2. The Image (1975)
Metzger directs probably the finest film ever to deal with sado-masochism: The Image (also knows as The Punishment of Anne). Jean, a writer, meets up with an old friend Claire (yes, I get everywhere these days), who is a sadistic lesbian. He becomes enmeshed in Claire's kinky sex life as she tortures her slave - Anne. Poor Anne is subjected to all sorts of humiliations - forced urination, whipping, bondage, needles - yet she cannot say no - she is a true submissive. A much better film than that other mega perv director Just Jaecklin's Story of O, which dealt with similar erotic SM material (namely The Story of O by Pauline Reage, The Image is based on a book by Catherine Robbe-Grillet). It's super stylish, super interesting and - above all - super erotic. If you are into or are curious about the world of BDSM, then The Image is must see viewing (if you haven't seen it already, such is its reputation) and it is quite provocative stuff. Erotic even to non-BDSM folk, The Image is pornography at its finest - sexy, arousing, engrossing, beautifully shot and emotionally-involving.