Inagural release from Heretic Films has them bringing over controversial director Nigel Wingrove's 1999 effort to North America and it's a mix of erotica (which is deemed un-erotic for the most part due to the way it's staged and the subject) and religious themed horror/angst which is certainly interesting but suffers from Wingrove's script rambling on a bit too much, throwing out lots of viewpoints (some of which are conveyed by the narration) and eventually losing it's "point" at the end.

The basic story has nun Sally Tremaine being drawn-in by her carnal desires by images of Mary Magdalen and a "death nun" (a pretty cool skull-faced nun) which is played out by showing her fellow nuns falling victim to sins of the flesh (the aforementioned "erotica" scenes that has plentyful lesbian "bonding" and anti-religious imagery). It's an internal struggle that's only heightened by the arrival of a high-up priest, who's there to sort it all out.

Wingrove's prior film, Visions Of Ecstacy, was banned in his home country for "blasphemy", and having never seen it I can't tell you if it deserved it; but judging by Sacred Flesh it's easy to see why some in the religious community may have taken it to task - but you can't deny that at least this film tackles a subject without glossing it over.

The problem though is Wingrove's tendency to let his script get in the way of actual plot as there's really not much of it here and most of the characters are throw-away (what exactly is the point of the stable boy and the girl he's messing around with?). Still; this sports a good visual sense, has above average acting and makes for sometimes thought provoking viewing at least.

Visit Heretic Films for more information and to order. (Chris Hartley, 4/18/04)

Directed By: Nigel Wingrove.
Written By: Nigel Wingrove.

Starring: Sally Tremaine, Moyna Cope, Simon Hill, Kristine Bill.

Picture Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen.

Picture Quality: Heretic brings the movie to us in a crisp, above average transfer that looks just great.

Extras: A lot of the extras here are totally disposable (mostly because they don't show much in the way of depth) with a teaser trailer, trailer, publicity art, CD art (from the soundtrack), stills, storyboards, behind-the-scenes still and finally a listenable commentary track.