HEY BASTARDS!

As anyone who knows me realizes, I’m a huge fan of the films of Radley Metzger, and I think it’s great that so many of his films are finally receiving their due. Distribpix’s release of THE OPENING OF MISTY BEETHOVEN set a high standard for Blu-Ray releases of his films, and now the U.K.’s Arrow Video is releasing three of Metzger’s classic pieces of erotic filmmaking, CAMILLE 2000, THE LICKERISH QUARTET and SCORE, to Blu-Ray next Monday, February 11. All three feature extensive special features and a collector’s booklet by CINEMA SEWER maestro Robin Bougie.

From the press release:

One of the true pioneers of adult cinema, Metzger first made his name in 1960s New York City, as a film editor and distributor of European erotica, although it wasn’t until he started directing films in 1965 that his influence and vision really came to fruition.

Renowned for their strong sense of composition, high-tone locations and edgy, erotic subject matter, “Camille 2000”, “The Lickerish Quartet” and “Score” all date from the late 60s and early 1970s period, a time when the genre Radley helped to create was rapidly reaching a wider audience.

All three deluxe editions include brand new and never-before-seen cuts of each film, which have been pain-stakingly restored for Blu-ray and DVD (a process overseen by Metzger himself). Extensive bonus material (detailed in full below), interchangeable sleeve artwork, exclusive audio and visual featurettes, and collector’s booklets are also included, making these deluxe editions a MUST-HAVE for any discerning cult film fan.

CAMILLE 2000

From an age before the hardcore explicitness of Porno Chic comes a swingin’ late 60s erotic film brimming with Italian opulence, liberated sex and modish inflatable furniture.

When Marguerite, a promiscuous woman with a troubled past and a deep distrust of men meets Armand, she lets her guard down and falls in love. But can they resist old habits and latent emotions in order to stay together? Find out in this visual, sensual cinematic feast of multiple sexual partners, from the director of Score and The Opening Of Misty Beethoven.

A vivid mix of colour, grandiose set design, bizarre costumes and frank sexuality, Camille 2000 is an essential piece of erotic film history and a must see for cult movie fans.

Special Features:
– High Definition Blu-ray and Standard Definition DVD Presentation of the extended cut – available for the first time in the UK!
– Brand new high definition restoration supervised by director Radley Metzger.
– Optional English SDH subtitles.
– Audio commentary with Metzger and film historian Michael Bowen.
– On the set of Camille 2000 – featuring stars Daniele Gaubert, Nino Castelnuovo and Radley Metzger.
– Sylviane’s Bare Striptease – previously cut scene from the feature.
– Cube Love Scene – A newly discovered alternate take.
– Restoration Comparison.
– Original trailers.
– Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly illustrated artwork by The Red Dress.
– Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Robin Bougie.

THE LICKERISH QUARTET

A mind-bending classic of erotic cinema, The Lickerish Quartet brings us a rich jaded couple and their grown-up son – bored after a night watching pornography – visiting a travelling stunt show, the star of which is bears a striking similarity to the woman in the sex film they just saw. Invited back to the castle for a drink, she soon becomes embroiled in a night of bizarre carnality, fantasy fulfilment and highly charged love games.

Hailing from a time when erotic cinema was embraced by the mainstream, The Lickerish Quartet is a dream-like fantasy of liberated love and questing eroticism which blurs the boundaries between staid reality and the surreal realms of unbridled sexual fantasy.

The Lickerish Quartet takes us back in time to an era when nudity was a novelty and sexual explicitness felt like a revolution…

Special Features:
– High Definition Blu-ray and Standard Definition DVD Presentation
– Brand new high definition restoration supervised by director Radley Metzger – uncut and available for the first time in the UK!
– Optional English SDH subtitles.
– Audio commentary with Metzger and film historian Michael Bowen.
– The Making of The Lickerish Quartet – A behind-the-scenes look featuring rare footage of Silvana Venturelli, Paolo Turco and Radley Metzger.
– Cool Version Love Scenes – originally produced scenes where the original version too hot!
– Giving Voice to the Quartet – a look at the different audio tracks between the original location and dubbed soundtracks.
– Original trailers.
– Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly illustrated artwork by The Red Dress.
– Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Robin Bougie.

SCORE

Riding an early 70s wave of ever more liberal big screen morals, Score takes us to the imaginary city of Leisure, where an experienced couple are playing dangerous games of seduction on the swinging scene. They’re taking bets on who can screw who, as they play fast and very loose with a newly married couple – Betsy and Eddie – two cute kids who are about to get their world turned upside down…

As the two couples dance around one another and the wine and pot begin to take hold, will the young and naive pair break their vows and succumb to the new morality of their hosts? Will Betsy wear the dog collar and leash? Find out in Metzger’s paean to sexual liberation, softcore Lesbianism and gender-bending erotic freedom!

Special Features:
– High Definition Blu-ray and Standard Definition DVD Presentation
– Brand new high definition restoration supervised by director Radley Metzger – uncut and available for the first time in the UK!
– Optional English SDH subtitles.
– On the set of Score – a behind the scenes look at the making of Score containing rare footage of Claire Wilber, Lynn Lowry, Cal Culver, Gerald Grant and Radley Metzger.
– Keeping Score with Lynn Rowley (The Crazies, Shivers) – an interview with Score’s star.
– Original trailers.
– Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly illustrated artwork by The Red Dress.
– Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Robin Bougie.

For more info, check out Arrow’s site here!

– P

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Jon Abrams

Editor-In-Chief at Daily Grindhouse

Jon Abrams is a New York-based writer, cartoonist, and committed cinemaniac whose complete work and credits can be found at his site, Demon’s Resume. You can contact him on Twitter as @JonZilla___.