उपयोगकर्ता समीक्षाएं

Adapted from a famous erotic novel – with Sadean overtones – by Dominique Aury (writing as Pauline Reage), this came hot on the heels of director Jaeckin’s box-office smash EMMANUELLE (1974), and was itself followed by Shuji Terayama’s FRUITS OF PASSION (1981). I would also like to watch Jess Franco’s reworking of the same source material, THE SEXUAL STORY OF O (1981) – recently released on DVD through Severin.

Anyway, easily the best things about the film are the pleasing soft-focus photography and Pierre Bachelet’s haunting score. The stunning-looking Corinne Clery is ideally cast in the enigmatic title role – not so her male co-stars, stolid Udo Kier and a rather bemused Anthony Steel (Jaeckin originally wanted Christopher Lee who had actually played a similar role, briefly but effectively, in Franco’s superior EUGENIE...THE STORY OF HER JOURNEY INTO PERVERSION [1969]).

With too many characters involved but not enough explanation as to their particular motives, the film winds up being mostly uninvolving as a result: the female ‘victims’ are too easily willed into participating into the clandestine and degrading goings-on, as if they – and the viewing audience with them – are supposed to take all of this twaddle for granted (not to say seriously)! However, the finale – in which Clery is seen to have mastered her skills in playing the game and now matches her ‘superiors’ in every way – is a nice touch.

The Arrow R2 DVD I watched presents the film in an English-dubbed re-edited version prepared by Jaeckin himself (though the erotic content is said to be intact). Incidentally, I followed this with Radley Metzger’s similar but even more disturbing and explicit THE IMAGE (1976).

Based on a novel by Dominique Aury, Story of O is an arty version of the classic story of S&M. Despite the sadomasochistic tone, the film is actually rather soft; but while it may not delight fans of the more hardcore pornography, the way that director Just Jaeckin tried to elevate the story above what it is and make a 'classic' film, as well as the fact that parts of it actually are erotic means that this is at least a fairly successful piece of softcore porn. The film focuses on a woman simply named 'O' (which is somewhat ironic because it sounds like a James Bond codename and the lead is played by Moonraker Bond girl Corinne Clery). She goes out with a man named Rene, who decides to take her to a retreat where she is trained in sexual perversion. It's clear that the director obviously valued his subject material and although the film fails as a classy drama; the way that it's filmed does give some extra interest. The acting is actually fairly decent, with Corinne Clery standing out alongside Anthony Steel and Udo Kier. There's a fair amount of sexual perversion involved although the film does not go into great detail with most of it; but we do get plenty of whipping and lesbianism at least. I have to say that I preferred Gerard Damiano's 'The Story of Joanna', which was also based on the classic French novel; but this is decent enough stuff and worthwhile for one viewing.

Well, where do I start...

Dialogues were emptily delivered and didn't carry any or almost any weight (you can straight up forget about basic human emotions and/or facial expressions). Throughout the whole movie, and yes, I was able to somehow sit through the whole thing, I had a feeling, that none of the actors were actually familiar with the script. So no points in that department. Interesting, what the casting process was like... Speaking of which, the actress for the main character, being 25 at the time, seemed to be a virgin playing in a movie with more sex scenes than cable TV after dark. Needless to say she looked to be a little out of her element. But considering, it was almost her first role on the big screen, we'll give her a pass. Specially keeping in mind, that it most certainly wasn't the easiest role to play (since she had to act while being naked and tied up in front of people with strange mustaches holding microphones and cameras who are trying to make sure nobody realizes their "excitement"). That being said, according to this picture female orgasm means shaking your head and occasionally making strange noises.

Ooh! Spoiler alert... THE MOVIE BLOWS!!!

3 rubber gags out of 10

"Story of O" is luxuriant, nicely photographed, and Corinne Clery is quite appealing as a sensual actress…

The film is an adaptation of Pauline Reage's novel about a young girl called O and her entry into the art of loving… The special philosophy here is that women, by nature, are inferior to men and should therefore submit to their every emotion and desire. This is the only way for a woman to find ecstasy…

O falls in love with a practitioner of this doctrine, and is forced to go through quite a lot before he will take her in…

The treatment of eroticism is slow and careful… O is initiated into a house of bondage where the women are playthings for the male clientele… No talking or complaining is permitted... If the rules are broken, they are "punished" in the collar with whips and chains...

