Bacchanale Review

Distributor: Cal Vista / VCX Edition Details: Standard DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Classic, Feature Film Run Time: 76 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1970 Director: John Amero, Lem Amero Written by: John Amero, Lem Amero Cast: Uta Erickson, Stanley Kamel (as Stanley Camel), Dick Sherman, Donny Lee (as Donie Lee and Donny Lee), Bernie Richards, Richard Jennings, Roberta Findlay (as Anna Riva), Mike Burns, Jack Benson, Warren Miles, Ron Babin (as Don Babin and Ron Babin), Pat Agers, Chuck Federico, Allen Bailey, Michael Findlay (as Bruce West and Robert West), Darcy, LaRue Watts (as LaRue), Darcy Brown, Lydia Burns, Patricia Kleb, Ronnie Scardera (as Roberta Scardera), D.B. Brown, Bruce Michael, Bernice Turner, Steve Gould, Neil Jenney (as Neil Jenny), Linda Boyce (as Helga Ripp), Robert Rhodes, Brown, Watts, Dick Bennett, Linda Joyce, Bobby Niles, Harry Reems, Jason Russell, Tina Russell Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Subtitles: none Video: Widescreen, 1.85:1 (anamorphic) Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1

Bacchanale was originally made by the Amero brothers to be a softcore film. However the changing marketplace at the time caused the Amero brothers to shoot hardcore inserts that were put into Bacchanale to make it into a hardcore film. The inserts were shot with Harry Reems, Jason Russell, and Tina Russell. They did a good job of blending the inserts with the original footage. An astute viewer looking for the differences will find them, especially Reems who is rather noticeable as the stunt cock for the actor who did the non-sex portions. However they did a far better job than other films did such as Saturday Night Special, where the inserts stick out like a sore thumb.

The film has Ruth (Uta Erickson), who's dream self leaves her body for a haunting nightmare about her late brother Gordon (Dick Bennett). In true dream fashion, the film winds and twists going from semi-real to very unreal situations in a seemly nonsensical tale. While at first Bacchanale seems not to tell a story due to the odd dream sequences, it actually manages to tell a story as it goes along.

To add to the feel of the film, most of it was shot in what appears to have originally been black and white and then, as with some films shot before color, the film stock appears to have been tinted in various colors depending on the scene. The scenes are presented with brown, blue, red, purple, yellow, and green tint. There are some scenes that were shot on standard color stock.

Bacchanale is far from what a viewer looking to get off would enjoy. The large portions of dream sequences between the hardcore inserts along with the dark subject matter presented within the film are unlikely to erotically stimulate a viewer. The Amero brothers did include a softcore homosexual scene toward the end of the film. It is odd that they didn't shoot hardcore inserts to go along with that scene though. Bacchanale is an odd choice for a title for the film as it isn't an orgy film nor does it seem to have anything to do with the myths of Dionysus that I am aware of.

Bacchanale is more of an experience than a standard viewing experience. If you are willing to give the film a chance, you will be well rewarded.

Cal Vista and VCX have done a decent job with the release of Bacchanale. Bacchanale is presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Sadly the transfer was done from a video master and not a film one but the video quality isn't horrible. There are glitches in the video. The transfer contains murky blacks, print damage, grain, and artifacts. A fixed tear is visible in the print at one point. Some of the footage appears to have aged poorly appearing as almost white instead of tinted. VCX has marred the transfer by putting a “© 2008 VCX” bug across the bottom of the screen halfway through the film for a short period.

Bacchanale is presented with an English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural audio track. There are pops and crackles in the audio along with hiss. The audio cuts out completely briefly 57 minutes into the film then cuts out again and stays out for about a minute. At 75 minutes into the film a voices says “please stay tuned,” and then cuts out.

There are a few extras on the disc but only one relates to the feature film. The original theatrical trailer is presented on the disc in anamorphic widescreen. There are also four bonus sex scenes from other films on the disc. All but one of the bonus scenes are blow job only scenes. From Eruption there is the John Holmes and Susan Hart blow job scene. From Sex the Hard Way there is the Peter North and Jennifer Noxt blow job scene. From Suzie Superstar there is the Shauna Grant and Ron Jeremy blow job scene. And for the final bonus scene is the full sex scene from Please Don't Stop with Amber Lynn and Jon Martin (while Joey Silvera watches).

Bacchanale is a dark film to come from the early 70s. As masturbation material it would be a waste to view this title. As a haunting film, this is one that should be checked out. VCX has done a decent job with the release of Bacchanale.

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