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I tried to watch De Sade (1969), the psychedelic, X-rated “biopic” about the famed nobleman/writer/libertine, for last year’s Snark Week, but found it totally boring and annoying. As I wrote then, “the costumes were indeed pretty bad, but I just CAN’T with the late 1960s/early 1970s ‘ooo we’re making this film an ACID TRIP, how cutting edge of us!’ filmmaking. And none of the women appear to be enjoying the BDSM or sex, unless they’re getting paid to do it, so it brings up some weird issues of consent.” But I felt like I needed to check it off my list, so I gritted my teeth and skimmed through it for the visuals. The film was a German-American production, with the costumes designed by Evangeline Harrison (Superman III, A Christmas Carol, White Nights, Lady Chatterley, Frenchman’s Creek).
Here’s what I can tell you: de Sade is played by Keir Dullea (2001: A Space Odyssey), and he wears way too much powder blue:
The sets are brought to you by Hammer Horror:
Most of the film shows de Sade being sad because he has some fantasy of being baited-and-switched on his bride — he THINKS he’s marrying a Stephanie Beacham-lookalike, but instead gets “stuck” with Anna Massey in some weird fever dream/acid trip:
He continues to spot Bad Stephanie Beacham and chase after her:
At one point he thinks he’s spotted her at a party while wearing a Little Lord Fauntleroy outfit:
There’s weird interludes that literally take place on a stage where he’s sparring with his uncle, an Abbot played by John Huston (Chinatown), and the characters are in over-the-top theatrical costumes:
He has a LOT of issues with a woman who I think is his mother (or mother-in-law?)
De Sade’s proclivities seem to stem from his uncle catching him when he’s young, making out with a girl in the barn; the uncle forces the girl to whip him:
He hooks up with a LOT of floozies who seem right out of Barbarella:
And there’s a bunch of hard-to-see orgy scenes shot with colored overlays and featuring women who, as noted above, don’t really seem to be having a good time:
If you have more stomach for late 60’s acid trips than I do, feel free to watch for actual dialogue and report back!
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You can tell our protagonist is a spoiled wretch when he regards a presumably-lucrative spouse who looks like Anna Massey as a complete deal-breaker.
Especially when he’s obviously the sort of lout who not only keeps a piece on the side, he keeps one on both sides and in the rear too – heck, this being De Sade he might even keep one up front too.
Also, I will never understand why people make De Sade movies that deny us the simple pleasure of getting the rotten little fabulist given a **** good kick in the slats.
Extra Also: given his Uncle is a Catholic priest being played by Mr John Houston, the future Maquis (and the audience) is extremely lucky be wasn’t handed a two way ticket to CHINATOWN (Two-way = The Hard Way and The Nasty Way).
de Sade did have problems with his mother in law, who didn’t have much time for his endless and truly disgusting scandals, his running away with his teen sister in law (who then mysteriously vanished), and the way he wasted his estate constantly paying off victims to avoid imprisonment – so I think the actress’ expression in that screenshot is entirely understandable.
I recall that it was Monsieur le Maquis’ very own family who arranged for him to be locked away – and who could blame them?
The costumes and hairstyles are really scary. Maybe the blue coat and blue cravate is inspired by cartoons? But hey! It seems that there is a real harpsichord!
It sounds like you’re suffering. I hope you’re able to find help and comfort.
Bad Stephanie Beacham. Amazing.