Customer Reviews

Wife to Be Sacrificed

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

'Wife' is one of the best examples of the Japanese Film Industry's notorious pink films made in 1974 by Nikkatsu Studios. Starring the Queen of Japanese SM Naomi Tani, 'Wife' is the story of an abducted woman who overpowers her abusive husband by succumbing to the pleasures of masochism. The film articulates a social commentary through the depiction of graphic SM scenes that fuction as a metaphor for gender relations in Japanese society. The underlying theme of the movie is to suggest that there is an impossibility of romantic love between japanese men and women and that sadism and masochism are possibly alternative forms of love than those of social obligation or the reani kekkon (Love marriages). The film asks us (well the japanese of 1974) to take a closer look at our realtionships to each other and roles within society which may be in itself the bigger of SM relationship than that of the personal one depicted in the pink film. Overall its a gruelling film to watch but Pasolini's SALO was never intended to be fun entertainment either. The amazon video tape reviewed here is a quality transfer from the original uncensored Japanese 35mm print which retains the crystalline cinematography and minimal soundtrack. The film is subtitled which is required for an artistic film with such a rare tension between cruelty and beauty.

Wife To Be Sacrificed is the best filmed Japanese BDSM erotica I have
ever seen. It also hits several other taboo subjects quite hard. It
is beautiful and disturbing. There is no comedic relief. The gorgeous
Naomi Tani is absolute perfection. This film is not for everyone. It
is dark and touches on some very uncomfortable subjects besides the main BDSM storyline. Having said that, there are very few quality films with
an actual storyline dealing with BDSM. This is the best I have ever seen.
The quality of the look and feel, is that of a big budget film. As with my review of Flower & Snake '74, this is worth having- even if just for Naomi Tani. The viewing quality of the Kino DVD is excellent.

Oh Naomi, how many times must you be bound, tortured and forced before you realize how much you love it? Apparently many, many times.

Naomi Tani, taking her name from the classic Junichiro Tanizaki novel "Naomi," made her career in the Nikkatsu Studios notorious "pink" SM films. This woman has probably been tied up and beaten more than anyone else alive. If you have the stomach for this sort of thing, then "Wife to be Sacrificed" ("Ikenie fujin") is one of the best of the genre.

Kunisada's wife, Akiko (Naomi Tani), left him three years ago due to his violent temper. Kunisada has bided his time, until he could reclaim what is his. Kidnapping her, he takes her to a hidden cabin where he subjects her to a variety of humiliations, slowly breaking her will until she realizes that true love lies in abject submission to her husband. Along the way, they take in another couple, a failed double-suicide, and try to share their new found wisdom.

The style of "Wife to be Sacrificed," along with the performances of the actors, is what sets it apart from other films with similar plots. It is almost artistic in its pursuit of the boundaries of submission and love, taking itself very seriously. The eroticism is subdued, and is never explicit. While there is nudity, it is nothing even approaching "hardcore."

Definitely not everyone's cup of tea, and there is more than enough here to offend, but if you like a bit of well-done SM, then "Wife to be Sacrificed" is for you.

This is probably one of the best examples of classic Japanese erotica ever. The aesthetics are amazing and the film is very well shot. The DVD transfer is quite beau]]tiful and clear. The film is not for everyone and the story is certainly lurid. A must for fans of this genre. Naomi Tani is simply amazing.

The film also contains an insightful doc on Konuma as well.

if you like this you'll also enjoy - [ASIN:B000VSDN64 Tattooed Flower Vase (1976) (Sub)]

Oh Naomi, how many times must you be bound, tortured and forced before you realize how much you love it? Apparently many, many times.

Naomi Tani, taking her name from the classic Junichiro Tanizaki novel Naomi, made her career in the Nikkatsu Studios notorious "pink" SM films. This woman has probably been tied up and beaten more than anyone else alive. If you have the stomach for this sort of thing, then "Wife to be Sacrificed" ("Ikenie fujin") is one of the best of the genre.

Kunisada's wife, Akiko (Naomi Tani), left him three years ago due to his violent temper. Kunisada has bided his time, until he could reclaim what is his. Kidnapping her, he takes her to a hidden cabin where he subjects her to a variety of humiliations, slowly breaking her will until she realizes that true love lies in abject submission to her husband. Along the way, they take in another couple, a failed double-suicide, and try to share their new found wisdom.

The style of "Wife to be Sacrificed," along with the performances of the actors, is what sets it apart from other films with similar plots. It is almost artistic in its pursuit of the boundaries of submission and love, taking itself very seriously. The eroticism is subdued, and is never explicit. While there is nudity, it is nothing even approaching "hardcore."

Definitely not everyone's cup of tea, and there is more than enough here to offend, but if you like a bit of well-done SM, then "Wife to be Sacrificed" is for you.

This DVD release is better than previous versions, including the documentary "Sadistic and Masochistic", a retrospective of director Masaru Konuma, the king of the genre and of course the director of "Wife to be Sacrificed" as well as the classic Flower and Snake. The feature film and this documentary make for a really nice package, and a great introduction into Japanese SM flicks.

I watched this movie as I was getting ready for work and to say the least, I was almost late for work.

The primary actors in the film are some sick puppies (smile). Both the characters of the wife and the husband are in dire need of professional mental health. I guess I could say the same for the director of the film and myself for watching it. The bathroom scenes where outrageous.

In reality, not a film for those with weak stomachs. The acting was outstanding but some of the subject matter......

Good to have in the DVD collection but not a film for anyone not used to Japanese pink films.

Note: I am so glad that they did not show any (disgusting) scenes with the little (cute) Japanese girl. If they had done that I would have disposed of the DVD.

Graceful Japanese erotica. Think twice if you are sqeamish about sexual variation, s&m, etc. Nicely done, interesting plot line. At points somewhat disturbing but so goes the oriental mind with unapologetic imagery.

The ex-husband disappeared three years ago. He returns, claiming just to be passing through. By a clever device, he ensnares then kidnaps his ex-wife. He takes her to an almost idyllic rural location. The film becomes a study of seduction and conquest, resistance and a struggle to retain personal integrity. He promises. She `lets him'. Promises are broken. She is tethered. Degradation enters the frame. Torture ensues. Violation by two strangers leads to her discovery, unconscious and dishevelled. His reactions are contradictory. A fishing trip offers unexpected bounty. It is a digression that offers him more pleasure and her, vicarious and eventually, actual enjoyment. The two discovered young lovers are humiliated. Hers is perverse; lavatorial, with the irony of triumphant music to highlight her relief - perversion indeed. This is a wife being degraded, not sacrificed. The conclusion surprises, on many fronts.

Ian Hunter.
Author of `e-Love'.

"Turn your head, I don't want you to watch"
"No, I want to see it coming out your ...."

Well if that dialogue from the movie sounded interesting to you than you might like this film. If it makes you kinda ???? wonder why you're watching something like this than you'll probably end up giving it 3 stars like I did.

Definitely not a movie for the mainstream, or the squeamish. Has a Japanese sensibility and storyline that makes it a little difficult for us Westerners to understand.

The themes and bondage are universal however, and were nicely done. Not a how to by any means, but plenty of sexy scenes and shots to make it worthwhile if you are into the bdsm scene.