Opening with a quote by Luigi Pirandello regarding the elusive and illusory nature of reality, Radley Metzger's 1970 soft-core, art-house offering, "The Lickerish Quartet," is indeed one mind-twisting film. In it, a stepfather, wife and son watch a stag film one night in their sumptuous castle, and later go to a carnival and see a motorcycle stunt performance. They bring home the beautiful blond cycler, who bears an uncanny resemblance to one of the hotties in that stag film, and she proceeds to seduce all three in turn. The end. But wait a minute...why is that stag film subtly altered now, and why do the family and the hotty start emulating the action IN that film? Apparently, Metzger & Co. have some comments they'd like to make regarding art imitating life, or life imitating art, or the mutability of reality, or how film alters our perception of truth, or how time plays tricks on memory. After two viewings, I'm still trying to figure the darn thing out. But the picture does provide other pleasures, besides its baffling themes. The four principals are all quite good, especially the gorgeous Silvana Venturelli as the blond (or is it brunette?) temptress. The location of the film, the Piccolomini Castle in Balsorano, Italy (also the location, BTW, of the 1965 Italian horror film "The Bloody Pit of Horror"), is equally gorgeous, and Enrico Sabbatini's set decor of the castle's chambers (especially that library!) is also a feast for the eyes. Perhaps best of all, Stephen Cipriani has provided a Morricone-like score for the film that is exceptionally beautiful, and certainly deserving of a soundtrack CD. This score is especially lovely when used as a backdrop for Silvana's prancing through a sunlit field. Still, "The Lickerish Quartet" remains a trippy head-scratcher, at best. Lines such as "Isn't everyone in movies?" and "Reality's hard" might clue in potential viewers to prepare themselves for one brow-furrowing evening....
20 Reviews
well filmed and edited soft-erotic flick
trashgang1 October 2015
The follow up of Camilla 2000, remember, the flick with the moaning girls and the sex scene's who were a bit lame. If we could talk about sex scene's to be honest, but the score made it all better. So with the voluptuous main lead, Silvana Venturelli, from Carmilla the director Radley Metzger went on to this project made in full porn bloom.
Starts off with a bunch of people watching an erotic picture. The erotic flick goes further then Camilla ever did. Silvana goes full frontal and this time the camera shows the girls giving head even as nothing is shown it do offer some soft-erotic parts. We move over to some stunts being done on motorcycles, a bit too long but there the man recognises the girl on the bike as the girl from the erotic flick. He invites her back to his castle, guess you all know what is coming. In the castle the director goes as far as possible with close-ups of Silvana's private parts.
Much better story with the magic involved, excellent filmed. A bit of mystery going on with the films itself which give this flick an uplift. Not bad at all, Metzger's best effort.
Gore 0/5 Nudity 3/5 Effects 0/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5
Starts off with a bunch of people watching an erotic picture. The erotic flick goes further then Camilla ever did. Silvana goes full frontal and this time the camera shows the girls giving head even as nothing is shown it do offer some soft-erotic parts. We move over to some stunts being done on motorcycles, a bit too long but there the man recognises the girl on the bike as the girl from the erotic flick. He invites her back to his castle, guess you all know what is coming. In the castle the director goes as far as possible with close-ups of Silvana's private parts.
Much better story with the magic involved, excellent filmed. A bit of mystery going on with the films itself which give this flick an uplift. Not bad at all, Metzger's best effort.
Gore 0/5 Nudity 3/5 Effects 0/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5
Poised uneasily, but surprisingly successfully, between art and porn
allyjack17 August 1999
It's a pretty adventurous movie, poised rather uneasily between constant arty inventiveness and a distinctly stilted coating of baroque overemphasis that, of course, makes due space for the porno calculations. From the very first scene of the family watching the dirty movies, heard initially as disembodied heads in darkness, there's an obvious hankering after seriousness, and the astonishment is that this ambition never becomes utterly foolish. It's quite a provocative film, and would likely not seem so dated with warmer, more nuanced actors, a less obviously titillating style, and without the unfortunate montages of running through the fields and suchlike to the accompaniment of gooey sixties music. There's ultimately no real revelation though, despite the constant return to doubling and echoing and evocation of the odd relationship between art and life, but it gives the feeling of having been intuitively (more than intellectually) shaped and prodded into something quite coherent. The highly designed library sex scene hardly fits but is memorable in its own right.
