Lady Chatterley

For those who disdain British miniseries, but thrill to scandalous sex and full frontal nudity, let me save you some time and direct you to episodes two and three of Ken Russell's 1992 four-part BBC adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's infamous novel. These episodes contain the very naughtiest bits involving the illicit affair between "loyal wife, good companion" Constance Chatterley (Joely Richardson) and Oliver Mellors, gamekeeper to Constance's embittered, paralyzed husband (James Wilby), who encourages her to take a lover and produce an heir to his fortune. Granted Mr. Chatterley didn't have the lowly "wild man of the woods" in mind, but soon enough the woods are alive with the sound of heavy panting and frantic couplings in sheds and up against trees. Save for one dream sequence involving a black horse (a symbol of passion, one character helpfully explains), and the--at times--overheated musical score that threatens to overwhelm the lovers, Russell holds his tendencies toward excess in check. Still, while the production is impeccably mounted, and the performances (particularly the daring Ms. Richardson) impassioned, the film--to quote another character--"left me unmoved." Boasting a decent DVD transfer, and extra features that include an interview with Russell, photo gallery, filmographies and a Lawrence text biography, this is an optional purchase. (K. Lee Benson)