a revolution from the 60's

A Customer from England, 16th May, 2007

I first saw this film in the late sixties - a time of chaos and revolution throughout the universities of Europe and the USA. I found it absolutely thrilling at the time - the anarchy of the inmates of a lunatic asylum in France in the period following the Revolution totally in step with the spirit of the time. The story centres around a new 'liberal' governor allowing the Marquis de Sade to put on a musical play performed by the inmates telling the story of the assassination of Marat. The whole performance takes place on a knife edge of violence and sexual threat which keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is not a 'horror' film - the underlying text is fairly profound and based on the philosophical opinions of the Marquis, following his long incarceration in prisons and asylums for his sadistic and pornographic writing. But for those who want a film that is a bit different from the normal run of things, this could be for you. Even after 30 odd years I can still sing some of the songs!

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