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 JUSTINE
(Blue
Underground) 1968. Erotic drama. 124 minutes. NR, nudity, sexual
situations. Directed by Jess Franco. Justine, a young beautiful virgin,
finds herself in a world of trouble after she is tossed out of the
orphanage that she called home. Almost instantly, Justine is robbed of her
money and forced to perform housework in exchange for a place to stay and
food. As what happens with most young virgins, Justine is thrown into a
French women’s prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Soon after,
Justine breaks out of the prison with a seasoned criminal veteran and the
trouble really begins. From this point on, Justine is forced into all
sorts of wacky sexual junk, branded a murderess, and ends up with an
insane monk (Jack Palance).
Based on a novel by the Marquis de Sade, Justine proves that ol’
Marq has issues with young women being forced to perform sexual acts
they’d rather not (see Eugenie). This movie is
slow and loaded to the hilt with French annoyances. And what’s the deal
with Jack Palance? This guy has always annoyed the snot out of me and he
continues his notorious behavior with this nutty role. Extras include an
interview with Franco and producer Harry Allen Powers, trailer, stills
gallery, Franco bio, etc. Klaus Kinski also plays a small role as the wig
wearing Marquis de Sade. Romina Power (Justine) is just a tad too young
looking in this movie which made me feel just as uncomfortable as I was
bored. – Denis Sheehan
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