Erotic mindbender!
Infofreak4 November 2002
'The Lickerish Quartet' is very much a product of the early 70s when the idea of mixing the art movie and soft core genres was in vogue. Radley Metzger created a fascinating albeit very pretentious pseudo-psychedelic mindbender which is quite unlike any other similar movie of this era. At times I was reminded a little of Jess Franco's 'Succubus', but 'The Lickerish Quartet' is truly a one-off. Metzger plays with time, with frequent cuts, flashbacks, flashforwards, and dream sequences, so by the end fantasy and reality are blurred, and everybody, including the audience, is no longer exactly sure what actually happened, and what didn't. Silvana Venturelli is beautiful and well cast as the mysterious "visitor", and Frank Wolff ('Cold Eyes Of Fear') stands out from the supporting cast, as the wealthy sophisticate who gets a lot more than he bargains for. This movie is a real treat for lovers of 60s and 70s "head" movies, and will appeal to fans of Jodorowsky and Bunuel as much as Franco or Jean Rollin. Highly recommended.
fabulous looking, brave, intriguing and beguiling
christopher-underwood25 October 2013
I didn't enjoy this quite as much as I did a few years back and this may be because I found the pacing a little difficult this time. Nevertheless it is still a fabulous looking, brave, intriguing and beguiling movie. I don't know where the title comes from and I don't know why the daredevil motorcycle sequence, early on, was so long but the central idea with the supposed projection of an old stag movie that is not all it seems is a great notion. The castle setting (Balsorano, Italy) is amazing and the Stelvio Cipriani score one of his very best, so lush and stirring, particularly effective in the 'very sixties' running jumping and having sex outdoors sequence and the superb pop art library sex sequence. I must mention the solid Frank Wolff, who would drown himself in a Hilton bath tub shortly after this film and the amazing, Silvana Venturelli, who would do little else after this than some playboy layouts. Not for everyone but if the names Vadim, Robbe- Grillet and Warhol don't scare you off, you'll probably get something out of this unique film.
Rather dated now.
dave13-114 April 2012
The premise for the film: A decadent couple invite an adult film actress up for a party, but instead of letting them debauching her, she turns the tables and challenges their own mores and hypocrisy. Rather ambitious for a sex film, and with some potential verbal fireworks when put that way, hmm?
Unfortunately, the movie falls far short in the execution. The script of The Lickerish Quartet tries hard to shock with its bi-curious sensibilities and was no doubt more able to do so pre-Gay Lib, but now it seems rather naive, confused and inarticulate on the subjects of swinging, swapping and coming out of the the closet. The cast attempts to appear as jaded sophisticates, but just come off as stiff and inexperienced. The European setting is prettily photographed, but beyond that there is not much of interest on screen.
Unfortunately, the movie falls far short in the execution. The script of The Lickerish Quartet tries hard to shock with its bi-curious sensibilities and was no doubt more able to do so pre-Gay Lib, but now it seems rather naive, confused and inarticulate on the subjects of swinging, swapping and coming out of the the closet. The cast attempts to appear as jaded sophisticates, but just come off as stiff and inexperienced. The European setting is prettily photographed, but beyond that there is not much of interest on screen.
Wanna see something REALLY pretentious?
hurstwoo29 September 1999
Metzger's porno-existentialist film (or something like that)deals with a family of three, living in a spacious castle, whose comfortable lifestyle is upset by the arrival of a mysterious woman who may or may not be an actress in one of the stag films the husband likes to watch. A woman who may or may not even be real.... But what IS real, anyway...?
Sounds fun, right? Not really. I had the opportunity to see this in a theatre last year (1998). There was nothing but dead silence from the audience all the way through.
Yes, the film is interesting, as all really weird flicks tend to be, but it's also almost unbearably irritating. The acting is clumsy, and the director's painfully obvious desire to make Art (instead of just plain "art") weighs down the whole production. And, good golly, that dialogue: "Your virility is just as illusory as her virginity!"
There's some cool visuals, though. Especially the weird scene in the library wherein the male and female leads make out on the floor, which for some reason is covered with dictionary entries of sexual terms set in large bold type.
