Directed by: Chris Boger
Starring: Glory Annen, Jeannie Collings, Jennifer Guy, Katherine Kath, Martin Potter
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Distributed: Redemption Films
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Running Time: 109 minutes
Film: 2 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars
The film is written and narrated by Marquis de Sade himself, though is rather bland a bit boring. The other notable aspect was that Roger Deakins, shot this film and has since went onto films like “The Shawshank Redemption” and “No Country for Old Men”. Though beautiful shot, the film does not have any legs to keep you entertained and interested throughout. If you are looking to check out the work of Sade in films, I recommend his related work in 2000’s “Quills”. Though “Justine” is one of his more notable novels, I just wasn’t completely drawn in for the feature version.
The film is a story story of two sisters, one morally pure and one full of lust, who are cast out into a world ruled by crude desires. The girls are faced with the murder, prostitution, bondage and branding. These are all aspects that can only be told by Marquis de Sade. It is a tale of desires, pleasures and corruption of the innocence. The two completely different sisters needs to find a way to break free of this world before they are encompassed.
The 1080p transfer is good but not out of this world. Redemption has done a lot better in the past for sure. The audio includes a LPCM 2.0 track, which works well but is also nothing special for this film. The special features are also not very impressive. There are some standard definition interviews from director Chris Boger and screenwriter Ian Cullen. There is “Alternate Title Sequences”, which includes the English and French titles. Lastly there is also the Theatrical Trailer and Photo Gallery included.