Pretty Peaches (Blu-ray) (Vinegar Syndrome) Review

Distributor: Vinegar Syndrome Edition Details: Limited Edition Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack Movie Specs: Genres: Golden Age Classic, Feature Film Run Time: 93 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1978 Director: Alex de Renzy Written by: uncredited Director of Photography: uncredited Cast: Desiree Cousteau, Joey Silvera, Ken Scudder, John Leslie, Flower, Juliet Anderson, Paul Thomas, Nancy Hoffman, Sharon Kane, Lisa Sue Corey, Liza Dwyer, Phaedra Grant, Blair Harris, Ming Jade, Kathy Kaufman, Turk Lyon, Holly McCall, Mimi Morgan, Eileen Welles Release Specs: Audio: English DTS-HD MA 1.0 Mono, English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Subtitles: none Video: Widescreen, 1.78:1 Video Format: NTSC Format: Blu-ray/DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1 Blu-ray, 1 DVD

Pretty Peaches is a version, of sorts, of Voltaire's Candide. The plot isn't at all similar to that of Candide, but keeps the same theme where a naïve heroine, instead of a hero as in Candide, goes on a journey, fraught with tragedy, beyond her control. Peaches (Desiree Cousteau) goes to her father Hugh's (John Leslie) wedding in Virginia City, Nevada. Feeling ignored by Hugh and his new bride Lily (Flower), Peaches takes off, inebriated, and ends up crashing her Jeep. She is found by Jesse (Ken Scudder) and Kid (Joey Silvera). After Kid rapes her, she regains consciousness and has amnesia. Jesse and Kid take her to San Francisco where Peaches ends up on a journey beyond her control while trying to remember who she is.

Pretty Peaches could be a very ugly and disturbing film, especially where it depicts rapes, an enema, and incest, but like Candide, all the vile acts are done in a dark comedic fashion which reduces the impact of them. The story is well done and while one could argue that some of the sex scenes within the film are arbitrary, they all fit into the story and the viewer is not left feeling like the scenes were just stuck in to add to the sexual content of the film. All in all, the story creates a film designed to be in the adult film medium, that works as a complete package.

The film is beautifully shot with a more cinematic feel that one usually gets from an adult film. The film is shot like a mainstream film, utilizing indoor and outdoor locations. The film doesn't appear to have been shot without preparation either, especially considering that Alex deRenzy obviously utilized at least one stuntman in the creation of the film. That isn't to say that the film isn't without mistakes. A few shots were not quite in focus, the stuntman is obvious in one scene, and a boom microphone enters the frame at one point. But all together, the film looks nice and feels like a real film with thought behind it instead of a quickly shot sex film.

Pretty Peaches is a film that is unlikely to have been made today. It introduces some frowned upon themes and will likely turn off some viewers completely due to the content. However, for viewers that are okay with darker content, this is a film that should be seen.

Vinegar Syndrome has done an amazing job with this limited edition Blu-ray and DVD combo pack. The film is presented on the Blu-ray in 1080p in the widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The picture here is stunning. There are a few instances of print damage present, some grain in darker scenes, and a few artifacts present. All these instances are very brief and I can say without doubt that this is the best that Pretty Peaches will ever look. The DVD presents the film in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio as well and is the same print as used on the Blu-ray.

The Blu-ray has an English DTS-HD MA 1.0 monaural track. There are a few instances of distortion but these are slight again in duration and don't detract from the presentation. The DVD has an English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural track, which is the same track that is used on the Blu-ray.

The Blu-ray doesn't contain any extras. The DVD contains two extras. The “Alex deRenzy interview” are selected portions of the only known video interview of Alex deRenzy, which was shot shortly before his death, which focus on his early career. The master used has a low quality picture and the audio is only present on the left audio track. I am assuming given previous Vinegar Syndrome releases that I have seen that this is the best available element. The selected portions of the interview last for nineteen-and-a-half minutes. It is unfortunate that Vinegar Syndrome did not provide the entire interview. The other extra is the “Dr. Ted McIlvenna interview.” McIlvenna formed The National Sex & Drug Forum, which appears to have become the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality and talks about his experiences with deRenzy along with his work. The interview runs for eleven minutes. Vinegar Syndrome has also released a DVD only version, which isn't limited in number, but any fan of the film should pick up the limited Blu-ray release. The picture is absolutely beautiful and it is well worth the purchase price.

Pretty Peaches is a dark comedy that is done within the adult medium. The story is interesting and the film was well made. The limited edition Blu-ray/DVD combo pack that Vinegar Syndrome has released is absolutely amazing and should be a must buy for any fans of the film.

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