Blu-Ray Review: ‘THE IMAGE’

Whoa buddy! The Image is a film that I went into blindly just because of the caliber of Synapse Films. Actually, attending my annual Spring edition of Cinema Wasteland was maybe the first time I actually really heard of Radley Metzger‘s work. It turned out Lynn Lowry (The Crazies and I Drink Your Blood) worked with Metzger on Score. When I received the Blu-Ray from our pals at Synapse, the words “Ultra Erotic” were quoted from Playboy Magazine. I knew this was one I would need to watch when the girlfriend was away.

The Film

The Image is based on the sadomasochistic novel L’Image by Catherine Robbe-Grillet. Jean gets drawn into the world of sexual slavery and sadomasochism through an Clare, an old friend, and her slave Anne. Jean is not sure how to really handle the situation at first but he quickly opens up once he realizes the dominance he has over Anne.

Make no qualms about it, The Image is pornography. That’s not to discredit the film though, unlike the majority of the gonzo and voyeuristic pornography that is out there, Synapse brings this film in high-definition for a reason. Metzger brings a respect to the content and the film is beautifully photographed. The Image was released originally in 1975 and, from what I have read, made a bit of a sensation among grindhouses. This was released around a familiarly themed The Story of O and The Image was later re-released a year later in a re-edited form. The film is also known by alternate titles like The Punishment of Anne and The Mistress and The Slave.

The Presentation

Synapse’s treatment of the film is  gorgeous to look at. It definitely highlights some of the craftsmanship of the creation of this film. Honestly, it gives me some admiration towards the filmmakers back in the 70’s as opposed to the pornographers of this era where everything is done on consumer to prosumer brand cameras and done on the cheap. This was a great film to get the hi-def treatment as it was previously released by Synapse in 2002. This Blu-Ray, again from the screen caps that I have seen since I haven’t seen this movie before this year, look better that the previous release that was 9 years old. It is definitely worth the upgrade. Synapse put the film out on Blu-Ray and DVD using the same transfer.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Newly Remixed 5.1 Surround Soundtrack
• Original 2.0 Mono Soundtrack
• Isolated Music and Effects Track
• Director Filmography
• Liner Notes
• Booklet with liner notes from Nathaniel Thompson of www.mondo-digital.com

Like I said previously, it is not a film for everyone but if you are looking to spice up you night in front of the HDTV just make sure you have some loose fitting pants if you like a little kink.