Camille 2000 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Camille 2000 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 1, 2011

Radley Metzger's "Camille 2000" (1969) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Cult Epics. The supplemental features on the disc contain the film's original theatrical trailer; audio commentary by director Radley Metzger and film historian Michael Bowen; restoration comparison; making of featurette; deleted and alternate scenes; and more. In English, without optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

To love or not to love

While visiting Rome, the handsome and wealthy bachelor Armand (Nino Castelnuovo, Rocco and His Brothers, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) meets the stunningly beautiful Marguerite (Daniele Gaubert, Milanese Story, Paris Does Not Exist). The two are instantly attracted to each other, but Marguerite is unable to break free from her excessive lifestyle.

Once Armand shows willingness to share the eccentric parties and wild orgies Marguerite enjoys, things begin to change. She warms up to him and he begins fantasizing about spending the rest of his life with her. However, Prudence (Eleonora Rossi Drago, Le Amiche, Violent Summer), Marguerite’s best friend, warns Armand that he should be ready to experience disappointment.

As time goes by, Armand begins to understand why - Marguerite is addicted to sex and money, and loyal to Count de Varville (Philippe Forquet, In the French Style), a man who years ago saved her life. But during a romantic trip to the countryside, Marguerite vows to change her destructive habits and love only Armand. A few days later, however, she is confronted by Armand’s father (Massimo Serato, Mermaid of Naples, Don't Look Now), a famous businessman convinced that Marguerite is after his family’s wealth, who warns her to stay away from his son.

Radley Metzger’s Camille 2000 is a stylish psychedelic take on the famous Alexandre Dumas fils novel La Dame aux Camélias. Like most of Metzger’s films, it oozes a type of erotic energy which contemporary films simply cannot reproduce.

The lavish parties and orgies – which unlike the ones seen in Metzger’s later films leave plenty to the imagination – are shot with attention to detail which at times rivals that observed in the films of Luchino Visconti (The Damned). Inside the villa (which was once the home of the great Gina Lollobrigida) where Marguerite resides there are theme rooms that look remarkable. The dresses, costumes and various accessories seen at the parties are also outstanding.

The progression of Marguerite and Armand’s relationship is occasionally marred by random overly melodramatic scenes that make the film look somewhat inconsistent. In these scenes it is easy to understand what motivates the two lovers, particularly during the second half of the film after Marguerite is forced to make the important decision that alienates Armand, but the majority of their reactions look unnatural.

Elsewhere, however, the fantastic psychedelic atmosphere is so overwhelming that the melodrama becomes incredibly easy to tolerate. A similar effect is present in Lucio Fulci’s cult thriller Una sull'altra a.k.a Perversion Story, which was released during the same year Camille 2000 was, 1969 - the plot inconsistencies are easier to absorb because of the film’s terrific style.

The film is complimented by a superb soundtrack courtesy of the great Italian maestro Piero Piccioni, whose work is arguably as influential as that of the legendary Ennio Morricone. The superb "Chains of Love", "Easy Lovers", "Charms", and especially "Pearls" enhance the terrific 60s feel in the film exceptionally well. (Piero Piccioni has composed music for such films as Antonio Pietrangeli’s La parmigiana, Alberto Lattuada’s Mafioso, Sergio Corbucci’s Minnesota Clay, Elio Petri’s The 10th Victim, and the Italian version of Jean-Luc Godard’s Le mepris, among others).

Camille 2000 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Radley Metzger's Camille 2000 arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Cult Epics.

This Blu-ray release of Radley Metzger's Camille 2000 represents a massive upgrade in terms of visual quality over the R1 SDVD release of the film, which First Run Features produced in 2006. In fact, the R1 SDVD release was so poor that I ended up importing a R2 SDVD produced in Germany, which had a marginally better picture quality. The gap in quality between Cult Epics' Blu-ray and the R2 SDVD is still enormous.

Though not as lush and vibrant as Score and The Lickerish Quartet, or the superb The Image, Camille 2000 still looks very good. Detail is dramatically improved, especially during the problematic for the SDVD release indoor scenes, while contrast levels are now pleasingly consistent. Clarity still has a tendency to fluctuate a bit, but the fussiness and horrible macroblocking have finally disappeared. The overall softness obviously is inherited - the 2011 transfer of Camille 2000 was made from the original 35mm negative, with additional scenes taken from a 35mm interpositive print.

Edge-enhancement is not a serious issue of concern. Heavy DNR corrections have not been performed either, though the light grain that is visible throughout the film is occasionally mixed with light noise. Lastly, there are no serious stability issues. However, there are various tiny flecks and scratches that occasionally pop up here and there. (Note: This is Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Camille 2000 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English Dolby Digital 2.0. For the record, Cult Epics have not provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.

The inclusion of a lossy audio track instead of a loseless one is slightly disappointing because Camille 2000 boast a truly phenomenal psychedelic soundtrack courtesy of the great Piero Piccioni. A strong loseless track would have opened up the entire film exceptionally well (particularly during the party scenes). Still, the outstanding "Charms" and "Pearls" sound very good - the pops and cracks from the SDVD release have been practically eliminated. The dialog is also relatively easy to follow, though optional subtitles should have been included because as some of the European actors have rather thick accents. Please note that the few very minor sync issues are present because a few of the actors overdubbed their lines after the film was completed.

Camille 2000 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• On the set of Camille 2000 - narrated by director Radley Metzger, this curious making of featurette contains plenty of archival footage from the shooting of the film in Rome. In English, not subtitled. (31 min, 1080p).

• The Restoration of Camille 2000 - a before and after comparison showing the original SDVD release, the new un-restored transfer, and the final restored version. (7 min, 1080p).

• Sylviana's Bare Striptease - a scene that was cut from the film before its theatrical release. Music only. (3 min, 1080p).

• Cube Love Scene Alternate Take - a newly discovered alternate take. Music only. (2 min, 1080p).

• Commentary - an audio commentary by director Radley Metzger and film historian Michael Bowen. Not subtitled.

• Score Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for Score. In English, not subtitled. (4 min, 1080p)

• Camile 2000 Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for Camille 2000. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p)

• The Lickerish Quartet Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for The Lickerish Quartet. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p)

Camille 2000 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I am very pleased with Cult Epics' Blu-ray release of Camille 2000, one my favorite Radley Metzger films. I only hope that the folks at Cult Epics will also manage to bring to Blu-ray the rest of the director's films (his pre-Henry Paris works). It really has been special to see Score, The Lickerish Quartet, and now Camille 2000 as they were meant to be seen. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.