Originally released under the title (Sylvia). This Is possibly one of the oddest, weirdest, craziest Grindhouse, sexplotation type of films that one would ever see or ever try to comprehend. The weirdness of it is perfect and the strange reality of what it captures holds the viewer in all of it’s odd and surreal atmosphere.
Joanna Bell plays the title character of Sylvia. She is a quiet, meek, saintly upper-class woman. But Sylvia has a secret, she has a separate personality that love’s sex.
This was directed by none other then Peter Savage. Savage was an actor, director, producer, writer. Many will know him from his writing. He wrote and directed and starred in The Runaways (1965). Most notable he was one of the co-writers for the cinematic masterpiece 1980’s Raging Bull. He also had a cameo in Raging Bull which he also helped produce. He also had a performance in two other Martin Scorsese films: Taxi Driver, and New York, New York. Aside from his work with Scorsese He also starred in such cult classics like 1973’s Double Agent 73, and 1983’s Vigilante.
A Saint, A Woman, A Devil stars someone that’s interesting to mention. One of the junkies in this movie is none other than actor and stunt man Sonny Landham. Many will know him from his iconic role in one of the coolest 80’s films Predator where he plays Billy. What most people don’t know is that he was a 1970’s porn star. And you get to see him in all his birthday suit glory in, A Saint, A Woman, A Devil. But It’s his ultimate persona in the many cult films that people will know him from, such as 79’s The Warriors, 84’s Fleshburn, 86’s Firewalker, 88’s Action Jackson.
Leave it to the wonderful studio Vinegar Syndrome to bring out this really twisted interesting oddball of a film. Multiple personalities, massive sex, nudity and porn and an all around wild trip into the 1970s grind house, drive-in, sleazy, sexy, exploitation type of film. This is probably one of the strangest films they’ve released so far.
People around Sylvia, her loving family and friends are weirded out and confused by her ultimate sinful, degrading actions. Her sister seeks out help with a psychiatrist, might I add played by none other then the director himself. They seek out to explore the reason why Sylvia is changing into her darker side of lustful sex-exploration.
Sylvia wants sex from whoever and slowly starts demanding it frm anyone who crosses her path, a door salesman, a junkie, a lesbian, whatever, it doesn’t matter as long as Sylvia’s darkside can explore the very recesses and crevices and cleavage and every forbidden part of the female or male body.
What’s amazing about the Vinegar Syndrome DVD release is this is a restored original X-rated version all 108 minutes of wonderful 70s porn. This DVD also contains the R-rated 90 minute version. The 108 minute version is truly a weird awesome strange experience. This movie is for any fan that loves grindhouse films. For anyone that loves sexplotation films. This is for anyone that loves a twisted plot with a lot of porn.
This is fun wild, entertaining watch. Truly an interesting film and unless you’ve seen it, it’s hard to explain any other way.
Audio/Video: (4/5)
+ Dual Layer DVD-9 | Region Free | 1.85:1 Anamorphic | MONO
+ Scanned and restored in 2k from 35mm archival elements
Extras: (5/5)
108 Uncut Version
90 min R rated cut of the film!
Overall: (4/5)
A perfect classic 70s porn. A weird film, truly a great experience for those who love the strange and the bizarre. A cult film in all its sexual glory.
Director – Peter Savage
Cast – Marc Stevens, Joanna Bell
Country of Origin – U.S.
Discs – 1
Distributor – Vinegar Syndrome
Reviewer – Abraham Phillips