Don't you miss the '70s?
Sounds fun, right? Not really. I had the opportunity to see this in a theatre last year (1998). There was nothing but dead silence from the audience all the way through.
Yes, the film is interesting, as all really weird flicks tend to be, but it's also almost unbearably irritating. The acting is clumsy, and the director's painfully obvious desire to make Art (instead of just plain "art") weighs down the whole production. And, good golly, that dialogue: "Your virility is just as illusory as her virginity!"
There's some cool visuals, though. Especially the weird scene in the library wherein the male and female leads make out on the floor, which for some reason is covered with dictionary entries of sexual terms set in large bold type.
Don't you miss the '70s?
A load of rubbish
zeppo-521 December 2011
If you're going to make a soft-porn movie go ahead by all means but don't try to pretend it is cinematic Art because it isn't.
Take away the sex scenes (which aren't so titillating anyway) and you have a film with no plot, no continuity and no comprehensible dialogue to move the story (such as it is) along.
I cannot understand the enthusiasm shown by some of your reviewers. I am not surprised to hear from one of them that he saw the film in a theater where not a sound came from the audience throughout the screening. If I had been in that audience you would have heard my snores --- a suitable accompaniment to what I regret to say is a pretentious load of rubbish.
Take away the sex scenes (which aren't so titillating anyway) and you have a film with no plot, no continuity and no comprehensible dialogue to move the story (such as it is) along.
I cannot understand the enthusiasm shown by some of your reviewers. I am not surprised to hear from one of them that he saw the film in a theater where not a sound came from the audience throughout the screening. If I had been in that audience you would have heard my snores --- a suitable accompaniment to what I regret to say is a pretentious load of rubbish.
Beautiful cinematography and exquisit sensuality, Amazing
filmchap7 August 2003
With the sexual revolution of the 1960's in full swing, along came Euro Erotica master, director Radley Metzger. With films like Therese and Isabelle (1968) and Camille (1969) and his next project The Lickerish Quartet (1970) he's left his directional style of sensuality and erotica, a lavishness imagery with a brilliance for framing the exquisite beauty not just of the actors but as in The Lickerish Quartet especially, the beauty of the location. The sexual power that flows from the gorgeous Silvana Venturelli, not only ignites the screen but burns the very celluloid of the print. This film oozes provocatively forward all the while presenting a playfulness, and free exhibit of the time of the sexual revolution. I have only just discovered this director and have so far seen only four of his movies (this one, Camille 2000, The Private Afternoons of Pamala Man 1975 and The Opening of Misty Beethoven, 1976) The last two movies in this list were the ones Radley Metzger made in the US under the name Henry Paris and where I believe to be his most successful (at the box office) Both were hard versions and the later Misty Beethoven is heavily regarded by filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson the director of Boogie Nights as his favourite Adult movie of all time, I can see many of the same characteristics of this film in The Lickerish Quartet. I myself am doing my final year dissertation on the rise of European Erotica from the late 60's to the late 70's, and the decline of these films after the 80's. With directors such as Radley Metzger and another favourite of mine, José Ramón Larraz (Vampyres, The Coming of Sin) I truly know that I am witnessing the very best that this genre has too offer. My only wish is for these movies and others like them should all receive a screening again today in as many cinemas around the world as possible to reawaken a sensuality that is long dead and dormant in most movies today. This movie captures the time, the feeling, and the energy of this genre and most of all it captured me. Thank you
Nouvelle Vague film from an American Director
ebiros215 October 2012
It's hard for me to rate this movie because I have no reference to what porn or sexploitation film was like in the late 60s. This is definitely not one of those seedy production, but actually a decent dramatic movie.
I understand that the director was born in New York, but the movie has European flavor to it. The world was going through the sexual revolution, and many experimental films were created during this period. What I see in this movie is what the French used to call Nouvelle Vague (New Wave) where the reason for the story takes back seat to the unintelligible vagueness that's supposed to enhance the artistry of the production.
Nouvelle Vague didn't last too long as it didn't gather much following, but there were more than few of this type of movies made by Jean-Luc Godard and Roger Vadim. In fact, the film strongly reminds me of Roger Vadim's style of film making.
I have to give credit to the beauty of this film. The director certainly has eyes for keeping interesting and clean appearance to the picture.
