Emanuelle in Bangkok (1976, Review)
aka Emanuelle nera: Orient reportage
Director: Joe D’Amato
Cast: Laura Gemser, Ivan Rassimov, Gabriele Tinti, Debra Berger
Severin Films / Color / Unrated / NTSC R1 / Widescreen 1.85:1 (Anamorphic) / ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Mono & ITALIAN: Dolby Digital Mono / ENGLISH Subtitles / 92 minutes / Purchase @ DiabolikDVD.com
In the further sexploits of our favorite photojournalist, Emanuelle (Laura Gemser), we find her heading to Thailand with archaeologist Roberto (real-life husband Gabriele Tinti) to photograph the King. She meets up with her contact, Prince Sanit and is soon embroiled in sexual hi-jinks and international conspiracies as Sanit plans on overthrowing the King.
Emanuelle’s hotel room is ransacked and robbed and shortly after she is attacked and raped by the Kings men. The men are lead by a man she noticed following her earlier and he warns her to leave the country before she is killed. But her passport has been stolen. What ever will she do? Oh yeah, have sex to get what she wants! DER!
She and Roberto escape to Casablanca where Emanuelle befriends the American Consul’s daughter Debra. Soon Roberto falls in love with Englishwoman Janet who, after being sexually liberated by our ever-so-sexy heroine, falls in love with Debra (WHOOPS!). Of course this doesn’t sit well with Robert. How do we, as viewers know this? And I quote, “God, I hate lezzies!” – Roberto.
This is another of Joe D’Amato‘s contributions to the “Black Emanuelle” series and of course, I loved it. There is the obligatory orgy of flesh (sometimes literally), rapes and blessed chessiness, but this one also offers such Thai delights as cobra vs. mongoose and cock-fighting. But probably the most shocking scene has to do with ping-pong balls. That’s all I will say about that.
As in most of the other “Black Emanuelle” titles, the filmmaker takes us on beautiful sight-seeing trips with the camera in whatever country Emanuelle is in. This one is no exception. I love that about this series. I have not yet seen the original Black Emanuelle but from what I understand it too was located in Bangkok. Gemser’s exotic look fits so well with the scenery and D’Amato knows just how to use her. God bless whoever thought of the Gemser/D’Amato connection! Lastly, take note of the first love scene as Emanuelle and Roberto have sex on a ship as the ships turbines and cylinders pump away. Hilariously cheesy 70′s sex.
