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Excellent but underrated film

Awesome Movie

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

The idea of a teenage couple (and a pet German Shepherd) spending their (last?) summer vacation together, playing (cruel or tender) games, discovering their 'own secret castle' (including a mysterious cave) and, finally, introducing a third teenager into their midst, with dire consequences, is really a good one - a straightforward coming of age story in a way, but darker and meaner than usual. Every scene has its merit, though I found it rather awkward to watch the sex scenes, which also has to do with the acting; I didn't find it that good or natural - even if the honest portrayal of nudity gave it an extra dimension that I have never seen before. Another problem was that a lot of scenes started dragging on at some point. The voice-over musings did work really well, as did most of the dreamy soundtrack (especially the children's songs, but that recurring synth pop song was a bit of an abomination to hear so many times). Without passing further judgment on a film that is clearly a product of its time and place in some respects, this is certainly a special film in more than one way.A good 6 out of 10. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that poor dove...

I'm not one who separates between art and exploitation, Texas Chainsaw can be said to be both and it's high on my list of favorites. I buy into Cannibal Holocaust's raw power in a big way. I also look out for films about sex, in my view good film works on pretty much the same standards as sex. Like film, good sex is internal, there can be as in any film, roles, a story, attractive presentation, but the real spark is when you lose the superficial walls of who you think you have to be and there are only valleys of vibrant now.This is all from the outside. It isn't about sex so much as delusion and power dynamics, a Lord of the Flies offshoot notoriously banned in a score of countries for its frank depictions of pubescent sex. But does it matter? Power lies not in what the story is about but how it penetrates. This is sloppy, panting without passion. Meandering through nature as poetry. Worse, it's pretentious — instead of showing her being raped, a snake crawling on the girl, symbolic of spoiled purity. Later she falls down a rabbit hole.It is art. All art exploits the curiosity of looking, nothing more to it. It's what you draw our eyes to that matters.

A typical 70s Italian coming of age film, original and good music, but with some quirks, interesting but not fantastic photography, poor and at times confused storyline (e.g. the role of the wolf-dog, and where does the boy come from?) with poor dialogue, nice ambiance.The reason it is still (relatively) well-known and sought after is probably the nude scenes (including typical 70s pseudo-coitus) involving an 11 and 13 year old girl with an older teenage boy (Eva Ionesco and Laura Wendel) - it is interesting from a socio-political point of view to see how these representations of very young adolescents was considered acceptable and normal in the whole of Europe (and US) 30 years ago, whereas now it is more than taboo.The story revolves round bullying of one girl (Laura) by the other two characters, and her discovery of sex, a quite accurate representation of an aspect teenage life. The character of Eva (Silvia) does not evolve to the very end of the film and already appears very versed in the erotic arts - there is no "coming of age" for her: she is a very vain young girl who is already aware of her sexual charms, but ultimately is just used and ends the film crying like the little girl she really still is. The boy is an utterly despicable bully, while Laura comes across as a very naive and weak victim.

I'm glad to see the controversy of this movie is reflecting on the comments too. That means it's really one of the most controversial movies ever, and only because it deals with underage sexuality in a very graphic manner and their natural cruelty. Only because?!!! Yes, only because of that! Why not?! Or anyone here still think teens or even children have no sexuality, or are not capable of having cruel intentions? In what planet are you living, humm? Talking about the movie, it is really very idyllic, with eerie photography and music, and the only three teenager actors acting like they were in a Greek tragedy. By the way, the "climate" of the film reminds me of long time ago read Greek and Roman pastoral stories. Perhaps, this is not simple coincidence, who knows? As far as I know, the director was never invited to explain what he intended while doing this one. They were very busy, inviting him for prosecution... All in all, it's not a great movie, but is hard to forget once you give it a try, due to the haunting atmospherics and, perhaps, the sexual content, like in those old pastoral poems I mentioned before. On the other hand, it's a shame that movies in this line cannot be done anymore because of hypocrisy, what makes me think whether we are really evoluting, or the contrary...7 out of 10, for it's courageous (although exploitative)and unique portrait of youth.