How you rate the story of the movie probably differs widely depending on the audience. I kind of liked it for its modern appearance, and interesting story.
It really took me back in time to experience what it was like to live in the '60s and very early '70s. It will probably do the same to you.
I understand that the director was born in New York, but the movie has European flavor to it. The world was going through the sexual revolution, and many experimental films were created during this period. What I see in this movie is what the French used to call Nouvelle Vague (New Wave) where the reason for the story takes back seat to the unintelligible vagueness that's supposed to enhance the artistry of the production.
Nouvelle Vague didn't last too long as it didn't gather much following, but there were more than few of this type of movies made by Jean-Luc Godard and Roger Vadim. In fact, the film strongly reminds me of Roger Vadim's style of film making.
I have to give credit to the beauty of this film. The director certainly has eyes for keeping interesting and clean appearance to the picture.
How you rate the story of the movie probably differs widely depending on the audience. I kind of liked it for its modern appearance, and interesting story.
It really took me back in time to experience what it was like to live in the '60s and very early '70s. It will probably do the same to you.
One lime
strike-199521 August 2019
Sexual revolution
BandSAboutMovies2 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
When this movie was first released, at the dawn of what would be porn chic, Andy Warhol and Vincent Canby both spoke highly of it. Today, it wouldn't seem so incendiary. In 1970, it was mind blowing.
An adult movie is watched by a wealthy couple played by Frank Wolff (The Great Silence) and Erika Remberg (Cave of the Living Dead) and their son (Paolo Turco, What Have They Done With Your Daughters?). That night, at a carnival, they meet a woman who they think is the actress - it's actually Annie Carol Edel (Crazy Desires of a Murderer) - they've just watched. She's played by Silvana Venturelli and she soon seduces the entire family, forcing them to admit their desires and secrets.
Shot Italian style - a plan to use live sound didn't work out - and with a score by Stelvio Cipriani, this all becomes an exercise in style, like the scene in a library where words are zoomed into and books are thrown. I also am amazed that the girl who may or may not be the actress is willing to spend any time with the son, who seems devoted to magic tricks and telling people his strange myth-based dreams, much less making love to him in a field outside the castle he lives in.
Director Radley Metzger, who wrote the script with Michael DeForrest, this movie just hints at how far things would be taken in the future. As it is, in Pittsburgh, it played at The Guild, a theater in Squirrel Hill that became Gullifty's, another place that is gone.
An adult movie is watched by a wealthy couple played by Frank Wolff (The Great Silence) and Erika Remberg (Cave of the Living Dead) and their son (Paolo Turco, What Have They Done With Your Daughters?). That night, at a carnival, they meet a woman who they think is the actress - it's actually Annie Carol Edel (Crazy Desires of a Murderer) - they've just watched. She's played by Silvana Venturelli and she soon seduces the entire family, forcing them to admit their desires and secrets.
Shot Italian style - a plan to use live sound didn't work out - and with a score by Stelvio Cipriani, this all becomes an exercise in style, like the scene in a library where words are zoomed into and books are thrown. I also am amazed that the girl who may or may not be the actress is willing to spend any time with the son, who seems devoted to magic tricks and telling people his strange myth-based dreams, much less making love to him in a field outside the castle he lives in.
Director Radley Metzger, who wrote the script with Michael DeForrest, this movie just hints at how far things would be taken in the future. As it is, in Pittsburgh, it played at The Guild, a theater in Squirrel Hill that became Gullifty's, another place that is gone.
Dull, soporific 'erotica'
Groverdox30 January 2019
Some rich early '70s sophistos inexplicably stand around an opulent room watching a crappy stag film. The people in the film look attractive enough - too bad it's run through a projector that would have seemed ancient in 1969.
They then go to the circus and watch some motorbike devils ride around. One of the daredevils takes her helmet off and they recognize her from the movie they just watched. She goes back to their castle, if that's what it is, and they watch more of this crappy stag movie, which is silent, black and white, and has lines through the footage. The director also keeps cutting away to the reaction shots of the bloodless rich people watching it.
It's hard to see rich people in '70s fashions standing around luxurious rooms and not expect a black gloved killer to show up. These were giallo's stock in trade.