One can call this film a lot of things, but "subtle" isn't one of them… Still, it's not overly offensive either, despite its extremely one-sided view of femininity... It does have a seductive quality, and we are attracted into its exotic fact or assumption largely because of Corinne Clery's beauty and sensuality

HISTOIRE D'O is famous and yet few will say they've seen it or admit they've seen it. Just look at the few reviews posted here at IMDb. The main reason is simply because the whole thing is risible! It's beautifully shot but still risible. It's almost like an old Benny Hill sketch : O loves Rene but Rene loves Jacqueline who loves Sir Stephen who loves O who loves Jacqueline who loves the fire hydrant. On and on it goes. I truly wondered what planet they were living on since very little of it made sense. Do they ever buy groceries? Wait in line at the bank? You know, things normal mortals do. The story wants us to believe it's all about love but love has nothing to do with the people inhabiting this baroque soft-core reverie. Love? Hahaha!

Like all "erotic" films of the period, all women are bisexual, or anythingsexual, ready to take off their flimsily clothes for the audiences' viewing pleasure. This brings up the main point of the "film" : the focus is only on the women which makes me wonder why they'd bothered with the male characters, who were very boring. Obviously the director, producers, and writer didn't care for them. They are merrily there to serve a purpose. The film would have been much more honest if the entire cast had been female, which during one segment it was. This is probably the best part of the film, not because it's all female but because the lecherous filmmakers could finally show every detail of the females' bodies along with their "tortured" minds.

The only saving grace of this superficial "charnel" nonsense was Corinne Clery. Remove her from the film and there would be nothing left to watch. Corinne was practically naked throughout the film. Her body was perfect back then.

In the end, the entire "complex" story, bogged down by its own pretensions and limitations, was bereft of the one thing they wanted to achieve : true eroticism.

As a teen I thought "Story of O" was a brilliant and strange masterpiece of erotic cinema. Today I can see it as a very pretty, although flawed work. Corinne Clery is good in the role of 'O', the delicately pretty young fashion photographer who initially wants nothing more than to be a slave to her lover, Rene. The film's opening scenes are impressive, to say the least. O's abduction in the Rolls Royce and her trip to Roissy, is a soft-focus wet dream, accompanied by lush, romantic music and beautiful surroundings. Roissy is a mens club, filled with beautiful, submissive women who only exist to please the members of this exclusive, other-worldly place. Roissy is a bit like a convent, very Gothic, where the women whisper and are dressed in garments that keep their sex on constant display. The sets are glorious; O's bed is covered with animal furs, and everywhere crystal chandeliers glitter in soft focus enchantment. While at Roissy O learns how to be an obedient slave, but she possesses a proud quality, bordering on arrogance, that she cannot always disguise. This quality is detected by some of the men, who develop strong feelings for her. The way Clery plays the part, as a submissive who is also aware of her power is very well done. O becomes steadily stronger as the film progresses, and after a time, her 'masters' begin to doubt their own power, as they realize that their desire for 'O' gives her the upper hand. It is at times fascinating to watch the tables turn, and to see the subtle changes in the story's heroine, as she begins to recognize her own power, and becomes more self-confidant because of it. Those who don't pay attention, and only look at the images of women in chains, being whipped, might mistake 'Story of O' for being sexist, when in fact, this is more of a feminist film in many ways. It has to be remembered that although the book was written by a woman, the film was directed by a man. Just Jaeckin was first and foremost a fashion photographer, who had quite an obsession for the beautiful female form. He is responsible for some of the most well-known erotic films to emerge from the 70's to early 80's, bringing famous erotic novels to the screen. Jaeckin has an eye for aesthetic beauty, and it is evident in "Story of O'. But at times it seems that he is more interested in soft focus female nudity than in the deeper meaning behind these classics. "Story of O' is certainly a cult classic, despite it being a flawed picture. For the most part it has dated better than "Emmanuelle", although a couple scenes are now unintentionally funny, such as a photo shoot featuring a model dressed in a Mickey Mouse top and swinging a light bulb to tacky 70's music. But that is just a 1 minute scene in a film that for the most part looks wonderful. Pierre Bachelet's lush score is gorgeous, romantic and haunting. There is now a wonderful DVD from France, which features two different versions of the film. The first is the English dubbed version, which i basically grew up watching. The dubbing is acceptable, and this version is around 10 minutes shorter. The longer, French language version with English subtitles is also contained here. Initially I was looking forward to seeing this more 'complete' version, but in the end was disappointed, as the new scenes were mostly of 'O' pouting and being coy with Rene, and even being whiny and immature. I understand why these scenes were cut, as they take away greatly from 'O's mystique. Showing less of her human side made her seem stronger, kind of 'otherworldy', not so much like a real woman, but rather like an unattainable heroine. Therefore I prefer the slightly cut version, even though it features the inferior English track. But the DVD is terrific, and offers the opportunity to see both versions and decide for yourself. As a side note, I must mention the character 'Nora', Sir Stephans maid; Wonderful casting; she is the most frightening character of all, somehow, and watching her relationship with 'O' develop from hatred and distrust, to this strange bond that the two women begin to share, which is expressed solely through eye contact, with few words spoken. These little details are so important. Fans of the book might miss the character Natalie, the young girl that is introduced late in the story. Perhaps including such a young girl in a film of this kind was a bit too much for censors in those days. Although not as strong as Radley Metzger's "The Image", I do recommend "Story of O". In all it's strangeness and otherworldly quality, it can be seen as a fairytale for adults. Like Alice In Wonderland, only the white rabbit is carrying a whip instead of a gold watch. It might be flawed somewhat, but it certainly is considered a cult classic, as well as a milestone of erotic cinema!

