Venus in Furs (1969 Dallamano film)

1969 Italian film

1969 (1969)

CountryItaly

Venus in Furs (Italian: Venere in pelliccia) (also known as Devil in the Flesh) is a 1969 Italian erotic drama film directed by Massimo Dallamano. Based on the novel Venus in Furs by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, the film was first released in 1969 in Germany under the title Venus im Pelz.^[1] In Italy, the film did not pass the censorship examination because of the sex scenes deemed too rough and all attempts to overcome the censorship's remarks, with various cut versions, were unsuccessful.^[1]

The film was eventually released in 1973 under the title Venere nuda, but even this cut version was confiscated after a few days for contempt of decency.^[1]^[2] In 1975, the film was finally released in Italian cinemas under the title Le malizie di Venere, in a heavily censored version which was altered by a new editing and by the introduction of new scenes filmed by Paolo Heusch, which turned the film plot into a giallo.^[1] The new title was a specific reference to lead actress Laura Antonelli's box-office success in Malizia (1973).^[1]

Synopsis

Based on the infamous novel by Leopold Sacher-Masoch, the film follows the perverted passions of a young couple as Severin watches the beautiful Wanda writhing naked amongst furs. Being a peeping tom triggers a whirlpool of emotions due to a childhood episode which punishes voyeurism with pain.

Cast

Laura Antonelli: Wanda de Dunaieff
Régis Vallée: Severin
Loren Ewing: Bruno
Renate Kasché: Gracia
Werner Pochath: Manfred
Mady Rahl: Helga
Giacomo Furia: Lawyer

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Marco Giusti (1999). Dizionario dei film italiani stracult. Sperling & Kupfer. ISBN 8820029197.
^ Stefano Piselli, Riccardo Morocchi. Sexy heroine - erotic heroines in movies. Glittering images, 2003.