Ironic that a famous pornographer like Radley Metzger would bore us with this sub-par footage. Half way into the movie, the only sex and nudity in it has been grainy black and white garbage.
The movie finally coughs up some actual nudity at a bit past the halfway point. When I say actual nudity, I mean nudity which isn't in black and white and with distracting lines through it, and with Metzger cutting away all the time to something else.
The movie's middle aged patriarch takes the daredevil into a room in which the floor looks like giant dictionary pages and the room is filled with books. The patriarch says they are all rarities in obscure languages, but they look like obvious props. We then get the two rolling around naked on the floor. The naked girl's body is mostly obscured by the naked middle aged man's. Funny how a noted pornographer finds so many ways to hide his product.
Predictably, the daredevil then hooks up with the family's son, who also shows full frontal nudity. This left me wondering why they showed the ugly middle aged patriarch nude at all. Who the hell wants to see that?
There's also a dalliance with the wife.
This movie did absolutely nothing for me. It wasn't erotic in the least, and nor was it interesting. It seemed to be going for a kind of dreamlike atmosphere with footage of the stag film intercut over footage of these rich types and their daredevil, but I just didn't care about it at all. The only thing I liked about this movie was the locations, which did look impressive.
They then go to the circus and watch some motorbike devils ride around. One of the daredevils takes her helmet off and they recognize her from the movie they just watched. She goes back to their castle, if that's what it is, and they watch more of this crappy stag movie, which is silent, black and white, and has lines through the footage. The director also keeps cutting away to the reaction shots of the bloodless rich people watching it.
It's hard to see rich people in '70s fashions standing around luxurious rooms and not expect a black gloved killer to show up. These were giallo's stock in trade.
Ironic that a famous pornographer like Radley Metzger would bore us with this sub-par footage. Half way into the movie, the only sex and nudity in it has been grainy black and white garbage.
The movie finally coughs up some actual nudity at a bit past the halfway point. When I say actual nudity, I mean nudity which isn't in black and white and with distracting lines through it, and with Metzger cutting away all the time to something else.
The movie's middle aged patriarch takes the daredevil into a room in which the floor looks like giant dictionary pages and the room is filled with books. The patriarch says they are all rarities in obscure languages, but they look like obvious props. We then get the two rolling around naked on the floor. The naked girl's body is mostly obscured by the naked middle aged man's. Funny how a noted pornographer finds so many ways to hide his product.
Predictably, the daredevil then hooks up with the family's son, who also shows full frontal nudity. This left me wondering why they showed the ugly middle aged patriarch nude at all. Who the hell wants to see that?
There's also a dalliance with the wife.
This movie did absolutely nothing for me. It wasn't erotic in the least, and nor was it interesting. It seemed to be going for a kind of dreamlike atmosphere with footage of the stag film intercut over footage of these rich types and their daredevil, but I just didn't care about it at all. The only thing I liked about this movie was the locations, which did look impressive.
Good Film?
bubblegumyums6513 July 2004
This movie left me confused at times. This is one of those movies with confusing endings. If you watch this film, watch very closely, because if you're going to forward throughout the whole thing, then you miss out. There is some nudity in the film and brief frontal nudity. I wouldn't say there is real "sex" in the film, so don't get confused by what you read about the film. I hope this helps you understand a little about this film. I'll give it 7/10 for the little things in the movie(you'll see what I mean by watching it).
Who changed the film?
nogodnomasters5 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
A couple who live in a castle watch a grainy black and white stag film with their son. They go to a carnival where the see the woman in the film wide a motorcycle inside a barrel. They invite her back to the castle, but when they show her film, there is a different person in it. She spends the night and the next day satisfies each on them individually and then we have a great Twilight Zone ending.
Yes I liked the ending. I didn't mind all the nudity it took to get there, it was just that it was repetitious and grew boring.
Yes I liked the ending. I didn't mind all the nudity it took to get there, it was just that it was repetitious and grew boring.
