This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!
Details
This special limited edition spot gloss slipcover (designed by Stephan Zee) is limited to 3,000 unitsand is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Pulse Video is a France based, genre film focused boutique label which specializes in creating ultimate home video releases of cult and X rated films. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is excited to help bring their extra features loaded editions across the Atlantic!
A unique figure in the history of French cult film, José Bénazéraf came from the nouvelle vague but focused his interests in eroticism rather than politics, while still creating work which was as socially relevant as it was sexually provocative.
A pioneer in fighting censorship of nudity and sexuality in French cinema, Bénazéraf was also amongst the first directors to make movies with hard-X scenes, both helping to invent and subvert the expectations of the genre. Now, for the first time, you can experience six rare and even lost films from Bénazéraf’s most controversial period, all newly scanned from the original negatives:
In BLACK LOVE (1973), the first film by Bénazéraf to include hard scenes, a young black American escapes to Paris to help assist in a Black Liberation uprising, but quality realizes that there is a traitor in his organization. In LA VEUVE (1974), infidelity in a country chateau leads to deadly consequences. In LES DEUX GOUINES (1975) a scheming bride-to-be experiences abuse and revenge against her wealthy and famous fiancé. In LA PLANQUE (1975) and LA PLANQUE 2 (1976) Bénazéraf explores hard eroticism in two different crime stories, one a violent thriller and the other a light comedy. Finally, in his award winning experiment, J.B. 1 (1976), Bénazéraf dispenses with all pretense of story, creating a part fiction/part documentary study about the making of a porn film, as the viewer witnesses the work of the production crew while seeing the orgies they are photographing through the eye of the camera.
directed by: José Bénazéraf starring: Claudine Beccarie, Alphonse Beni, Béatrice Harnois, Joëlle Coeur 1973-1976 / 465 min (combined) / 1.66:1 / French Mono with English subtitles
Additional info:
Region Free 3-Disc Blu-ray
Newly scanned & restored in 2K and 4K from their original 35mm camera negatives
Sequence Bis for Les Duex Gouines
Newly translated English subtitles
Overall rating: 4.6185565 / 5 from 97 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
This limited edition Blu-ray collection of José Bénazéraf's controversial films offers excellent transfer quality, great value, and a must-own collection of classic French erotica. The release has been highly praised for its quality and worth.
Summary topics
Film Transfer Quality (9%): Customers keep praising the transfer of the film, describing it as nice, great, and excellent.
Value for Money (12%): Customers raved about the great value and excellent quality of the product, making it a popular choice.
Film Quality (33%): A substantial number of customers appreciated the film, describing it as a great film must own.
Collection of Classic French Erotica (23%): Many customers appreciated the great and amazing collection of classic French erotica released by Pulse Video.
Release Quality (19%): Many customers stated that the release of the film collection was excellent and worth the price of admission.
"Great film must own Thanks again;) transfer looks incredible." — jerrod a.
"I love getting great international collections and releases from Pulse Video" — Josie B.
"Nice release with an awesome transfer." — Michael S.
Reviews
Great films, great value
"Brillint 3 new films added to my collection!"
— Damian H. (5/5)
Excellent Archival Collection
"A fascinating and very well-presented collection that gives important context to José Bénazéraf’s work. The set has a strong archival value, with a thoughtful mix of films and documentary material. The transfers are impressive considering the source elements, and the overall presentation feels carefully handled. A great release for collectors interested in cult and European cinema history."
— Thomas L. (5/5)
Great collection
"The movies I watched so far have been great, but it's better knowing Benezaraf was in breathless"
— Nicolas V. (5/5)
José Bénazéraf: The Forbidden Films
"I nearly passed on this release because I was not sure if this had much hardcore content or if it was mostly softcore. Well, it has plenty of hardcore scenes. I think only the first film had only one short hardcore scene but the other films in the set did not disappoint. For me, J. B. 1 (1976) was the best film in this collection. This is a super value presentation, especially if picked up while on sale. Highly Recommended."
— Lea L. (5/5)
Mixed bag
"This is quite a mixed bag of films, not all of them true hardcore, but you should find something to enjoy and it's a bargain for the number of films you get,"
— Nicholas W. (4/5)
So much content in this
"So much content in this 3 disc release. I've only heard about Jose Benazeraf in passing so it was great making it a 6 film combo. His films are filmed with horror, suspense, film noir and so many other interesting subjects. You could always tell he was trying. Great release!"
— Bryan K. (5/5)
Eclectic grouping of films
"Not necessarily what you might expect from a set of “forbidden” xxx films, but if you’ve read up on Benazeraf the style is more French New Wave than French taboo-breaking hardcore chic. An important release to link the filmmaker’s work with the era’s other boundary breaking mainstream artists, giving a fuller view of what the 60/70s were like in France for film."
— Jesse H. (4/5)
Not good
"Not good at all. There is a reason why it contains 6 movies for such a low price. I hope for better French movies with Marilyn Jess from Pulse in the future."
— Mathias S. (2/5)
Can be tedious
"As a budget collection of movies, it's good to have. The transfers look pretty good. The sound issues with "Les Deux Goines" is a drawback, but not VS's fault. It's strange how much of the sex is fake in these. The best thing (imo) is Claudine Beccarie, and there are some other very beautiful women. But these can be a chore to sit through, and there are no real special features to speak of telling you anything about the participants. Beautiful shot of Béatrice Harnois on the slipcover, she is lovely."
— Adam C. (3/5)
A nice set
"I enjoyed almost all the movies in the set. With the exception of the two La planque movies, which I found forgettable. But the other ones were particular and interesting. The best ones for me were Black Love and Les deux gouines. La veuve had a very sardonic ending. Overall I appreciated very much the use of music by the director. Very good restorations. Recommended."
— DARIO T. (4/5)
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