I have seen a lot of films in my time, and many of them had the word(s) ‘classic’ or at least ‘cult classic’ plastered somewhere on the box at the video store. The Image (The Punishment Of Anne) was just such a film. However, as I learned from my disappointing experience with Venus In Furs (read my last review) those terms are not always accurate. When it comes to The Punishment Of Anne however, I would have to agree. The film, directed by Radley Metzger (a pioneer of adult cinema) is no Godfather or Casablanca type classic, but in the realm of erotica it is well deserving of the term.

The film takes us into the private world of Claire and her slave Anne through the eyes, and narration, of Jean. Jean becomes enraptured by the beautiful Anne at a party and when her mistress, and Jean’s friend, Claire notices this, she invites him to join them. Thus begins the surrender of Anne to both of them. The film is based on the novel by Catherine Robb-Grillet, who wrote the book under the name Jean de Berg. The film plays out like a novel, with each section beginning with a chapter heading and lots of narration from our man Jean.

These types of films can tend to overdue the narration and do way too much telling rather than showing. This is tantamount to not having enough respect for the audience to be able to figure it out for themselves (see my review of The Story Of O). In this case, while there is a lot of narration, it just works. It fills in the gaps that can’t be done by merely showing. Taking us inside the heads of the characters and their Dom/Sub and S&M games. This is a world that many are either unfamiliar with, or don’t quite understand the motivations behind it, and Metzger wants these people to feel ‘comfortable’ with what’s happening or at least attempt to understand it. This is also important, as otherwise the end of the film might seem odd and out of character.

As for the graphic nature of the film, be prepared for lots of nudity and graphic depictions of S&M activities such as bondage, flogging and forced sex. Image: The Punishment Of Anne will appeal to fans of good erotica filmmaking and those with an interest and/or curiosity about a world they might or might not be a part of.