a cast that includes the timelessly tempting Anne Bie Warburg and American man about town Harry Reems (who, by the way, is starting to look more and more like a Sears & Roebuck catalog grandpa every time you see him). The story is simple and to the point, after being ejected from their aunt’s home the two girls each take separate paths, one of ambitious debauchery and the other of plodding piety. Being however that this is an erotic film from the seventies it all ends up in a lot of socks to the sky sexcapades that nobody really regrets and everyone just makes a sandwich and takes a nap at the end of the day as opposed to suffering any moral tribulation.

Perhaps in that light the best way to judge a film such as JUSTINE & JULIETTE is to get down to the straight locker room rundown. Is it pretty? Yes. Is it executed with style and professional attention to detail? Yes. Is the story interesting enough to keep you going? Yes. Are there weird Swedish interpretive dancers who switch between hardcore sex and groping some guy who looks like an extra from HAXAN? Actually, yes. Now on to what you really care about you dirty, dirty, little monkeys. Maria Forsa is widely accepted as one of the single most hot blooded actresses to have worked in erotic cinema to date. She bedded co-stars with abandon, reputedly opted to perform hardcore sequences when only soft material was to be shown, and exuded a mockless, guttural moan throughout her performances that would make even ol’ Harry Reems blush. She was more than believable. Watching Maria Forsa is truly like peaking through an open window, and frankly folks, she really likes having you there. Anne Bie Warburg is nothing to pass by either and consistently emits a tangible warmth so enchanting one could easily go from clergyman to drooling lap dog in less time then it takes to mumble through the Hail Mary. Harry, well, he’s Harry ya know? He’s always fun to watch especially so in his transcontinental jaunts such as this, and is perfectly at home portraying Don Miller (Jeez…) an affluent American tasting his way through the litany of Stockholm’s brothels before becoming consumed by the lusty fames of Juliette’s burning…oh hell, nevermind. You get the picture. Disc specs, forget it. The picture is great and serves the movie well, and the sound is at least par but after that forget it. That’s all there is to talk about.

Xploited Cinema has been a staple supplier of corrupting classics from the retail arena for a number of years which makes this a happy, happy day. The big question is this: Will Tony Xploited, the trusted tycoon behind the boxes of other men’s masterpieces appearing in eager mailboxes everywhere transform into a powerhouse producer of desirable discs of his own???? Well let’s hope so because this is one cat who know’s his milk, so lets hope he stays in dairy if you know what I mean. Awesome start guys, keep up the good work.