Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		2.0

Emanuelle in Bangkok Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman August 30, 2023

Note: This film is available on Blu-ray as part of Severin's The Sensual World of Black Emanuelle release.

Kier-la Janisse gave film fans one of the most outstanding boxed sets of the last few years with All the Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium of Folk Horror, a late 2021 release that ended up making my Best of 2022 list. Janisse is back now with another gigantic boxed set, one that's even bigger than the folk horror compendium, and one that may appeal to a certain niche audience who may not have been especially interested in that earlier set. Those who may remember the rating system of days of yore will probably recall the "M" designation, which meant "for mature audiences only", and if I may be permitted an orthographic joke that is admittedly a bit arcane, some might argue that Emanuelle gave up one of her "m"'s in favor of three x's, at least with regard to some cuts of the many Black Emanuelle films. For those not conversant with the history of this perceived franchise, and who may be scratching their heads at my "joke" (what else is new?), Black Emanuelle was a pretty blatant attempt to cash in on Emmanuelle, and in order to avoid any potential legal hassles one of those original "m"'s in the title character's name got dropped. Furthermore, as supplements on many of the discs included in this set offer, there were hardcore XXX inserts (in more ways than one) that at least some of the Black Emanuelle productions offered. Joke explained, hopefully. Perhaps even more comedically than my fitful attempt at humor, the Black Emanuelle series ended up offering many more films than its perceived progenitor, and 24 of them (with additional cuts) are aggregated in this at times overwhelming collection. This is a collection where the quality of the films may be highly debatable, though it's salient to note that the supplements both overtly reference and are in and of themselves examples of perhaps unexpected critical scrutiny this franchise has engendered, and anyone interested in this kind of bizarre franchise mash up of what might be called porno, mondo and gonzo will most likely find this an amazing set to dive into.

Emanuelle in Bangkok may be where a lot of genre aficionados feel like the Black Emanuelle series really got going, as it teamed Laura Gemser with Joe D'Amato for the first time, in what would prove to be a career defining relationship for both of them. The film continues with what had already worked with at least the original Black Emanuelle, offering Gemser again as a globetrotting photojournalist, this time on the hunt for an interview with the rich and powerful in Bangkok. What ensues is of course a study in hedonism, as Emanuelle becomes intimate with any number of men and women who cross her path. As is discussed in both supplements on this disc as well as others in the set, this film also starts to offer some kind of peculiar and frankly rather shocking "mondo" elements which would continue to be utilized in later installments, in this case some unabashedly disturbing footage of a mongoose attacking a snake.

Emanuelle in Bangkok Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Emanuelle in Bangkok is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Severin's almost overwhelming book The Black Emanuelle Bible included with this set offers a brief description of the transfer, as follows:

Source: 2K scan from StudioCanal with additional restoration and color work by Severin Films.

While showing just a bit of softness throughout, some of which I attribute to on the fly shooting methods, this is a nicely detailed and well suffused looking presentation. Once again locations are utilized very effectively, and the palette is often nicely vivid in any number of outdoor moments. Interior scenes can have a slightly yellowish quality at times, but on the whole the color timing looks healthy and natural. Grain resolves without any major issues, and there are only very minor signs of age related wear and tear on display.

Emanuelle in Bangkok Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As with many of the films in the Black Emanuelle set, Emanuelle in Bangkok features DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks in either Italian or English. Toggling between the tracks discloses very little if any real differences between them in terms of overall mix and amplitude. Both tracks can show some very minor background distortion in some of the goofy musical cues, including a totally bizarre theme song that Aaron Aubuchon spends some time discussing in his commentary without ever mentioning what I felt was a clear antecedent, the memorable Mah Nà Mah Nà from Sweden: Heaven and Hell, which was later immortalized (?) by The Muppets. Dialogue in both versions is presented cleanly and clearly. Optional English subtitles are available.

Emanuelle in Bangkok Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary with Professor of Film Aaron Aubuchon


• A Reflection of the Times (HD; 6:52) is an interview with actress Debra Berger.


• Ivan the Terrible (HD; 7:09) features actor Ivan Rassimov in an archival interview discussing Emanuelle in Bangkok and Emanuelle Around the World. Subtitled in English.


• Trailer (HD; 1:29)

Emanuelle in Bangkok Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Emanuelle in Bangkok is another whirlwind travelogue with just a few (?) kinky sex scenes thrown in for good measure, but it has a bit more on its mind than its prurient surface attractions might suggest. Technical merits are generally solid, and the supplements are enjoyable.