I've read about this movie lots of times and finally got around to seeing it on DVD today. I basically expected something totally disappointing, weakly made and very dated. Poor acting. But which had gotten popular because there was a dearth of something along these kinky forbidden lines. I was wrong on most of these counts. Unfortunately not all. It is well-filmed, so if it could have been well-filmed, why could there not have been a better script? The one male lead (Rene) is weak, a pretty boy with a thing for his older stepbrother, sounds very suspicious of do-I- have-to-spell-it-out? Movie is in dismal need of character motivation that would give the viewer a feeling of involvement with the on- screen debauchery. It falls into the porn trap, a parade of flesh but with no heart. Ah, A PARADE OF FLESH WITH NO HEART. I nailed it! All movies should have their audiences rooting for the protagonists immediately. This one doesn't inspire that. We just stand on the outside looking in.

YEARS LATER, 8 Oct 2024. I'm watching on a download. Wanna throw in my twopence worth, discovers I've already done so. Adding: The best bit here is that the bodies of yesteryear weren't sullied by surgical "enhancements" or tattoos and piercings. I've only started watching, but so far I like Corinne very much; the script is poor. But what I really wanna say is that in real life a character like Rene is a pimp and a character like Pierre is just a bully who takes pleasure out of hurting women a la Fifty Shades of Grey (loathe that guy as well). There seems to be a need for bullies to express themselves as heroes too. Gmph. I write BDSM stories myself, about what would be considered domination, but my hero doesn't whip or beat or whatever... the bad guys do that. Rene and Pierre are the types I would take pleasure in eventually giving them a well-deserved "throwing them to the tiger" if you catch my drift...

Women should beware any abusers.

One of the most boring and nonsense movies that I have ever seen. The female characters are treated like their only values are to serve the males. I was about to leave the theater in the middle of the film, I awaited until the end in case there was a turning point in the plot: there was not. I have seen porno movies much more interesting than this "erotic" film.

'The Story Of O' was one of the best known and most successful soft-core movies of the 1970s. While it reeks of kitsch appeal all these years later, it is actually a pretty good movie overall, and it still has some genuinely erotic moments. Corinne Clery ('Moonraker') plays the title character simply referred to as 'O'. She is absolutely beautiful and has a great body (which we see frequently as she spends much of the movie naked), so even if bondage isn't your thing there's much to hold any straight man's attention throughout! O is introduced by her boyfriend Rene (the legendary Udo Kier) into the world of b and d, s and m, and suchlike. Initially reluctant to participate in these sex games she begins to blossom. Rene "gives" her to the sophisticated Sir Stephen (Anthony Steel, a major British star of the 1940s and 1950s), and O eventually finds herself falling in love with the older man. This is a generally well acted movie with lots of visual style and a haunting score by Pierre Bachelet. 'The Story Of O' has aged much better than one might assume and is worth a look, even if it is just to drool at Ms. Clery and marvel at how young and fresh faced Udo Kier looks in it!