Just one reason to watch
bigtrain4512 December 2005
The plot is kind of silly, and the flashbacks to WWII make no real sense. But Silvana Venturelli is lovely, stunning, coy, flirtatious, and relentlessly hot. She is the only real reason to watch this movie, so, enjoy. The so-called plot involves a husband, wife and adult son watching a cheap porno at home one night and all becoming fascinated with the hot female star (Venturelli.) The next night (apparently) they go to a local circus and see a girl who looks just like the star riding a motorcycle around the wall of death. Except that she is brunette while the star of the film is blonde. They invite her back to their mansion where she pulls off her dark wig and all sorts of fun ensues. The acting, writing, and plot are lame, but it's all worth the trouble for the scene in the library. Enjoy.
Life - or f(r)iction?
kosmasp1 June 2020
You may wonder what does a movie about another movie have to offer? No pun intended and some may even say the movie within the movie is not even a movie. Now before it gets too complicated or I may have to delve into specifics, let me give just the essentials. A family (father, mother and son - not as religious as you may think, although who am I to say?) watches an adult film together. Now that may sound weird and quite crazy ... and it is.
It also opens up quite the windows into their souls and their ideals. Now there is a lot under the surface (and skin) ... some may be obvious, some may not be. The director even to this day does not seem willing to tell us or give us certain answers, which leaves a lot up to interpretation. Nudity is there but it is not really going to stimulate you - probably. Then again, I am not one to tell what will get some going. You cannot be having issues with bare flesh of course. If you have issues with that (not judging), just don't watch. There is a really good drama that you'll miss, that may be annoying at times, but still is worthwhile. More to it, than one may think - not as naked and bare as I thought then
It also opens up quite the windows into their souls and their ideals. Now there is a lot under the surface (and skin) ... some may be obvious, some may not be. The director even to this day does not seem willing to tell us or give us certain answers, which leaves a lot up to interpretation. Nudity is there but it is not really going to stimulate you - probably. Then again, I am not one to tell what will get some going. You cannot be having issues with bare flesh of course. If you have issues with that (not judging), just don't watch. There is a really good drama that you'll miss, that may be annoying at times, but still is worthwhile. More to it, than one may think - not as naked and bare as I thought then
a charming, arty, thinking bit of erotica
rjnagle29 November 1999
This was one of the films that brought Radley Metzger to the forefront of mainstream erotic films. The narrative is interesting and full of tricks. It uses flashbacks, pseudoflashbacks and multiple perspectives. Yes, it's a bit pretentious, but the plot keeps you watching. And how about that library scene? I laughed aloud when I saw it, being comfortably ensconsed in an apartment full of many books I haven't read either. Maybe what I need is a mistress to sweep everything away like that!!
A smart and sensual 60's soft-core treat
Woodyanders12 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
A jaded rich couple and their bored son (a solid performance by Paolo Turco) watch a stag film in the screening room of their castle abode. The son becomes smitten with a carnival daredevil (a supremely seductive and mysterious portrayal by beautiful blonde Silvana Venturelli) who looks just like the star of the stag film.
Director Radley Metzger not only does his customary ace job of crafting an intoxicating dreamy, playful, and erotic atmosphere, but also handles the enjoyable premise with his trademark enchanting sophistication and makes fine use of the opulent castle main location. Michael DeForrest's crafty script cleverly explores the provocative themes of false identities, lies people tell each other in order to keep a relationship working throughout the years, and, most of all, the way the slight subtle line separating illusion and reality can be easily blurred. Moreover, it's acted with zest by an enthusiastic cast, with Frank Wolff a particular stand-out with his deliciously obnoxious turn as the smarmy father. The gorgeous vibrant color cinematography by Hans Jura provides a wealth of stunning visuals. Stelvio Cipriani's right-on groovy score hits the harmonic spot. Sly stuff.
Director Radley Metzger not only does his customary ace job of crafting an intoxicating dreamy, playful, and erotic atmosphere, but also handles the enjoyable premise with his trademark enchanting sophistication and makes fine use of the opulent castle main location. Michael DeForrest's crafty script cleverly explores the provocative themes of false identities, lies people tell each other in order to keep a relationship working throughout the years, and, most of all, the way the slight subtle line separating illusion and reality can be easily blurred. Moreover, it's acted with zest by an enthusiastic cast, with Frank Wolff a particular stand-out with his deliciously obnoxious turn as the smarmy father. The gorgeous vibrant color cinematography by Hans Jura provides a wealth of stunning visuals. Stelvio Cipriani's right-on groovy score hits the harmonic spot. Sly stuff.
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