Both the original and uncensored versions of the movie that was described in a 1972 Interview magazine review as "hitting the bull’s-eye of 'bisexual chic'" was one of the first mass-market erotic films to explore bisexual couples.
Cult Epics said that a generation later the film still stands out not only for its lively storytelling and imaginative sex scenes, but also for devoting nearly equal time to heterosexual and gay relationships.
The original film was based on a hit 1971 off-Broadway play that starred 25-year old Sylvester Stallone as a telephone repairman who gets embroiled in a plot where a happily married swinging couple make a bet that they can seduce naïve young newlyweds during a weekend get-together at their luxury Riviera villa.
The film will be available Oct. 26, preceded on Oct. 12 by a never-before-released uncensored version that contains seven additional minutes of adult scenes. Both editions will be available at retailers for a list price of $29.95 for the DVD and $34.95 for Blu-ray.
The company said that the print used for both versions has been newly restored ensuring a crisp high-definition transfer. The extras for both editions include a behind-the-scenes featurette and a new interview with featured actress Lynn Lowry, plus commentary by Metzger and film historian Michael Bowen.
The Cinefamily, a group dedicated to spotlighting interesting and unusual films, will host a special screening of the uncensored version on Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. at the Silent Movie Theatre at 611 N. Fairfax Ave. in Los Angeles. A question and answer session featuring Metzger will follow the film.
Cult Epics said it will continue to spotlight Metzger’s work next year with plans to release two more of the director’s critically acclaimed erotic films on DVD and Blu-ray. “The Lickerish Quartet” is due out in Jan. 2011, followed in April by an extended version of “Camille 2000.”
