Starring - Kosta Prekas (High Treason, The City Jungle), Christine Allen, and Stefanos Stratigos (The Man with the Carnation, Proud Eagles)
Release Date - 1969
Genre - Crime/Drama
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)
Rating (out of 5):
My favorite thing about boutique labels are the ones that doesn't just cater to forgotten horror and no budget action flicks from the direct to video era. While I love regional horror and no budget action, I also like films from other parts of the world that defy genres. I love, and I mean love, exploitation flicks that that blend different sub-genres together into something unique and a bit different. A few weeks back Mondo Macabro sent over a Greek double feature with the films Sexomania and Lady Desire. I knew nothing about these films prior to reviewing them and couldn't wait to check them out. After spinning Sexomania, it was time to dig into the 1968 film Lady Desire which was also released under the title I Blame My Body. Like always, I want to thank Mondo Macabro for sending this one over.
The film follows a woman who has tried to hide from society finds her family heirlooms have been stolen. A local constable investigating the robbery becomes somewhat obsessed with the woman that he knows nothing about. His investigation uncovers her sordid history and all the romantic partners she has had over the years.
Lady Desire is not what I was expecting it to be but does live up to the title. I went into this one expecting it to be a full late 60s nudie flick in tune to the counter culture hippie films of the time. However, what I was given was something like that with a story a little more complex. Honestly, I liked it but I don't see myself revisiting it any time soon. The acting in this one is good all the way through. The movie itself is very heavy on dialogue in some scenes while others are completely lacking yet the cast is able to carry the story through it all. They body language and mannerisms to convey emotions in some of the scenes while others are great examples of well rounded acting. I was very surprised by this cast. The story for this one is not necessarily a nudie flick or a sexploitation film like I was expecting. The movie is more a crime mystery with some sex scenes inserted at times when the story needed them. We follow the constable or whatever he's called as he pries into the young woman's backstory. We do have those scenes but I wouldn't call this a nudie flick as these scenes are not the point of the film. They only add to the film while the plot itself is enough to carry the viewer's attention. Finally, this is just like the other film in the set. It doesn't feature any blood or a body count. It's focus is on the characters and story which is does a great job on. Overall, Lady Desire is not going to be for everyone. Hell, even the sexploitation fans may not dig this one but I really enjoyed it for what it was. I highly recommend it.
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