Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #130369 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-05-10
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: Japanese
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 71 minutes

Customer Reviews

Pink poltics
'Wife' is one of the best examples of the Japanese Film Industry's notorious pink films made in 1974 by Nikkatsu Studios. Starring the Queen of Japanese SM Naomi Tani, 'Wife' is the story of an abducted woman who overpowers her abusive husband by succumbing to the pleasures of masochism. The film articulates a social commentary through the depiction of graphic SM scenes that fuction as a metaphor for gender relations in Japanese society. The underlying theme of the movie is to suggest that there is an impossibility of romantic love between japanese men and women and that sadism and masochism are possibly alternative forms of love than those of social obligation or the reani kekkon (Love marriages). The film asks us (well the japanese of 1974) to take a closer look at our realtionships to each other and roles within society which may be in itself the bigger of SM relationship than that of the personal one depicted in the pink film. Overall its a gruelling film to watch but Pasolini's SALO was never intended to be fun entertainment either. The amazon video tape reviewed here is a quality transfer from the original uncensored Japanese 35mm print which retains the crystalline cinematography and minimal soundtrack. The film is subtitled which is required for an artistic film with such a rare tension between cruelty and beauty.

Freedom is slavery
Oh Naomi, how many times must you be bound, tortured and forced before you realize how much you love it? Apparently many, many times.

Naomi Tani, taking her name from the classic Junichiro Tanizaki novel "Naomi," made her career in the Nikkatsu Studios notorious "pink" SM films. This woman has probably been tied up and beaten more than anyone else alive. If you have the stomach for this sort of thing, then "Wife to be Sacrificed" ("Ikenie fujin") is one of the best of the genre.

Kunisada's wife, Akiko (Naomi Tani), left him three years ago due to his violent temper. Kunisada has bided his time, until he could reclaim what is his. Kidnapping her, he takes her to a hidden cabin where he subjects her to a variety of humiliations, slowly breaking her will until she realizes that true love lies in abject submission to her husband. Along the way, they take in another couple, a failed double-suicide, and try to share their new found wisdom.

The style of "Wife to be Sacrificed," along with the performances of the actors, is what sets it apart from other films with similar plots. It is almost artistic in its pursuit of the boundaries of submission and love, taking itself very seriously. The eroticism is subdued, and is never explicit. While there is nudity, it is nothing even approaching "hardcore."

Definitely not everyone's cup of tea, and there is more than enough here to offend, but if you like a bit of well-done SM, then "Wife to be Sacrificed" is for you.

Most Interesting
I watched this movie as I was getting ready for work and to say the least, I was almost late for work.

The primary actors in the film are some sick puppies (smile). Both the characters of the wife and the husband are in dire need of professional mental health. I guess I could say the same for the director of the film and myself for watching it. The bathroom scenes where outrageous.

In reality, not a film for those with weak stomachs. The acting was outstanding but some of the subject matter......

Good to have in the DVD collection but not a film for anyone not used to Japanese pink films.

Note: I am so glad that they did not show any (disgusting) scenes with the little (cute) Japanese girl. If they had done that I would have disposed of the DVD.