Prostitution Clandestine Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Prostitution Clandestine Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 28, 2021

In a slightly more playful mood, director Alain Payet strives to have a little fun with the oddities of the sex industry in 1975’s “Prostitution Clandestine.” Perhaps describing the endeavor as fun is overstating things slightly, but there’s slightly less heaviness than “Furies Sexuelles,” with Payet taking more of an episodic route with the feature, examining the experiences of photo models who also work as prostitutes, using this special cover to prevent exposure to authorities, leaving them at the mercy of the legal system. It’s not exactly silly, but the Payet tries to keep things moving along, loading the effort with plenty of kinky connections and bedroom encounters, and its semi-lightness is welcoming.

“Prostitution Clandestine” doesn’t offer much in the way of a story, electing to use Claudine as something close to a lead character. Living with her loyal dog, Claudine oversees a small empire of women who are hired by clients to be photo models, offering themselves for naughty pictures before escalating matters to a sexual nature. Claudine is confident, but her fellow working girls aren’t, with “Prostitution Clandestine” showcasing the weirdness of the profession, with one supporting character forced to deal with a lunatic who enjoys taking on different personas and requests the model castrate him in her living room. Another member of Claudine’s army helps an older man unleash his excitement through the power of cross- dressing, and she even has a few males in her stable, helping to satisfy a couple’s cuckolding wish.

Prostitution Clandestine Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Prostitution Clandestine" is sourced from a 2K scan of the 35mm negative, and detail is impressive throughout. Body particulars dominate the viewing experience, with skin and hair from the 1970s crisply showcased, along with textured facial surfaces. Costuming is fibrous, especially with softer lingerie offerings, and a few outdoor events carry compelling dimension. Room decoration is also open for study. Hues are distinct, with lush greenery and lively costuming, offering crisp blues and yellows. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source has some rough spots, including lengthy scratches and blotches.

Prostitution Clandestine Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix leads with dubbed dialogue exchanges, handling performances with clarity and comfort, lacking overt shrillness. Scoring cues are acceptable, with reasonable definition and position, supporting some strange moods that range from seduction to comedy, which is backed by some jaunty piano playing.

Prostitution Clandestine Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (27:16, HD) sits down with actor Richard Allan, who offers his experiences in the French adult film industry. For "Furies Sexuelles," the interviewee details his casting experience, which was basically an assessment of good looks and the ability to achieve an instant erection. He examines his relationship with director Alain Payet, warmly reflecting on the man and his movies, but also challenging the difficult content in "Furies Sexuelles." Allan spends time remembering co-stars (including actors from "Prostitution Clandestine") and friends, many of whom have passed away, and he shares memories of industry evolution, encountering a loosening of censorship in the 1970s and the birth of gonzo filmmaking in the 1980s. An anecdote concerning some hotel hellraising with Payet is shared, and Allan closes with thoughts on his brief move into production before stepping away from adult movies.

• Archival Article Gallery (1:40) collects magazine pages and pictorials celebrating the release of "Furies Sexuelles" and "Prostitution Clandestine."

• A Theatrical Trailer (3:19, HD) is included.

Prostitution Clandestine Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Prostitution Clandestine" grows darker in the final act, which brings in a rather severe S&M display during a party setting, adding some violence to the feature, which doesn't mesh with earlier, calmer happenings. Payet also saves the final minute of the movie to add political commentary, suddenly making a play for seriousness in a picture that, at one point, highlights a client who gets off crawling around a room with a dildo strapped to his face. Tonality is off in "Prostitution Clandestine," but it has moments of unpredictability and sexual freedom that sustain the viewing experience.