In The Realm Of The Senses is based on true events taking place in pre-war Japan between a man, hotel-owner Kichizo Ishida and a woman named Sada, former prostitute turned maid working in his hotel. Simply put, Kichizo and Sada begin a sexual affair. As their love for each other turns into obsession, their sexual exploits become more dangerous and aggressive, leading to the ultimate climax (pun intended). The real-life story that serves as the film's basis was so shocking at the time when it occurred that Japanese newspapers and radio were forbidden from reporting it.

I said, "Simply put" but in reality, there is no greater complexity to the tale. In The Realm Of The Senses, is an hour and forty-five minutes of two people having sex and talking about their obsession with one another. Looking back on the film, I am hard-pressed to remember more than three or four scenes that took place outside the bedroom or didn’t involve the couple having sex.

Oshima is fixated on the couple's obsession and never gives us anything else upon which to focus. Character development is pushed aside in order to center on the sex and the growing lengths to which they go to feel each other's intimate intensity. Over the course of the film they cover almost every sexual position and genre, from anal sex to using sex toys, from bondage with ropes to reckless knife play, you name it they do it.

What this experimentation and adventurous lovemaking did for me, was two-fold. On one hand, it pulled me mentally into their growing obsession to make the final moments of the film more believable as one feels part of their obsessive relationship. On the other hand, it was also somewhat boring. At first, all the shots of penis and vagina engaged in explicit sex acts culled my interest. However, after the initial shock value had worn off, I was left yearning for greater substance.

Since its release, In The Realm Of The Senses has sparked loud debate between those who feel its graphic nature transports the audience to the heart of obsession and those that think it's merely gratuitous art house porn. Previous films I've seen have pushed me towards one extreme or to the other in such a debate. However, with this flick, I land somewhat in the middle. While I found the film somewhat tedious, the ending proved quite satisfying.

In The Realm Of The Senses is a film about which much has been written and said by both critics and supporters. However, many people have never had a chance to see it, given that it is still banned in numerous countries. If we were to play the “most banned” game, Nagisa Oshima’s 1976 film would find itself in very good company with the likes of Pasolini’s 120 Days Of Sodom, which I previously reviewed. Director Nagisa Oshima's original cut of the film was initially banned in his native country. Even in present day, only a censored version is available in Japan. Meanwhile, it took over 15 years before finally passing the censors in other Western countries like the UK. Even today, you might still have to search a bit to find in fully uncensored form.