Histoire d'O (1975)

* out ****

Directed by Just Jaeckin

With Corinne Clery and Udo Kier

Jaeckin don't give us any pleasure with this pretentious film about Clery as a woman that do anything for his lover Kier, who ask only for sexual humiliation as prove of her love. Non erotic and kind of repetitive based on the best selling novel of Dominique Aury; its a pity with that decent soundtrack and that beautiful photography. Empty and boring; skip this one.

"The Story Of O" (as a film) is the work of a man whose sexual values belong in the Middle Ages, and whose way of thinking is completely detached from normal human behavior. Jaeckin must have been thinking that he was creating an important work of art (solemn voice-over narration, arty shots through mirrors, etc.), and not the sick and misogynistic fantasy that his film actually is. Most of the performances are bad, but Corinne Clery does deserves some credit for her courage to take on such a role. In the purely "erotic" department, the movie gets kind of hot only in two lesbian scenes, but those are very brief. Nudity is plentiful, but the material that surrounds it is often insufferable. (*1/2)

The old France gave us a lot of good things, even in that field, Moulin Rouge, the french burlesque, the first lingerie and so on, but this movie just made to sick minds and uneven sexually only, to find a better pleasure whippings a woman is something bad and no make sense at all, some scenes are really sexy, but mostly are amoral oriented, Corinne Cléry is enough gorgeous to make happy everybody without use those stupid things, however not those sick men in their sick roles, maybe l was outdated or didn't understood this self called art movie, clearly it is high recommended for sadistic guys only!!

Resume:

First watch: 2017 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 5

I'm not kidding, whenever there's two people on-screen in this, there's a pretty solid chance they'll strip and/or do it. Oh, I'm not really complaining, albeit it does get to be excessive. This and its 1984 sequel were on sale in a box-set(which, for some reason, promised me that it would contain "the full television series", yes, in those words), and this appears to be something of a cult-favorite. The DVD came with the French Uncut(and that is the language most commonly spoken in this, the other two dip in and out occasionally) and the English version. This is a review of the first-mentioned; I can't comment on what is censored in the other one. The running time, sans the short ending credits, is 100 minutes. This is about S&M, and thus about power struggles and love. The exploration of those isn't half bad, and this isn't as pretentious as one might fear. A woman identified only by the initial O is taken to a castle by her boyfriend for her "training". Yes, this can be misogynistic; maybe the bondage and whippings were the full extent of crossing of boundaries that they were willing to go. Perhaps it was a choice. I don't know. The production values are average, and this is largely kitsch. With that said, it holds several cool images, and there is good erotica to be found in the pile. The acting is reasonable; Udo Kier is enjoyable to watch as always, I think this is the first time I heard him speak a foreign tongue. As far as the plot goes, this is fine, and certainly has both beginning and conclusion. The pace is awkward at times, and it can certainly drag at points. There is just about constant female nudity, including full frontal, and a ton of sexual content in this. I recommend this to anyone interested, be it for the allure or curiosity about the controversy this caused. 6/10

Released in 1975 with a NC-17 rating, this film would never be made today. It is basically an "un-costume" drama and would get no worse then a R rating, if even that today. It was made when one needed an entire professional crew to make such a film, staged in plush surroundings, elaborate wardrobes and a plot that really is unimportant. But another aspect as to why it would never be made today is due to the story. O, the initial of the main character, decides to totally surrender herself to another man, obey any order without question, and allow other men to share her. And while there is plenty of female nudity, rare and modest male nudity. This certainly would not be an acceptable theme for current times, and considering the expense to duplicate the film, would never get funding. And in today's standards, too long and on the dull side. The film focused on eroticism rather than sex.

The "Story of O" was written as a fantasy by a French woman for her lover back in the early 1950s. The book was first published in the U.S.A. in the 1960s. As movie censorship relaxed during the early 1970s, this movie based on the book was made. For those who haven't read the book, the movie will be incredibly boring. For those who are fans of the book, the movie is appealing visually, but probably doesn't follow the book as closely as they would have wished.

