Didn't find this controversial or shocking at all--except that it was so desperately dull. I'm glad I saw it because I like to check it off the list of movie titles that somehow stuck in my consciousness, but that's really the only reason. Oh, actually, I like seeing foreign cities in film, so there's that. Otherwise--'yawn'. S&M? Stockholm syndrome? Big deal.
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Ah, you obviously need a lesson in classic film making.
The point was not to "shock" in 2008 terms but to portray the psychology of victims of the second world war C.1957.
The scenes in the camp are the clue.
She, a victim, kept alive by the SS major through sex in the camps.
He, a victim of the Nazi "machine" which on the surface he seems to enjoy.
Later it is reveled that Max just wants to be a "church mouse" and renew his SMBD relationship with Lucia.
Both are again attracted to each other.
The Stockholm syndrome effect is in full force.
They are attracted to each other because they are repelled by each other, at first.
Here everything is bent because this love is love lost at best and powers with knowledge of the history of events from the war want nothing to do with "survivors".
They simply "file them away".
So Max & Lucia are doomed, a sad ending.
I found the first half a little bit shocking but after that not really. towards the middle I began to get a bit bored but was thankful when it picked up towards the end. Good movie but no where near great.
shareI thought it was fantastic!
Somebody here has been drinking and I'm sad to say it ain't me - Allan Francis Doyleshare
I too thought it was very good.
Although the ending where they were trapped inside the house felt a bit 'off' to me. The best part was the first hour. That was brilliant.
"DAMN ALL THESE REMAKES TO HELL!" - me
This film is brilliant. Even my mom liked it.
"...we could take the wife down to the basement and have a frenzied free for all with her"
Like you read my mind in advance. This is plain boring. This typically theatrical way of acting is extremely dull: (fell asleep several times) on the verge of pathetic. I've seen a lot of this type of film in my time (from the 40'-60's) but I'd say a little outdated for 1974. Absolutely inconceivable that people can get lyrical about this like I read, glad I missed it in my days when I had considerably less patience to sit out something horrible like this.
shareAs far as this film is concerned, the phrase "à chacun son goût" has never been more appropriate.
Having said that, this film is also sometimes used as a testing ground for people with, shall we say 'unusual' sexual tastes, for them to see if softcore porn Nazi chic is really right up their back alley.
Quand le doigt montre le ciel, l'imbécile regarde le doigt.
Ha! And thus endeth the thread.
shareHaving wanted to see it for a while, I finally watched The Night Porter late last night on Hulu. I watched it to coincide with the fact that the Oscars are this weekend and Charlotte Rampling, the leading actress of this film, finally earned her first Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her work in 45 Years.
While I found The Night Porter to be slightly interesting, (gasp) a concentration camp survivor in a sadomasochistic relationship with her former SS officer, I thought it was dull at times and very slow to the point that the second half could be very soporific. Don't get me wrong. I love FOREIGN FILMS. I love ART-HOUSE FILMS. Ingmar Bergman happens to be one of my favorite directors. I also like some of Federico Fellini's films. I even like some of John Cassavetes' films. However, I can count on my fingers how many times I almost dozed off during the second half of the movie. I even felt they went a little overboard on the minimal dialogue. I was thinking, "Are they trying to go for a latter-day silent film in color or something?" I can understand some of the complaints on this board about the film being dull and slow.
I even cracked up a few times at this movie. When the SS guard and the gay dancer were interacting and during the scene when Rampling and Bogarde are rolling around on the floor trying to relive their sadomasochistic relationship, I couldn't keep a straight face given the campy nature of this film. I don’t know if that was the director’s intention though but I really couldn’t get over the campy dialogue in this film. The film also had a porno look to it, which is funny, given this is a film about a sadomasochistic relationship.
After watching The Night Porter, Hulu next recommended to me Belle de Jour, a film I've already seen. It's ironic because while Belle de Jour is an erotic film and deals with BDSM much like The Night Porter, I think the former is a much better film. Even in Belle de Jour when there is not much going on, you are engaged by the much subtler sexuality and surrealism Belle de Jour sustains.
The Night Porter is one of those films you watch due to its reputation in 1970s arthouse cinema, not so much its actual quality. I can see why the critics weren't too kind with this film. I felt indifferent once the end credits stopped rolling.
5/10
So many would be critics find fault with the picture. A few recognize it for the classic it is. Folks, the younger crowd in particular, Criterion does not provide their superlative restoration process unless the movie is a classic. So for those of you that can't recognize a good film when it is viewed, perhaps another form of entertainment would be more up your alley. Forget the movie after dinner and go straight to the bedroom.
shareFolks, the younger crowd in particular, Criterion does not provide their superlative restoration process unless the movie is a classic.
Geez man, you call me rude? You seem to have an anger issue that should be dealt with. Quite possibly suffering from paranoia as well. And yes, Criterion spends too much time, effort, and expense to provide their treatment on inferior films. Look at the entire catalogue! Just because you don't happen to care for a Criterion title or two means what? Everybody has an opinion just as everyone is able to defecate which is just about what most opinions are worth. This videophile will continue to peruse the new offerings from Criterion for superlative viewing.
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