This four-disc set contains four films starring the Dutch cinema Icon Sylvia Kristel. The four films included are incredibly different, ranging from serious period romance to sex comedy. While not arranged in chronological order, the viewing order suggested by the box set is an interesting one.
We begin with 1975s Playing with Fire, an absurdist psycho-sexual drama that satirizes the rich and powerful by exploring a surreal sadomasochistic system built for their perverse and disgusting pleasures. Kristel plays a captive in the kidnapping scheme. While her role in this film is small, the film itself is an excellent example of the avant-garde projects Kristel sought out.
This is not a pleasant film by any means, as is typical of the works of writer and director Alain Robbe-Grillet. Those uninterested in depictions of sexual violence, perversion, and absurdist unreality should steer clear. This masterclass in discomfort is optional viewing.
Pastoral 1943 is an intriguing WWII drama released in 1978 about the German occupation of The Netherlands. Kristel is Miep Algera, an English teacher at the school where the main character, Johan Schults (Frederik de Groot), also works. She is shunned by her peers and neighbors because of her romantic association with a German officer.
We find, however, that her romance is a cover for her position in the resistance. She funnels the information her German lover slips from time to time to her contact with the resistance. This film is an excellent war drama, highlighting an often overlooked and rarely dramatized experience during the Second World War. As a film in it’s own right, Pastoral 1943 is highly recommended viewing.
Next is Mysteries, a Dutch translation of a popular Swedish novel. Fans of period romance will find great interest in this film. It is slow and absolutely dated, but this late-Victorian era tale is beautiful from start to finish. The nature on display is stunning and realistic, the staging is dynamic and interesting, and the plot itself is intriguing.
Johan Nagel (Rutger Hauer) is a visitor to a small seaside town who woos two local women, including the rich and popular Dany Keilland (Sylvia Kristel). Nagel befriends a little person whom the townsfolk abuse and call ‘Minute’ (David Rappaport). It is Minute who relays the story. Nagel’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre as the film goes on. There are several beautiful depictions of his visions and dreams including a wonderfully surreal fever dream at the end of the film. Especially for fans of classic romance, Mysteries is recommended viewing.
Finally comes one of Kristel’s more well-known works; 1974’s Julia, a German sex comedy/drama. Much like the first film in this collection, Julia is a study in perversion, though much less extreme. Pauli (Ekkehardt Belle) takes a trip to join his father for a summer retreat away from boarding school. There he meets a long-time friend and object of his lust, Julia (Sylvia Kristel). The two make moves towards lovemaking when they are interrupted by another male friend whose moves end up much more explicit than Pauli’s.
Ultimately unsatisfied that her pursuit of Pauli seems to be going nowhere and desperate to lose her virginity, Julia sleeps with Pauli’s father. Oedipal themes drench the movie as Pauli engages in a tryst with his stepmother. While modern viewers will find this film a bit dull, students of the film may find interest in analyzing the gender and sexual themes present in Julia. This film is hard to recommend for anything beyond study.
Each of the films has its own value and recommendation, but as a collection, the Sylvia Kristel 1970s Collection is an optional purchase for classic library shelves.