It is a fantasy so maybe some of the outrageous stuff (whipping, branding, etc.) can be tolerated. No one ever said that people actually want to act out all their sexual fantasies.

From a historical perspective, it's interesting that so many of the things that have become more common in recent years (female bisexuality, pubic hair removal, anal sex, body piercings, etc.), were expressly discussed in the book and hinted at in the movie. It helps to prove the saying, "There's nothing new under the sun."

Just Jaeckin's film version of the celebrated novel by Pauline Reage manages to completely miss the point of her work (by changing the ending, specifically), but taken purely as a movie has a certain amount of interest.

Corrine Clery plays 'O', a photographer who is taken by her boyfriend Rene (Udo Kier) to a sado-masochistic den where she willingly submits to physical and sexual abuse. 'O's motivation was much more obvious within the novel, but here it is secondary to the titallating spectacle of soft porn. Clery is not really the ideal 'O', either, her looks being too idealistic and her acting just too bad.

After a spell in the academy which serves to turn her into a total submissive she is practically sold on to Sir Stephen (50s pin-up Anthony Steel, of all people!) who is even more depraved and dominating than anyone else she has met. Perhaps the strongest sections of the film concern 'O's relationship with Sir S, but I wasn't convinced by the changed ending (powerful though it was from a movie standpoint). The cinematography is also attractive, particularly in its use of colour, and the French language version adds a certain mystique to the story.

Following his spectacular commercial as well as begrudging critical success with the landmark EMMANUELLE, photographer turned filmmaker Just Jaeckin tried his hand at another erotic literature adaptation. Published in 1954, "Histoire d'O" caused an immediate scandal – which drove the curious to the book stores – with its single-minded first person account of a young woman's voluntary debasement to please her insecure lover, evolving into a more equally based power relationship with the sophisticated elderly mentor to whom she is passed on. Its author "Pauline Réage" was clearly pseudonymous and who was really responsible proved a fertile source for speculation, a particularly persistent possibility being idiosyncratic director Alain Robbe-Grillet who would dabble (with wife Catherine, under the joint "nom de plume" Jean de Berg) in the S&M field with "L'Image", ironically also filmed that year in a beautiful borderline hardcore version by Radley Metzger. Finally, the culprit came clean herself – for, yes, it indeed was a woman – in 1992, revealing herself to be respected writer and translator Dominique Aury (whose real name was Anne Desclos), who had penned the novel as an angst-ridden love letter to her considerably older paramour Jean Paulhan, an esteemed member of the Academie Française, whose sophistication both overwhelmed and terrified her. Retaining much of the book's matter of fact prose through effective voice over, supplying the voice "O" willingly surrenders, HISTOIRE D'O proves Jaeckin's high watermark as an erotic entrepreneur.

Never given a proper character name beyond the single letter she adopts with implications of both nothingness and infinity, "O" (engagingly portrayed by exquisite Corinne Cléry, memorably ripped apart by Dobermanns in minor Bond MOONRAKER) humors lover René (cult favorite Udo Kier) by accepting an extended stay at the Château of Roissy, a secluded environment designed for the education of women – by their own volition, stressed at every turn – into a life of submission as the ultimate expression of love. Dressed in flowing robes that allow easy entry to whoever feels so inclined, "O" becomes part of a silent sisterhood whose utter servitude instills them with innate strength, available to all men yet belonging to none. Her personal manservant Pierre (longtime character actor Jean Gaven, impressive as one of the assumed villains in Jean Becker's masterpiece L'ETE MEURTRIER, coincidentally another film relying on extensive narration to get its point across) doles out daily punishment but relinquishes his power when he falls in love with his charge.

