Rent Bilitis (1977)

Dull Erotic Drama - Bilitis review by GI

A slow sexual awakening story, all soft focus and lingering camera shots usually on the naked body of star Patti D'Arbanville. Director David Hamilton shows his photographer roots here by shedding story for visuals. The film is certainly a beautiful one to look at, summer scenes and young nubile girls literally everywhere, indeed at times it borders on being uncomfortable to watch. The main trouble here is that whilst attempting to create a sensual atmosphere the film fails to make the sex scenes impactive preferring to paint rather than film and explore the narrative in a direct and enthralling way. The story, what there is, is of young Bilitis, a pupil in an all girl school where she has sexual encounters with some of the other girls, who goes to the home of her Aunt Melissa (Mona Kristensen) for the summer holidays. She witnesses Melissa's nasty husband Pierre routinely raping her, has a reluctant relationship with a young lad and effectively seduces Melissa. Overall it's boring, it's part of the short 70s wave of erotic films led by Emmanuelle (1974) so maybe of interest only if you can stay awake!