Waves of Lust Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Waves of Lust Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 17, 2026

Ruggero Deodato's "Waves of Lust" (1975) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Raro Video. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new audio commentary by critics and podcasters Adrian Smith and Rod Barnett; archival documentary on the making of the film; deleted scenes; and vintage TV commercials with audio commentary by Ruggero Deodato. In Italian, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Among seasoned connoisseurs of Italian genre films, Ottavio Alessi’s Top Sensation enjoys a special reputation. Top Sensation, which as of today cannot be seen in pristine condition, is widely considered to be one of the all-time hottest Italian genre films.

This reputation exists for two reasons. The first reason is that Top Sensation unites two of the most gorgeous European actresses who made genre films in post-war Europe, Edwige Fenech and Rosalba Neri. In their prime, too. Top Sensation is not a skin flick, but it leaves virtually nothing to the imagination. Second, while it is not a big-budget production, Top Sensation is a strikingly beautiful film that very much looks like one. Some of its beauty has everything to do with the terrific beach and ocean footage it features. Some of it has everything to do with supposedly little things, like the elegant swimwear that Fenech and Neri are seen with.

Ruggero Deodato completed Waves of Lust several years after Top Sensation, and to declare that the former aspires to be like the latter would be one of this year’s biggest understatements. Was Waves of Lust conceived by Deodato to be like Top Sensation? Plot similarities between the two films are very obvious. There are endless stylistic similarities. Also, Waves of Lust is an anomaly in Deodato’s oeuvre – there just isn’t another film like it there.

In Waves of Lust, young lovers Irem (Al Cliver) and Barbara (Sylvia Dionisio) befriend older lovers Giorgio (John Steiner) and Silvia (Elizabeth Turner) in sunny Sicily. While dining together, Giorgio, a wealthy industrialist, suggests that they all board his luxury yacht and spend a few days enjoying each other’s company and exploring some of the area’s hidden gems. However, shortly after the two couples board the luxury yacht, Giorgio’s serious drinking problem and relentless abuse of Silvia spoil the party.

Waves of Lust and Top Sensation overflow with adult sexual innuendo. Both films use it as a catalyst for the intense drama that shapes their identities. Also, both films feature resets that produce surprising developments. However, there is a substantial gap in quality between the two.

In Waves of Lust, the character transformations are only decent, making the resets appear slightly unnatural. More importantly, the atmosphere is somewhat inconsistent, so the desired feeling that the luxury yacht is a stage for dangerous debauchery never quite materializes. As a result, at the end, it is difficult to brush off a different feeling, which is that Deodato and the four stars should have done a little better.

In Top Sensation, virtually all of which also takes place on a luxury yacht, there is almost too much heat. Some of it comes from material that is borderline problematic, too. In other words, the atmosphere is ideal for a memorable Italian genre film. Additionally, Fenech and Neri, while looking gorgeous and giving terrific performances, are involved in several great resets.

Raro Video's Blu-ray release presents the Italian version of Waves of Lust. In the past, a slightly different, more explicit English version of Waves of Lust was also distributed.

Waves of Lust Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Waves of Lust arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Raro Video.

The technical presentation of Waves of Lust can appear deceivingly great. To be clear, it is one of the best presentations of an Italian genre film in Raro Video's catalog. However, it ha a few minor flaws.

Typically, delineation, clarity, and depth range from good to very good. However, trained eyes will easily spot that grain exposure is not as good as it should be. In a few areas, usually with outdoor panoramic shots, the grain has a light powdery appearance, which is common on some older Italian masters. As a result, subtle details and nuances are not perfect. The good news is that the grain does not have the distracting harsh appearance that is associated with machine noise -- it is just not ideal. Image stability is very good. Color reproduction and balance are very good. In a few areas, I noticed small instability, but I liked the overall color balance and temperature of the presentation a lot. A few tiny blemishes pop up here and there, but there are no distracting large cuts, marks, debris, warped or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Waves of Lust Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I have Raro Video's original DVD release of Waves of Lust in my library, so I did a few quick comparisons. The lossless track helps the audio appear slightly fuller. However, the unevenness is retained, and dynamic contrasts are not dramatically improved. Also, the upper register is good but not immaculate. The English translation is excellent. However, I would have appreciated larger English subtitles.

Waves of Lust Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critics and hosts of Wild, Wild Podcast Adrian Smith and Rod Barnett. I enjoy the commentaries these gentlemen do quite a lot because they feature proper deconstructions and interesting factual information. However, this time, I am going to respectfully disagree with their assessment of Waves of Lust and specifically that it has something in common with Purple Noon. The closest relative of Waves of Lust is Top Sensation.

• Erotic Tsunami - in this archival documentary, Ruggero Deodato reveals that initially he was not keen on directing Waves of Lust. However, he made the film with his wife, Silvia Dionisio, who at the time was already a star in Italy. After the film became a huge hit in Italy, Silvia Dionisio lost an important contact. Screenwriter Lamberto Bava also comments on the conception of the film. Al Cliver addresses Deodato's directing methods and a few of the more explicit sequences in the film. The program was produced in 2005. In Italian, with English subtitles. (18 min).

• Deleted Scenes - presented here are several more explicit scenes from the English version of Waves of Lust. Dubbed in Italian, with English subtitles. (5 min).

• TV Commercials - presented here are various TV commercials directed by Riggero Deodato, which can be seen with an audio commentary. In Italian, with English subtitles. (21 min).

Waves of Lust Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While collectors of Italian genre films are patiently waiting for Ottavio Alessi's Top Sensation to appear on Blu-ray, which probably is not going to happen any time soon because all surviving elements for it are said to be problematic, they could grab a Blu-ray copy of Ruggero Deodato's Waves of Lust. Both are quality erotic thrillers. Waves of Lust is just a smaller, less attractive film. I have always kept a copy of it in my library, and I can confirm that Raro Video's Blu-ray release offers the best presentation of the film to date. It is Region-Free, too. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.