Shades of Ecstasy Review

Distributor: Hollywood Video Edition Details: New Editing Version DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Golden Age Classic, Feature Film, Comedy Run Time: 77 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1983 Director: Hal Freeman Written by: Mark Weiss Cast: Janey Robbins, Desiree Lane, Misty Dawn, Karen Summer (as Michel Lee), Cara Lott, Mona Page, Melanie Scott, Alan Royce (as Allen Royce), Ron Jeremy, Tom Byron, Marc Wallice, David Sanders (as Steve Sanders), Peter Rock, Ray Wells (as Ray Davis), Barnett Phillips, Mark Harris, Ken Starbuck (as Starbuck) Release Specs: Audio: English Linear PCM 2.0 Mono Subtitles: none Video: Full Frame, 1.33:1 Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1

Shades of Ecstasy is a fun adult film from the waning epoch of the golden age of adult films. As production values were starting to plummet while the adult industry moved from film to videotape, the production values of Shades of Ecstasy stand out. The locations the film is set in are good and that actually manages to make the film. Had this come out a few years later, chances are Shades of Ecstasy would never have been this good.

As with many of its counterparts at the time, the plot for Shades of Ecstasy is rather thin. In fact, for a good portion of Shades of Ecstasy, the viewer is rather sure there is no real plot — just a setting. However, once the plot kicks in, the viewer will note that everything preceding helped lead up to what ends up occurring later. The result is a cute and fun little adult film that never takes itself too seriously and ends up being enjoyable fluff.

In Shades of Ecstasy, Julie Talovar (Janey Robbins) applies for, and gets, a job at Neal Brogan's (Ron Jeremy) drapery factory. There Julie becomes entwined in all the sexual shenanigans that are occurring all over the factory.

The sex scenes in Shades of Ecstasy are well done and plentiful. None of the sex scenes run too long, in fact, some aren't even complete scenes and start in progress, however, that fits with the plot and honestly doesn't come across as disruptive. The sex scenes aren't so long that they take away from the story nor are they short enough to be worthless. The cast looks good and performs enthusiastically during the sex scenes. They do well in their non-sex footage as well. Most notably Cara Lott, who has the most amusing role in the film.

Overall, Shades of Ecstasy will never be confused for Shakespeare, however, it is enjoyable light-hearted adult film fluff material that entertains the viewer and features good production values and some nice sex scenes. Shades of Ecstasy is worth checking out for fans of the genre.

Hollywood Video has done a decent job with their release of Shades of Ecstasy. Shades of Ecstasy is presented in the academy aspect ratio of 1.33:1 in 480i. Shades of Ecstasy was shot on film and appears to have been mastered from a master videotape for this release. The version of Shades of Ecstasy contained on this release is called the new editing version by Hollywood Video. The original version of Shades of Ecstasy isn't on this release. The image contains artifacts, print damage, and grain. The colors in the image look nice. Overall, the video presentation for Shades of Ecstasy looks nice.

Shades of Ecstasy is presented with an English Linear PCM 2.0 monaural audio track. The audio contains a low hiss throughout the film. The dialog is clear and can be understood throughout the entire film. The audio isn't horrible and the hiss isn't that bad.

Hollywood Video hasn't included any extras on this release. It is too bad that Hollywood Video didn't include the original version of Shades of Ecstasy on the release as an extra.

Shades of Ecstasy is a fluffy and fun adult film to come from the waning days of shot on film productions. There isn't much to the plot and the viewer can figure the story twist out long before it's revealed, however, the plot entertains the viewer, has good production values, and the sex scenes look nice. Shades of Ecstasy is definitely worth checking out. Hollywood Video has done a decent job with their release with nice looking video and good audio but hasn't included any extras.

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