The Alcove
(1984/Severin DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C Film: C
Joe
D’Amato is a filmmaker who has done many things behind the camera, but never
shied away from exploitation, though he is far from the worst in the
category. Outside of Action and Western
genres, he loves sex and his 1984 opus The
Alcove is a silly, yet entertaining (even if the story is not memorable)
about an “African Princess” (Laura Gemser) brought home circa 1940s by a
married white soldier whose wife is having a lesbian affair. A sort of Mandingo-lite (no pun intended) in reverse, the film’s only real
purpose is to show sex and nudity as the cover suggests.
In this,
it does it as well as can be expected (though he thinks it is still the early
1970s) and the throws in all the sex he can think of, along with some drugs and
other silliness. This is the uncut
version, which is good, because there is not other reason to watch this in any
other version. It only is watchable
because it is actually trying to be interesting and has some by-default
moments. I would not go out of my way
for it, but those curious will find some interesting moments just the same.
The anamorphically
enhanced 1.85 X 1 image is not perfect and the print is old, but color is
decent and the all-important flesh tones are in better shape than many films
from the time that cost much more.
D’Amato did his own cinematography.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono is consistent and at a decent volume
throughout, but also has its distortion and sonic limits considering the low
budget of the project. Extras include a
trailer and interview with D’Amato.
- Nicholas Sheffo
