MYSTIQUE (1979)

One of Roberta Findlay's lesser known works, but just as unique and interesting as her more popular hits. This marked a collaboration with equally talented scribe Roger Watkins. Having spoken to both filmmakers about this film (in the case of Watkins, shortly before his unexpected passing), their views are quite different: Roberta was surprised I raved about the film, as she sort of wrote it off as a misfire, but was very enthusiastic about the script (she forgot who wrote it), and Watkins was still bitter after all these years that his name was left off the film and claims Roberta appropriated credit from him! Georgina Spelvin stars as Alma, a terminally ill photographer who retires to a secluded Fire Island bungalow. She encounters Cosima (Samantha Fox), a mysterious creature who emerges from the mists of the shore to change her life forever. Roberta's always-splendid photography, especially in an evocative tableau of a beach resembling the end of the world, and Watkins' classical music motif highlighting a poetic treatment of a woman's final days are a match made in heaven. My copy is in poor condition, but this is one that really surprised me and will doubtlessly do the same for you if you can find it!

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Roberta
• Findlay
• Roger
• Watkins
• Georgina
• Spelvin
• Samantha
• Fox
• classic
• adult
• sexploitation
• exploitation

[castletriglav]

Roberta churned out the worst horror films I've ever seen, Even Fangoria raked her over the coals when they interviewed her. Her films went straight to video. I was on the floor laughing my ass off during "Lurkers".

How this untalented woman ever got funding, I'll never understand.

She's Ed Wood, without the skill and panache.

[joplinfantasy]

@castletriglav That's definitely not true. Roberta was one of the best cinematographers in adult cinema. It seems to be a given that when an adult filmmaker goes mainstream, their R-rated work pales in comparison to their X-rated work. Have you seen Chuck Vincent and Armand Weston's horror films? Yikes... No, Roberta is definitely not Ed Wood without the skill and panache.

[AkiraF]

Thanks for posting. I haven't seen this since the screening Roberta and Walter had for me before I did the Poster and Ad-Mats. I forgot she used my title type from the poster as the opening title on the film. I met Samantha on the photo shoot and she was very nice but was having back problems at the time. On the poster it is Samantha standing nude with the same cloak, in the film, as well as the reclining figure below.

[joplinfantasy]

Wow, thanks for posting your comment! I love the poster for this film and always wondered who was responsible for that iconic image of Samantha nude under the cloak.

[rayssonation]

this was when PORN was good PORN not like the crap that has ruined adult films today which is nothing but shit!!! Where else you'll see Georgina Spelvin and Samantha Fox in one picture!

[gorsian1979]

This Film seems to be older than that seems to be made in 1964 real 1960's films 1970's real films like Aliens 1979

[mondocaneman]

Is this on DVD? someone tell me here??

[AkiraF]

I had to cut out both figures and paste them on a red airbrushed background. The original backdrop was too washed out. If you look carefully you will see that her bellybutton is painted on that poster and I had to airbrush out her naked backside on the reclining figure to make it more tasteful. Simple but I was proud of the results.

[stringsrichie]

these are the the movies when porn was great,not like todays shitty porn...the women today arent even hot...in the porn industry.

[kel69zoe]

sounds good

any more of this film anywhere

k