3. The Story of O (1975)
Based on the infamous erotic novel by Pauline Reage, this film is a very sexy, glossy adaptation by Just Jaecklin - the King of European High Class Soft Porn. The story concerns fashion photographer O, who is whisked away by her lover Rene to a chateau where she undergoes all sorts of sadomasochistic initiations to prove her love for him. O is introduced to both Jacqueline a model and Sir Stephen who was raised as a brother alongside Rene. The two women become lovers and O is taken to another house to be branded by Sir Stephen who inserts rings into her labia before branding her with his initials. O is now deeply in love with him. O later trains Jacqueline to be a slave for Rene. She asks Sir Stephen if he would go through a similar initiation to prove his love to her. He says he guess he would. She brands him with her cigarette - an O. I have read The Story of O and Jaecklin's film is remarkably faithful to its roots. Central to the theme of the film is the total willing submission of women which is totally voluntary. The acts in the film are not imposed and no one is violated - it is all completely consensual - in order to prove your love for a man. However, what is interesting about O is the proud spirit she retains. She knows her erotic power, even though she is submissive and can use this to beguile men. Yes, there is a hint of feminism about this SM female domination movie! With a strange and other world-like quality, The Story of O contains some genuinely erotic moments, despite the passing of the years, and is frankly worth watching for the glorious sight of Corinne Clery frolicking in the nude for the best part of the film.