Cries of Pleasure Blu-ray Review

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, the Blu-ray release of "Cries of Pleasure" from Severin Films boasts a 1080p transfer derived from a recent 4K master. The remaster retains a few minor scratches and blemishes, contributing to its convincing, organic look—one of the more authentic Franco restorations in recent memory. Notably, the absence of problematic digital artifacts enhances its fidelity. However, there's room for improved encoding optimizations which could make the presentation even more compelling. Color grading is generally well-handled, though some indoor scenes show atypical light captures that temporarily disrupt balance—a quirk common in many Jess Franco films. Overall, image stability is commendable, and the presentation is technically robust.

Despite these minute imperfections, "Cries of Pleasure" translates beautifully on screen with its organic charm intact. The color grading maintains an authentic palette that is pleasing to the viewers, though indoor scenes, occasionally, bear the mark of the film's original photographic limitations. The film's stability remains solid throughout, affirming the careful remastering efforts. Severin Films' attention to maintaining the core aesthetic integrity while addressing critical visual elements like scratches and blemishes significantly enhances the viewing experience. This Region-Free Blu-ray release ensures compatibility with players globally, making it accessible to a wider audience and showcasing the dedication put into preserving Franco's original vision.

The Blu-ray release of "Cries of Pleasure" features a standard audio track in Spanish LPCM 2.0, with optional English subtitles that appear within the image frame. The dialog track stands out as clear and stable, ensuring viewers can follow the conversations without difficulty. At times, one might notice a few small pops, but these minor imperfections do not detract significantly from the overall listening experience. Importantly, the audio does not suffer from serious age-related issues, such as distortions, which can often plague older films.

In terms of dynamic intensity, the audio tends to be somewhat uneven. However, this characteristic appears to be reflective of the original mixing choice rather than a flaw in the remastering process. This unevenness is often observed in Jess Franco's films, suggesting a stylistic decision rather than a technical shortcoming. Additionally, the English translation provided is of high quality, capturing the nuances of the original Spanish dialogue accurately and enhancing the accessibility for non-Spanish speaking viewers. Overall, while not groundbreaking, the audio presentation on this Blu-ray serves its purpose effectively, preserving the film's intended auditory experience.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "Cries of Pleasure" provide an immersive and educational deep dive into the world of Jess Franco, making it a must-watch for cinephiles and Franco enthusiasts. The features include "In the Land of Franco: Part One", which offers a visually engaging journey through various locations across Europe significant to Franco's filmography. "When Donald Met Jess and Lina: Part One" delivers a nostalgic and informative archival interview that explores Franco's and Romay's cinematic legacies and methodologies. Additionally, "Jess Franco's Golden Years" covers the director's '80s Spanish period, detailing his collaboration with Golden Films Internacional and providing insights into the production nuances of Cries of Pleasure. Each feature maintains a professional tone, well-suited for a technical audience, while still engaging and informative.

Extras included in this disc:

In the Land of Franco: Part One: Stephen Thrower explores European locations where Jess Franco shot his cult films. When Donald Met Jess and Lina: Part One: Archival interview with Jess Franco and Lina Romay discussing their work and cinema. Jess Franco's Golden Years: Stephen Thrower delves into Jess Franco's '80s Spanish period and his work with Golden Films Internacional.

Jess Franco's Cries of Pleasure, also known as Gemidos de Placer (1983), has intrigued audiences anew with its recent release on Blu-ray by Severin Films. This version arrives meticulously sourced from an exclusive new 4K master, ensuring the film is presented with impressive clarity from the original camera negative. The film is offered fully uncut, allowing viewers to experience Franco's work in its raw and unaltered form. The story unfolds in a luxurious villa on the Costa del Sol, where Antonio (Robert Foster) brings his lover Julia (Lina Romay) to his home. There, they are joined by Antonio's wife Marta (Elisa Vela), another lover Martina (Rocío Freixas), and their guitarist, Fenul (Juan Soler). The plot centers around a series of pleasure-filled interactions that blur the lines between dominance and submission, creating a unique, hypnotic atmosphere.

Franco's narrative is not typical; it diverges from a conventional storyline, emphasizing instead a series of sexual séances that immerse its characters into a trance-like state. This approach transforms the film into an atmospheric voyage rather than a traditional pornographic endeavor. The interactions among the characters reveal subversive dynamics, particularly as the women begin to overpower Antonio throughout the escalating sexual games. While Franco’s films often suffer from low-budget constraints, this work demonstrates his unique capability to produce visually engaging and stylish sequences despite these limitations.

Cries of Pleasure stands out within Franco's extensive oeuvre due to its "De Sade-esque" madness embedded in a contemporary setting, which he achieved partly through the liberating use of recreational drugs. This atmosphere evokes parallels with Roger Corman’s The Trip, where characters' psychedelic experiences are central. Franco’s technique transcends mere erotica; it captivates through its creation of a sensorial ambience that remains genuine and immersive. The Severin Films' release further enhances the viewing experience by including insightful programs with critic Stephen Thrower and archival interviews, enriching our understanding of Franco's vision and the era that birthed such audacious cinema.

Severin Films' Blu-ray release of "Cries of Pleasure" offers a visually compelling presentation sourced from a pristine 4K scan of the original camera negative. The resulting transfer provides a lush and organic portrayal of Jess Franco's erotic thriller. However, it should be noted that this meticulous 4K scan retains some of the original material's imperfections. Expect occasional scratches and speckles that reflect the film's vintage nature, though the overall quality remains commendably clean. The location work within the Costa del Sol villa is effectively showcased, with the film’s colors servicing the atmospheric scenery well, albeit not particularly bold.

The audio is provided in Spanish 2.0 mono LPCM with optional English subtitles. The dialogue is consistently clear, complemented by Fenul's six-string compositions which add subtle texture to the audio landscape. Nonetheless, a perceptible hiss and crackle accompany the soundtrack, remnants of the original recording that might impact the overall listening experience for audiophiles. Despite these minor setbacks, the balance between dialogue and music maintains coherence throughout the film.

If I had to rank all of the erotic films from Jess Franco's oeuvre that I have seen to date, I would place "Cries of Pleasure" toward the very top. There are a few like "She Killed in Ecstasy" and "Vampyros Lesbos" that have vastly superior production values, but the long sexual séance that is chronicled in "Cries of Pleasure" oozes atmosphere that is too pure to have been crafted entirely in Franco's head. The people that made the film in the lavish villa in Costa del Sol went on some kind of a trip, and while it lasted, Franco shot the best of it. I could be wrong, but this is the only take on the film that makes perfect sense to me. Severin Films' release is sourced from a very nice recent 4K master and comes with three excellent bonus features. It is also Region-Free. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.