Thehibikiew Not even bad in a good way

PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Haven Kaycee It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Woodyanders Writer Jean (an excellent performance by Carl Parker) gets reunited with aloof, but alluring old flame Claire (well played with steely resolve by Marilyn Roberts) at a posh party. Claire introduces Jean to her enticing, yet passive sex slave Anne (a remarkably brave and startling portrayal by the gorgeous Mary Mendum), which inspires Jean to become a willing participant in Claire and Anne's sadomasochistic games.Writer/director Radley Metzger adroitly crafts a deliriously erotic and intoxicating atmosphere, makes nice use of various lovely Paris, France locations, and brings his usual sly wit and elegant style to the bold and absorbing premise. The three leads all do sterling work in their demanding roles. Fetching brunette Valerie Marron has a memorable small part as a salesgirl who happily engages in a steamy threesome with Jean and Anne. Robert Lefebvre's sumptuous cinematography presents a wealth of breathtaking visuals. Best of all, the character of Jean even embarks on an eye-opening journey of carnal self-discovery whereby he finds out that he has a natural penchant for the hard kinky stuff while the provocative story explores in shocking and unflinching detail the extremely fine line that separates pain and pleasure. A supremely exquisite, if overall unsettling 70's adult cinema gem.

Linda_S I have Synapse's June 2011 DVD release and what a job they've done. I only wish they could do the same for another Rebecca Brooke (Mary Mendum) film from the same year Max Pécas 'Felicia' (1975)Previous reviewers have touched on many aspects of this classic, I don't need to redo that, however I do need to emphasize that the acting by the very hot Marilyn Roberts (Claire) and slave Anne (Brooke aka Mendum) is phenomenal. Roberts can do more with her eyes than...well let's just say this woman can act. Brooke is a luscious slave girl who is absolutely believable, the male lead is nice looking and enjoys his work, the poor dear.This is BDSM, D&s, SM, etc and it is very well done, best I've seen, Metzger is as good as there is. Brooke is the "hottie" but Roberts has the heat.One of the best erotiques I own.

Falconeer I suppose it can be said of Radley Metzger's "The Image", that it is the film that "Story of O" should have been. It is quite impossible to not be reminded of that film while watching this one, as the subject matter is the same: the world of sadomasochistic sex relationships. Both are gorgeously filmed, and both play somewhat like sexually charged fairy-tales. Both films were based on classic French erotic books, helmed by women. However the approach here is somewhat different, as "The Image" goes much further than "O" dared to go. In this unforgettable film, a young model by the name of Anne is 'owned' by a somewhat older, ice queen of a woman named Claire. When Jean, a handsome stud meets up with this bizarre couple, so begins an intense sexual game, as Claire gives Jean a guided tour through the world of S&M. The young Anne becomes the object of an endless series of kinky tortures/pleasures. Whippings, bondage, bizarre humiliations concerning urination, and oral sex, all filmed in breathtaking detail by the legendary Radley Metzger. Here is a man with a fascination for sex, nudity, and beautiful women. Fortunately, this man is equally concerned with more important things as well, such as character development, coherent and interesting story lines, symbolism, even the 'psychology' of sexual behavior. Important, for without these things, films like 'Image' would be not much more than a meaningless collection of beautifully filmed erotic set pieces. On the surface, Anne is the slave here, and Claire and Jean are in total control. but by the time it all ends, the viewer has to wonder, just who in that 3 way relationship actually had the power. I must give fair warning here: 'The Image' can be a somewhat harrowing experience for the average viewer. Not only is the sex graphic, some of it actual "hardcore", but much of it is surprisingly brutal, and mean-spirited as well. By the end of the film, I found myself feeling somewhat uncomfortable, even depressed at witnessing Annes merciless degradation and suffering, even though it was all 'consensual'. As in 'Story of O', it is made fairly clear that the heroine of the story was free to leave, whenever things got to be too much. And the ending is what you could call a happy one, as each of the three characters discovers something within themselves, and is therefore 'set free' of their respective chains. For someone such as myself, who is not involved in the S&M lifestyle, it can be hard to see Anne's terror and pain as something enjoyable. Is she doing this because she enjoys hard sex, and being dominated, or is it because she is psychologically unhealthy, which would mean that these two 'masters' are preying upon a girl by exploiting her sickness? If it wasn't a good film, i believe these questions would not be asked. Therefore "The Image" succeeds, in my opinion, at being a bizarre, but remarkable work of art, unlike the inferior 'Story of O', which made me feel nothing, and taught me nothing about the S&M scene. Recommended, but be prepared to see things not seen in mainstream cinema!

YAS THE IMAGE is a disturbing, erotic, scary, elegant movie that probably only Radley Metzger could have made. Most directors of 'erotica' concentrate on gynecological close-ups to the exclusion of all else; Metzger's hallmark has always been to tell the story and explain the characters by relying as much on the actors' eyes as on the dialogue. The S&M scene is as alien to me as peanut-butter-and-pickle sandwiches (which I am also told some enjoy), but in THE IMAGE I can see the gamesmanship, the role-playing and the unspoken psychological leveraging that makes it all so compellingly complex. Would I show this film to Grandma? Uh-uh. But then, that's just MY grandma, who knows, yours may have a side you never suspected. This film is hot, fascinating, and, in this gorgeous and UNCUT (thank you, thank you!) video transfer, stunningly beautiful as well.