Her training complete, "O" returns to her real world occupation as fashion photographer, grooming stuck up model Jacqueline (gorgeous Li Sellgren, also in Jaeckin's MADAME CLAUDE) for René's benefit and a subsequent stay at Roissy. It soon becomes clear that "O" has already outgrown her only outwardly unconventional lover, summoned by his "tutor" Sir Stephen (former British matinée idol Anthony Steel, no stranger to "naughty" credits as he appeared in both of James Kenelm Clarke's Fiona Richmond vehicles HARDCORE and LET'S GET LAID) who has become intrigued by this strangely subservient girl wielding power over his pupil. Equipped with fearsome black housekeeper Norah (imposing Laure Moutoussamy, star of occasional gay pornographer Norbert Terry's COUCHE-MOI DANS LE SABLE ET FAIS JAILLIR TON PETROLE !), sophisticated Sir Stephen will push her boundaries even further, with the physical souvenirs (pierced labia and branded initials, again by her own choice) to prove it. To this end, he sends her to live with the deceptively kind Anne-Marie (a tremendous performance by Christiane Minazzoli, by then a mainstay in French films for over two decades) in a comforting girls only environment that would seem like a walk in the park after Roissy. Without men for distraction however, the women will dig their claws into each other for top spot in their mistress' favor. Watch for several skin flick starlets during this extended episode, like Albane Navizet (star of Jean-François Davy's LE DESIR a/k/a INFIDELITES), Nadine Perles (from Eddy Matalon's LA CHATTE SANS PUDEUR) and especially Martine Kelly as tomboy Thérèse. Not a soft porn siren per se, Kelly had totally charmed audiences in her debut as the Scottish lass coveted by Olivier De Funès in Jean Girault's affable LES GRANDES VACANCES. Over time, she would amass a consistently engaging body of work in movies as diverse as Samy Pavel's distinctly odd and now virtually impossible to see MISS O'GYNIE ET LES HOMMES FLEURS and the period melodrama LES MAL PARTIS by…Sébastien Japrisot, who adapted novel to screenplay for "O". Coincidence ?

It's amazing what a little – okay, a lot of – surface gloss could do to sneak contentious material past the censors circa 1975. One has to bear in mind that this played regular theaters rather than the "specialized circuit" and, literary pedigree notwithstanding, this is one diabolically dirty movie, even with most graphic components eloquently left to imagination. Revered DoP Robert Fraisse, who continues to work on both sides of the Atlantic to this very day (doing exemplary work on the Nick Cassavetes' ingratiating period piece THE NOTEBOOK for example), imbues the luxurious interiors with ominous grandeur in line with the dispassionate ritual approach Sir Stephen and his acolytes take to justify their apparently debauched goal, the dank coldness of Roissy contrasting effectively with the warm hues of the Anne-Marie segment. As with EMMANUELLE, late pop chart topper Pierre Bachelet contributes a richly varied score which proved a bestseller on vinyl, an obligatory auditory accoutrement in middle class households back in the day. Only slightly less successful than its predecessor, yet a far more ambitious and accomplished work, HISTOIRE D'O also proved something of a private obsession for producer Eric Rochat, who would return to the material time and again with a peculiar sequel (pretentiously subtitled CHAPITRE II, which he helmed himself) with Dutch actress Sandra Wey who was no Sylvia Kristel and a ten episode miniseries starring Brazilian bombshell Claudia Cepeda. Neither of these in any way tarnishes the ebullient effect the extremely erotic original still exudes over three decades down the line.

I admit I know little about the S+M/B+D lifestyle, but if this is any indication, it must be kind of like being in a bad European "art" film. This is one movie that truly does not deserve its notorious reputation(either in the negative or positive sense). It's just your typical silly and pretentious 70's Eurotrash. It is slightly less boring than the director's previous "Emmannuelle" (1974) but only slightly. The lead (and only conceivable reason to watch this nonsense) is Corrine Clery,who was later a second-string Bond girl eaten by vicious dobermans in "Moonraker". Clery spends most of the movie naked and being whipped by various men and women. This certainly sounds pretty sordid, but the movie (tastefully?) never shows the whip actually hitting her. And though she is almost constantly being flogged, there never seems to be a mark on her on her perpetually on-display body. She is also passed around by various men, but the sex scenes are even more circumspect than the whipping scenes. I'd enjoy watching Clery doing anything naked(mowing the lawn, painting a fence, digging a garden), but there's just nothing especially exciting here. Mostly, the movie consists of cheesy dialogue and idiotic libertine philosophizing. I don't know if you have to be a sadist to enjoy it, but you definitely have to be a masochist to sit through it.