Director – Masaru Konuma (Woman in a Box 2, Getting Raped)
Starring – Naomi Tani (Rope and Skin, Lady Black Rose), Nagatoshi Sakamoto (Red Snow, Gate of Flesh), and Hijiri Abe (Secret Chronicle: Prostitution Market, The Hell-Fated Courtesan)
Release Date – 1974
Rating – 3/5
Blu Release – 2.5/5
I’ve been reviewing some of the Nikkatsu Erotic Films Collection for a few years now and every release that I received were movies I had never heard of before. However, for the first time, I received one that I have heard about. Several years ago on the Upcoming Horror Movie’s forum someone had mentioned the film Flower and Snake along with the remake. I didn’t know much about it but I had, in fact, heard about it before the release. Once I got the blu in I was very curious to see movie that actually inspired a remake. Thanks Impulse for sending this one over.
**Spoiler Alert** This film follows a wealthy man who hires someone to kidnap his wife. He wants the man to beat, torture, degrade, and sexually assault her while taking photographs. His goal is to make her submissive and to use the photos to blackmail her into staying with him. **Spoiler Alert**
Flower and Snake seems to be more popular of the Nikkatsu Erotic Films with many horror and underground film fans talking about it. Sure, I had heard about it prior to receiving the blu for review but I never checked it out until now. It works for the kind of film it was going for but I don’t see myself ever viewing it again. With that being said, I’m grateful to add it to my collection.
The acting in this one is the best I’ve seen out of these films. Due to the graphic nature of the film, the cast has a certain intensity that needs to be met in order to make the film believable. The cast really does deliver a great performance where they go above and beyond what most actors would on set.
The story for this one is another example of torture porn where we find someone bound and tortured to fit the story. I typically find films like this very boring and one dimensional but this one has more to it than that. We have some character development and the scenes focus on other aspects of the story aside from the torture. It works but it does get a bit slow during the middle of the film.
Finally, this is not a bloody film. The movie focuses on one woman’s torment and how far a man will go to break her will. It’s not for those looking for a sleazy good time or a bloody flick. Overall, Flower and Snake is a rough one to watch but the story does pull you in and hold you. I would recommend it for anyone wanting a movie that will make them feel uncomfortable. The transfer is great with this one but the lack of special features does make it a questionable purchase for some.
