"H2S" was never released outside Italy. Rarely seen since its original Cinema release in 1968 this surreal futuristic comedy drama is directed by Roberto Faenza whose inspirations from his art college days are clearly displayed here. Student revolts in a futuristic scientific university see an unusual role for the American actor Lionel Stander,who had previously been cast as the barman in Sergio Leone's "Cera una volta il West"(1968) The story is a puzzling one- it begins in London,England where students are controlled by a dictatorship Government where sex is outlawed.The film was supposed to have been banned in Italy and destroyed,but do they really do that to films these days? Nonetheless,the set designs are truly stunning,especially the second half of the film where the runaway lovers end up living in the Italian mountains in a colourful 'funked-up' igloo! But the film is so slow and bemusing blending political statements with sci-fi which was to emerge as a popular genre in the US. The musical score by Ennio Morricone is superb. But why did he save his finest work for such a rarely seen film? With its wholesome mixture of classical send-ups,cajun compositions,"Red Tent"-style icy ghostly chorals and futuristic burps.The soundtrack has never been issued complete but a number of themes appear on compilations including the cue 'Luna Canadese'with an amazing Edda voice,beautiful choir and solo guitar - it is one of the composers best pieces of 60s music- and is completely wasted on this film. The main theme is a comical one and Morricone in fact does use this in some of his live concerts. But,for lovers of Italian 60s Cinema and particularly the Director who stunned us with great images in "Escalation"(1967) where an Italian Student comes to London England and enjoys hippy life, the film "H2S" Can still be classed as a hidden Italian masterpiece. Running Time:85 Minutes. Distributor: Paramount Pictures. Please note this film has never been shown on TV anywhere, the film was seen in an Italian Film Archive.
2 Reviews
Apparently barely-released sci-fi fantasy whatsit
ofumalow31 August 2023
This movie was apparently barely released, then forgotten, and has been basically inaccessible for decades. There were a lot of misfired experiments in its era, but god knows this is hardly among the worst of them-or even the least commercial.
But then, it's also one of those movies that seems almost entirely to have been created for the sake of its set design, rather than the other way around. There's not much to the script, beyond a familiar bare outline (moderately rebellious individual rebels against controlling society), and the point is vague because the satire (or whatever) is so subservient to the visual design. Nonetheless, the visual invention (plus an interesting Ennio Morricone score) is enough to hold your attention. Most of the interiors (and even some exteriors) are almost entirely white-on-white, with an op-art feel amplified by costume and sculpture elements.
You can see why the young male British lead didn't have a major career (he's effortful without being very appealing), Lionel Stander is OK as his chief tormentor, and the only other actor to make an impression is Carol Andre as a somewhat crazy young woman the hero shacks up with (in makeshift igloo) after fleeing the oppressive society, and before returning to it.
There are some moments that anticipate aspects of "THX-1139" and "A Clockwork Orange," although of course without the stronger narrative or guiding directorial visions of either. What does it all mean? Not a lot, I'd guess. But "H2S" is still one fo those films whose indulgence and eccentricity couldn't have happened at any other time, and if you keep your expectations modest, it's a rather enjoyable curio-lively enough not to be just a failed experiment, even if the humor that leavens it isn't necessarily its strongest point. I'm giving it a six, which is a little generous, but a five would seem too stingy.
But then, it's also one of those movies that seems almost entirely to have been created for the sake of its set design, rather than the other way around. There's not much to the script, beyond a familiar bare outline (moderately rebellious individual rebels against controlling society), and the point is vague because the satire (or whatever) is so subservient to the visual design. Nonetheless, the visual invention (plus an interesting Ennio Morricone score) is enough to hold your attention. Most of the interiors (and even some exteriors) are almost entirely white-on-white, with an op-art feel amplified by costume and sculpture elements.
You can see why the young male British lead didn't have a major career (he's effortful without being very appealing), Lionel Stander is OK as his chief tormentor, and the only other actor to make an impression is Carol Andre as a somewhat crazy young woman the hero shacks up with (in makeshift igloo) after fleeing the oppressive society, and before returning to it.
There are some moments that anticipate aspects of "THX-1139" and "A Clockwork Orange," although of course without the stronger narrative or guiding directorial visions of either. What does it all mean? Not a lot, I'd guess. But "H2S" is still one fo those films whose indulgence and eccentricity couldn't have happened at any other time, and if you keep your expectations modest, it's a rather enjoyable curio-lively enough not to be just a failed experiment, even if the humor that leavens it isn't necessarily its strongest point. I'm giving it a six, which is a little generous, but a five would seem too stingy.
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