Star of David: Beauty Hunting (1979)

Wonderful character development!

Strictly average movie

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Norifumi Suzuki, legendary director of 70's pink films has fashioned his most shocking and controversial film in "Star of David: Beauty Hunting". Dealing with every inflammatory subject conceivable; rape, incest, bestiality, necrophilia, but somehow the film never for a moment looks ugly, or cheap for that matter. Suzuki is a genius indeed to film such horrors and make them look stylish and elegant. The story is evil and hypnotic as well; the child of rape who grows up to inherit the twisted traits of his genetic father, a man who brutally raped his mother and destroyed so many lives as a result. For the woman is raped in front of her new husband, who grows to despise her, as in typical fashion for movies of this genre, the woman appears to enjoy being violated! She becomes pregnant as a result of the rape, and gives birth to a son, equally hated and abused by his surrogate dad. The boy is exposed to violence and sexual perversions at a young age, which adds to his already twisted psyche. And he is made familiar with death when his tortured mother eventually commits suicide. The seeds of hate have been planted, and at the age of 20 he inherits a sprawling estate, when his father dies in a mysterious boating accident. Now in a position of great wealth and power, he is able to live out his most depraved fantasies. Girls are kidnapped and taken to a bizarre torture chamber in the cellar of the house. But the story has deeper meanings behind all the excessive sex and torture. Symbolic attacks on capitalism, family 'values', and religion are all explored in an intelligent way. A famous pop singer is kidnapped and humiliated, and is less upset at being brutalized than she is of finding that her song has dropped from the charts. And a pious schoolgirl, a virgin, but secretly addicted to masturbation, is exposed, broken, and remodeled into a somehow healthier, happier person, when the constraints of society are lifted, and she can be a sexual person at last. Here is Suzuki's most adult oriented feature, a horrifying vision, but with very intelligent jet black comic overtones. I felt guilty for laughing when the whip is placed in the hand of the singers assistant, as she goes wild at finally having the upper hand in a society that dictates that she should be on a lower level, because of beauty standards, or money. She savagely beats the arrogant pop singer, and forces her to repeat, 'I am a dark pig!' Make no mistake about 'Star of David', as it is a film of superior quality and beauty. This is not 'Guts of a Virgin' type trash, and not nearly as sickening and juvenile. In fact there is really not much actual gore here at all, other than a gruesome stab to the heart scene, and a couple other short scenes. In fact, the blood draining scene in Suzuki's 'Terrifying Girls High School' is more extreme than what is shown here. And this lends yet another layer of class to this production. The real terror is of the psychological kind. Not to say this film is not loaded with disturbing imagery, the scene involving a German Shephard being especially offensive. Those familiar with Suzuki's work will recognize his unique style here; his masterful use of color and camera angles, as well as attention to detail. The final scenes in a flower garden are especially beautiful, and a sex scene at the films climax comes across as romantic, even though it involves a brother and sister! 'Star of David' is one of the most infamous 'pink films' of all time, and for good reason. Highly recommended to viewers with open minds, and for those looking to venture out of the main stream.

The comment I read on the main page was very detailed, so I'll keep it brief. I agree with all the sentiments stated.This film is unusually well done, with surprisingly good acting for the genre. In particular the scene of the girl realizing her sadistic side and whipping her female former boss (who was a total bitch to her). It may be somewhat subtle, but her facial expressions (and look in her eyes especially)... very convincing and definitely seems as she enjoys herself. Highly recommended, even if for this scene alone. At times it does move a little slowly, but I've watched it several times and can't say have ever found it to be boring. Of course you have to enjoy this genre. Overall one of the best of it's kind.

This is a well made beautiful film about the kidnap and torture of women. Its great to look at but I have yet to determine why I should want to watch it. Don't get me wrong it has nothing to do with refined sensibilities, I can enjoy twisted exploitation as well as anyone, but there's simply something wrong.I think the problem with it is that its rather a dull movie. Terrible things happen to good looking woman...and thats about it. There is some attempt at character, but its not all that interesting. Its as if its trying to be more than the bondage porno it is.I had been drawn to the film when I had read several articles that mentioned its bad reputation, so when I found a cheap copy I figured I'd give it a try. Perhaps back in 1979 it was something, but today with these jaded eyes its unremarkable. I've seen films of every sort and this one didn't strike as much of anything.Will you find it offensive? If naked tortured women offends you, or you have stayed in the mainstream in your tastes, you probably will be offended or made uncomfortable, but for anyone else, this is probably going to bore you much more than it will shock or excite you. It has not lived up to its reputation.

I heard about this film on the "cult film" message board of IMDB and, on his dare, ordered the video through WitchingHour Video.How can one fairly review this trash? For what it is, the photography is well-done such that I was surprised the film was made in 1979 and not more recently. The plot has something to do about a notorious rapist/kidnapper father begatting a son to one of his rape victims, a son who grows up to be like his father (at film's end, they team up). Of course, the rape victim/mother of this son is flogged by her husband in the nude for several minutes when she tells him the rapist impregnated her and begs him not to strike her belly (which he does). Overall, as if plot was relevant, I thought it tried to imply that there's a "rape" gene that can be passed from father to son -- not just any rape gene, but one that causes its bearer to commit acts of ultra-violent depravity: prolonged rape, sexual torture, bondage, bestiality, caging women and everything under the sun (female masturbation and urination scenes are here too, although it's all exaggerated). Each scene seems carefully planned by the director (unusual in Western adult films). Some scenes are more realistic than others. A depraved filmmaker, this guy Noriyumi Suzuki. Japanese males must really be misogynistic that it could be made and distributed. School-age girls and even the rapist's sister aren't spared (although the sister, in a bizarre twist, doesn't find it at all offensive and turns on her co-captive -- so there goes the "gene" theory, unless she was a twin). Something in the story about hidden sexual desires in females, regardless of age or relation. About two hours of bondage, simulated sex and sexual torture, attractive and capable and surprisingly buxom Japanese actresses (acting defined as mostly physical bumping and grinding and hanging from ropes; oh, and some begging then being killed, others begging then submitting and later killed; Russ Meyer would be proud of the talent here). Comparable to Texas Chain Saw Massacre but with a prurient sexual theme. Oh, a pretty realistic, albeit simulated, bestiality scene is thrown in. The pacing from one depravity scene to the next is impressive; must have had a large budget; true, there is little story development in-between. Pretty graphic stuff, even if it is simulated.Strange values, these Japanese film authorities: no male frontal nudity, no graphic penetration scenes but lots of the most realistic, prolonged simulated rape/torture scenes I've ever heard of. Still, if America allowed its distribution, it would be X-rated for its content alone and the realism of the "simulations" of murder and rape and degradation of the women... One could easily conclude that nothing like this could ever be made in a more civilized country that actually respected its mothers, sisters, and female children. I guess they call it "free expression."More pornographic than what passes for "XXX" here, even though it is all simulated. Not a "date" movie. I can see only envision that hard up guys who blame females for their dating ineptitude and wish to vent on them, similarly-depraved minds and misguided liberals (an oxymoron) will champion this one.