SWEDEN (1969) US (1972)
REVIEWED BY-STEVE GENIER DIRECTED BY-JOSEPH SARNO CAST-MARIE LILJEDAHL, LENNART LINDBERG, LISSI ALANDHI, TOMMY BLOM, LEENART MORBACK, HARRIET AYRES and INGER SUNDH. SOURCE-EI/SEDUCTION CINEMA (RETRO) R1 NTSC DVD (2004)
In the year 1968 American exploitation director Joe Sarno began to direct a series of films made in Sweden. The first being what could be his most popular to date HEEMER aka INGA and with it came the stunning discovery of a ballet school student turning actor, the very young, the very innocent but extremely erotic, Marie Liljedahl. She along with the film were an instant hit and warranted a sequel. Hence the birth of INGA 2 ('69), which would be finally released in the US in 1972 under the title THE SEDUCTION OF INGA. With sex scenes added to appease the tough America exploitation film goers. Scenes that were not directed or even associated with Sarno at all. At any rate, Marie Liledahl reprises her role of the much older Inga who is left to her devises by her lover, the very same one who she take from her older sister in INGA. Alone and jobless, Inga decides that she must go on with her life regardless of never seeing him again. As she is writing one night she is disturbed by the singing and guitar playing of a young musician (Rolf) who borders in a apartment close to her.
She decides to confront him about the noise, and Rolf at first glance is taken by her beauty. Though Inga wants nothing to do with him at first, their relationship soon develops into something that ultimately affects the films ending. First she is confronted by Lothar, who is the very same guy in the first INGA who tries to rape her without luck. In this film he seems to want to help her as he knows she is going through a tough time without her boyfriend being around and no money. He hooks her up with a close friend, Stig. A much older man and one of wealth, decides to employ her services. He’s writing a book and needs her to take notes in the process. Of course there is a much deeper meaning in his employing Inga. Inga falls in love with him as their working relationship becomes much more.
Throughout this period Rolf tries his hardest to get her to notice him and his musical talent. Inviting her to a club that he and his band play at, though she has no interest in doing so. Then without warning Stig must fly to New York to meet up with his publicist and must leave Inga for awhile. This is when the film takes a turn for something different. The almost non-existent relationship between Inga and Rolf begins to flourish. Of course that comes at a cost as slowly some truths begin to leak out. Stig’s former lover, Greta takes notice of Inga and what she is wearing while at the club where Rolf’s band plays. Once Inga finally returns to Stig’s home, she is followed and finally encountered by Greta. There Greta tells her all the secrets in which Stig has kept from her. In denial, she decides to find out for herself. As the time arises, she does indeed learn more then she bargained for.
Though this is my first adventure into any of Joseph Sarno’s films, I must say I think I have had a very positive start. After viewing the entire Seduction Cinema DVD, I have learned quite a lot about this director and his films. THE SEDUCTION OF INGA was and is something of a center point in his career which started in the early 60's and ended in the early 80's. Though he has recently been recruited by Seduction out of retirement to directed the soon to be released LUST FOR LAURA, which should be very interesting simply to see if he still has the touch for this genre. Back to INGA though, I was quite captivated not only by the beauty of actress Marie Liljedahl, but also with her ability to act as well. Not steep in content story wise, she still is able to create this seductive hold on the viewer and yet she looks like she hardly has to work at it. Her looks are of purity, but her actions of course are far from that in every way. Still, Sarno knew this especially after dealing with her in the first INGA (‘68), and he decided to exploit this, not in a negative way either.
The US Grindhouse version of THE SEDUCTION OF INGA includes some sex scenes that would suggest she (Marie) went a lot further, but not so. Those scenes were filmed afterwards and of course with another girl all together and to furthering, they weren’t even directed or associated with Joseph Sarno in anyway. Still, they are scene solely to attract the often very though to please American exploitation film goers. The Seduction Cinema limited DVD offer both versions for you to decide on. Myself, I did prefer the atmosphere of the original, but found some redeeming values in the grindhouse version as well. Those being the presentation of in wide-screen, cleaned up quite good as well. I was sad to see that the original version was in fullscreeen and had little attention paid to it in terms of print re-mastering, it was still very rough. That aside, the DVD is still very much a great addition to anyone’s collection who follows Sarno’s career. It has quite a lot to offer as the extras are in abundance here.
First off, it is limited to only 20,000 units and is a double disc edition. The first disc includes the original never before seen in the US (European) version of INGA 2, like I mentioned above, the print is rough but still very good to watch, which has been taken from the original 35mm film print. After the feature there is a very in-depth feature called INNOCENCE LOST-The Story Of Inga. Here we are caught up with present day actress Marie Liljedahl, who has aged but you can still recognize her with ease. Also both Joseph Sarno and his wife and producer Peggy Sarno discuss the making of both INGA’S as well as actress Marie Liljedahl. The feature runs for about 20 minutes and is quite informative. Next there is another feature with INGA’S producer Vernon P. Becker called "MEMORIES OF INGA" which is pretty much his take on the whole scene in which INGA was made. It runs for about 10 minutes and features snippets from the films and a voice-over from Becker himself. After that Seduction Cinema put together a music video of sorts to compliment the them music to INGA, a theme in which was written and performed by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus who would later become the all male half to Swedish pop icons Abba. The them is simply entitled "INGA’S THEME".
The second disc offers yet even more goodies to feast your eyes on. The first feature is the US "grindhouse" cut of INGA which is presented in wide-screen. Of course all the added sex scenes are present as well. The second feature is another Sarno film entitled "THE INDELICATE BALANCE (1969)", a film which starts off with a black and white scene that echoes something out of a Hitchcock film with a little Kubrick treatment. Sadly the rest of the film is pretty much a borefest, but is yet good for at least a viewing. A son returns home after leaving 4 years ago only to pick up where he left off, having an affair with his own mother. It also shows the direct affects it has on his other siblings as well as his new wife. The film includes commentary by Peggy Sarno and Gary Higgins. Also included on the second disc is trailers from several of Joe Sarno’s films including SWEDISH WILDCATS, BUTTERFLY and of course three trailers for both INGA’S. The disc also has a great booklet that discusses the INGA films in great depth. This is certainly one DVD to invest in if you already haven’t. This could possibly be their best DVD to date by far, certainly their most complete.
STORY-3 BITCH SLAPS PICTURE- (ORIGINAL) 2.5 BITCH SLAPS (GRINDHOUSE VERSION) 3.5 BITCH SLAPS AUDIO- (ORIGINAL) 2.5 BITCH SLAPS (GRINDHOUSE VERSION) 3 BITCH SLAPS EXTRAS-4.5 BITCH SLAPS OVERALL DVD-4 BITCH SLAPS For more info on this DVD and more, visit Seduction Cinema.
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