Emanuelle in Bangkok (1976)

The global sucess of the first Emmanuelle (1974) film quickly lead to a slew of sequels and knock-offs, one of the most popular of which was Black Emanuelle (1975) (just one M to avoid copyright issues) which starred Indonesian born Laura Gemser as a photo-journalist. While the original Emmanuelle series had focused on the extra-marital affairs of a woman and her husband, which although liberating for her, were completely at the whim of her husband, this Black Emanuelle film showed the woman as a strong independent figure who chooses her own lifestyle.

 

 
This photo-journalist storyline is used throughout the Black Emanuelle series, and it provides plenty of opportunities for the character to travel around the world visiting a variety of exotic locales, with no particular hurry to pass through any of them. Emanuelle in Bangkok uses this opportunity to perfection, allowing its lead to travel first to Thailand and later to Morrocco, with resemblance of a Mondo film at times (most notably in the otherwise unnecessary shots of a fight between a snake and a mongoose). Bangkok was the location of the first Emmanuelle film, and it is clear that the writers are trying to outdo their illustrious predecessor, especially in the night club stakes - the infamous "cigarette" scene from the first film is surprassed here by a scenes with a stripper who can do amazing things with ping-pong balls.

The storyline itself flows well, building enough interest in the Emanuelle character to keep people interested between the sex scenes, with some good characterisation for the rest of the cast as well, something that many erotic films fail to do. Dialogue is often the downfall of a sex focused film, but unlike Emmanuelle (1974) we are not treated to some daft philosophy, nor the foul-mouthed "dirty talk" of most modern erotica, but instead some surprisingly well written and plausible conversations that really help to build the characters. As expected there are plenty of sex scenes, but the writers manage to keep the balance on the storyline side, so Emanuelle in Bangkok becomes a narrative film with sex rather than a sex film with some storyline, and as a result the pacing is strong, not getting bogged down in lengthy sex scenes. Most of the sex takes the form of Emanuelle liberating some previously stuffy men and women, but most interesting is the relationship between Emanuelle and the American ambassador's daughter which comes off as surprisingly tender and could well be something out of a more serious film, building to a surprisingly emotional conclusion. The only sequence that seems to be really unnecessary is the gang-rape of Emanuelle by some of the King's guards, which is then followed by the lead guard walking her carefully back to her car and telling her to take care. The writers do not really make enough of this sequence, which could have been followed by Emanuelle becoming discouraged and afraid to trust men, but instead, like the Prince who promises Emanuelle the ultimate orgasm, it seems to be completely forgotten once she leaves Thailand.

Director Joe D'Amato is best known for his very sleazy films (notably, the infamous Antropophagus (1980)) but he shows a lot more subtle talent here. The majority of the film is shot well, with some very nice exterior locations in Morrocco and Thailand, and the sex scenes are very nicely filmed - managing to remain erotic without becoming mere pornography although they do have a tendancy to edit away quite suddenly which can make it appear as though they are cut. Obviously blessed with a good budget the sets all look very good, while the soundtrack by Nico Fidenco has an incredibly cheesy opening theme, but generally works well throughout the film.

 
Laura Gemser returns for the first of the Black Emanuelle sequels in the title role. Incredibly slim, she looks very confident in the nude scenes but is equally good in the rest of the film, she certainly has the presence to be the independant woman that she portrays. Euro-cult actors Ivan Rassimov (Terrore Nello Spazio (1965)) and Venantino Venantini (Cannibal Ferox (1981)) are recognisable in small roles, while Gemser's real life husband Gabriele Tinti (who starred alongside her in all the Black Emanuelle movies) plays Roberto very well, coming off well as quite a jerk in the later scenes. A nice selection of attractive female co-stars provide plenty of sexy eye-candy, and like Gemser they manage to perform equally well with their clothes on.

Emaneulle in Bangkok will probably come as a surprise to some and a disappointment to others. Not half as sleazy as one might expect from a Joe D'Amato credit (and one of the most gentle entries in the Black Emanuelle series), it is instead a very well written and directed erotic film, that manages to be sexy and tell a decent story. Although let down slightly by a gratuitous animal fight and a seemingly tacked on rape scene, the film is very enjoyable and comes recommended. A good place to start exploring the Euro-sexploitation cinema of the 1970s.

All text in this review written by Timothy Young - 29th March 2007.
Text from this review not to be used without authorization.

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