4. La bete (1975)
An American heiress called Lucy goes to the French countryside to marry the son of an impoverished Marquis. The families are very excited and the new bride radiates innocent happiness throughout the proceedings. Unfortunately her husband Mathurin is dim witted and deformed. She learns of a curse on her husband's family. When she meets Mathurin, she tries to leave but is persuaded to stay by the family. Whilst asleep, Lucy dreams she is Romilda - one of Mathurin's ancestors - playing the harpsichord. She sees a lamb running through the woods and goes after it only to find out it has been pulled apart by a big black beast. The beast has sex with her and she enjoys it. Lucy wakes up aroused and masturbates. She falls asleep again and has a fantastic sex session with the beast. The beast masturbates and ejaculates all over her breasts and then dies of exhaustion. Lucy goes into Mathurin's room and finds him dead. She screams for help and it is shown that Mathurin has thick black hair all over his body and a tail, as well as a claw for a hand that was disguised by a bandage. Lucy and her aunt flee the mansion. La bete is a grotesque erotic fantasy fairy tale. It is very odd to find a film that tackles the subject of bestiality in such an erotic manner. It is a shocking film, and not for the faint of heart or easily upset but if you can suspend your initial disgust at the thought of bestiality being portrayed on the screen, La bete is a striking, daring and skilful piece of erotic art examining a young woman's sexual awakening. Another one for lovers of the bizarre or people who like bold erotic films that challenge the accepted norms.