Camille 2000 (Extended Version) Review

Distributor: Cult Epics Edition Details: Extended Version Streaming Movie Specs: Genres: Classic, Feature Film, Softcore, Drama Run Time: 130 minutes Rated: not Release Year: 1969 Director: Radley Metzger (as R.H. Metzger and Radley Metzger) Written by: Michael DeForrest (screenplay), Alexandre Dumas, fils (novel) Cast: Danièle Gaubert (as Daniele Gaubert), Nino Castelnuovo, Eleonora Rossi Drago (as Elonora Rossi-Drago), Roberto Bisacco, Massimo Serato, Silvana Venturelli, Zachery Adams, Dominique Badou, Peter Chatel, Virginia Rodin (as Virginie Rodin), Enzo Fiermonto, Graziella Galvani, Philippe Forquet, Linda Morand Release Specs: Audio: English Mono Subtitles: none Video: Widescreen, 2.35:1 (anamorphic) Video Format: NTSC Format: Streaming Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): N/A Number of discs: N/A

1967's I am Curious films changed the face of erotic cinema. Films had started as the nudie cuties, where ample nudity was on display, and were now pushing more and more boundaries and in 1969 erotic cinema was on the cusp of going full hardcore. Radley Metzger's career spanned both sides of the softcore to the hardcore period of erotic cinema. Oddly, Camille 2000 seems regressive in terms of the sexuality shown on the screen.

Camille 2000 is based on Alexandre Dumas', fils, 1848 novel La Dame aux Camélias, which in 1852 he made into a stage play. Over the years many plays, films, and even an opera have been based on La Dame aux Camélias, which is known as Camille in English speaking nations. Radley Metzger and writer Michael DeForrest's take on Alexandre Dumas', fils, classic novel was set in the future when it was released yet is now the very dated past in the present.

Radley Metzger and Michael DeForrest have kept the story in Camille 2000 close to Alexandre Dumas', fils, original novel. Armand Duval (Nino Castelnuovo), who hails from New York, is summering in Rome for the first time. His friend Gaston (Roberto Bisacco) wants to hook Armand up for the summer. Marguerite Gautier (Danièle Gaubert) catches Armand's eye. Gaston tries to keep Armand away from Marguerite as not only is Marguerite promiscuous, she is also married to the Duke. Armand won't listen to Gaston and pursues Marguerite regardless.

The story for Camille 2000 is fantastic. The characters are well-rounded, and Armand and Marguerite's firecracker romance captures the viewer's attention. The end of the film does slow down a little; however, the viewer is intrigued enough at this point that no one will be tuning out around the end.

The only real fault that this reviewer can find with the film is more in the visuals of the story than the story itself. Despite being set in the future, Camille 2000 likely looked dated a mere five years after it was made.

The sex scenes in the film are a curiosity. Radley Metzger was known as a softcore sex filmmaker when he made Camille 2000, well, actually he was known for making sex films at the time as hardcore films weren't part of the theatrical marketplace yet. The sex scenes are minimal in content and, surprisingly, conservative. This reviewer wasn't alive when Camille 2000 was released; however, he suspects that it would have been fine for a standard theatrical release back then and it certainly would be today.

Camille 2000 is shot in Radley Metzger's grand style by Ennio Guarnieri, who, sadly, passed away earlier this year. Camille 2000 is shot in the most beautiful city on Earth, Rome, Italy — along with other Italian locales. If there is any city that benefits from Radley Metzger's grand shooting style, it is Rome. Radley Metzger's grand style and Rome's magnificent scape complement each other perfectly. As is typical with Radley Metzger's films, his locations ooze of wealth and opulence. Radley Metzger's films are always visual treats.

Radley Metzger's Camille 2000 is a grand and opulent film that tells the story of a whirlwind firecracker romance that, despite looking very dated, stand up as well today as it did when it was made. The film is heavily lacking in the softcore sex but makes up for it with the story. Camille 2000 shouldn't be missed.

The edition of Camille 2000 screened is the streaming-only edition available on PinkLabel.TV.

Cult Epics has done an excellent job with their streaming-only edition of the extended version of Camille 2000. Camille 2000 was shot on 35mm film, and it looks like Cult Epics used a high definition scan of the camera negative for this release. Camille 2000 is presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The picture quality is beautiful. There are instances of artifacts and print damage; however, on the whole, the film is gorgeous. The colors in the film are vibrant.

Camille 2000 is presented with an English monaural audio track. The sound quality is good. The only noticeable issue is that there is a distinct hiss present through most of the film. This is the only noted issue with the sound quality, and the dialog is clear and easy to understand at all times.

Cult Epics didn't include any extras with their streaming-only edition of Camille 2000.

Camille 2000 is an accomplished softcore romantic drama from Radley Metzger. Viewers who are expecting a softcore skin fest will find Camille 2000 to be a massive disappointment because there is far less skin than one would expect from a softcore erotica film by Radley Metzger. However, Camille 2000 is well-worth watching as a romantic drama. Cult Epics has done an excellent job with their streaming-only edition of the extended version of Camille 2000 on PinkLabel.TV with excellent picture and good sound quality.

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