Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Orgasmo Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov July 20, 2020

Umberto Lenzi's "Orgasmo" a.k.a. "Paranoia" (1969) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films. The supplemental features on the disc include new audio commentary by critics Nathaniel Thompson and Troy Howarth; second audio commentary by Alexandra Heller-Nichols; vintage trailer; and more. In English or Italian, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

When this film was conceived by Umberto Lenzi its original title was Paranoia. In the United States, where it did very well, initially it was also distributed as Paranoia. However, back home in Italy the film was given the alternate title Orgasmo, which the Italian distributors thought was much more attractive and in synch with then-current trends. (In the late ‘60s and early ‘70s erotic films -- which covered everything from mainstream erotic thrillers, including the gialli, to spicier adult films -- did a lot of good business for European distributors, and Italian distributors in particular). After the film met local expectations, Lenzi was offered to shoot another film with the original title Paranoia, again with Caroll Baker, which is the reason why there is always a great deal of confusion when this film and this film are discussed. Here's the correct order of appearance for the two films: the first film, Orgazmo a.k.a. Paranoia, was released in 1969, while the second film, Paranoia a.k.a. A Quiet Place to Kill, was released in 1970.

After the unexpected death of her extremely wealthy husband, Kathryn West (Baker) relocates to a lavish mansion in Italy and under the guidance of her lawyer, Brian Sanders (Tino Carraro), begins liquidating different family businesses worth millions of dollars. She also spends plenty of time drinking because the alcohol helps her better manage her depression. Then one day the young and handsome stranger Peter Donovan (Lou Castel) arrives in the area, casually engages Kathryn, and she invites him to stay with her in the mansion. Kathryn enjoys Peter’s company so much that soon after allows him to kiss her, without trying to avoid the servants. Feeling reinvigorated by his kindness and attention, Kathryn even begins contemplating a serious relationship that could permanently keep Peter around her. But the unexpected arrival of Peter’s sister, Eva (Colette Descombes), instantly complicates Kathryn’s relationship with her younger lover and in a matter of days she becomes jealous of her. However, Peter’s attitude also changes, and as he begins to dominate their relationship, Kathryn’s depression returns with a vengeance. The two siblings then slowly take control of Kathryn’s life and very carefully begin preparing her self-destruction.

In an archival video interview that is included on this release, Lenzi correctly points out that the current title, Orgasmo, is essentially a marketing gimmick because it prepares the audience for an erotic thriller which he did not direct. What he did direct is a conventional psychological thriller with a rather brilliantly timed twist that ultimately makes it effective as a giallo as well.

The script demands a lot from Baker, especially in the second half where she undergoes a sizeable transformation, and she answers the call in an admirable fashion. Baker appears legitimately tense, vulnerable, and eventually brittle, and makes her responses to the dilemmas her character faces after the siblings unite against her look entirely logical. However, the same cannot be said about the progression of the drama, simply because many of the situations that allow it to flourish are entirely preventable. In other words, the logic that Lenzi uses to make the film attractive is actually seriously dated and by default compromised. (For reference, A Quiet Place to Kill, which ends with another great twist, does not have the same problem).

But the film’s visual style more than makes up for its shaky logic. Indeed, it very effectively channels some of that classic European glamour, but at the same time does not miss an opportunity to appear unapologetically decadent. Given the social standards of the era in which it emerged and the fact that Baker was considered a Hollywood star, it really was as chic and provocative as it could have been without causing any trouble.

An appropriately stylish soundtrack from maestro Piero Umiliani mixes exotic South American harmonies with light jazzy and then-contemporary pop tunes.

Early theatrical prints apparently had Bertrand Tavernier listed as an assistant director because the film was an Italian-French co-production, but Lenzi admits that the two never met.

*Two versions of the film are included on this release: the Director's Cut, which is approximately 97 minutes long, and the U.S. X-rated Cut, which is approximately 91 minutes long.

Orgasmo Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Orgasmo arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films.

Two versions of the film are included: the Director's Cut, which is approximately 97 minutes long, and the U.S. X-rated Cut, which is approximately 91 minutes long. However, I think that both versions offer the same viewing experience.

The new remaster that was created for the Director's Cut is a bit soft so delineation and depth obviously can be more convincing, but I like the color balance quite a lot. Yes, saturation should be better, but while viewing the film I felt that the color temperature was always right. So, with properly saturated and healthier primaries and nuances, this remaster would have been the most convincing in the box set. Depth and clarity are still decent, so viewing the film on a larger screen leaves the impression that the remaster was struck from a dated interpositive. The best news is that there are no traces of problematic digital corrections. A few white specks and blemishes remain, but there are no large and distracting cuts, damage marks, torn or warped frames to report. The encoding could have been a bit more convincing, but given the nature of the remaster, I think that it is fine. My score is 3.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Orgasmo Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH are provided. On the longer Director's Cut the extra footage was not dubbed in English, so if you choose to view it you will get a couple of minutes of footage in Italian with English subtitles.

The English audio is rather good. I thought that the music sounded very nice, but there are a few areas where the high-frequencies feel a tad shaky. On the other hand, the dubbing is predictably boxy and uneven at times, so keep in mind that there are inherited limitations. There are no encoding anomalies to report in our review.

Orgasmo Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Giallo Fever - in this program, which combines footage from a couple of archival interviews, Umberto Lenzi explains how Orgasmo was conceived and why its original title had to be altered, and discusses the film's performance in Italy and America, its visual style, how his work was greatly influenced by classic American cinema, etc. It is a fantastic program. In Italian, with optional English subtitles. (11 min, 1080p).

• Audio Commentary One - this audio commentary was recorded by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nichols.

• Audio Commentary Two - this audio commentary was recorded by critic Nathaniel Thompson (Mondo Digital) and author and critic Troy Howarth.

• U.S. X-Rated Version - this shorter version of the film is approximately 91 minutes long. Presented in 1080p, with a lossless English track.

• Trailer - a vintage U.S. trailer for the film. In English, not subtitled. (2 min, 1080p).

• CD DISC - separate CD disc with Piero Umiliani's original soundtrack for Orgasmo. A total of 22 tracks. Licensed by Beat Records.

• Art Card - art card with original poster art for Orgasmo and soundtrack information.

Orgasmo Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

When earlier this year British distributors 88 Films announced their release of Paranoia, I thought that we were going to get Orgasmo, and now we finally have it on Blu-ray. I like this film's style a lot, and I think that its finale is almost as brilliant as that of The Sweet Body of Deborah. While ideally Orgasmo could and should look even better on Blu-ray, I think that the current presentation is quite pleasing, just looking slightly dated. The folks at Severin Films have also included Piero Umiliani's soundtrack on a separate CD disc. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.