I have always treasured fond memories of the EMMANUELLE series (offical entries and otherwise) from my movie-going days before hardcore pornography became legally available in my native country of Belgium. Unfortunately, this third installment is by far the weakest of the lot. The story is tired and largely devoid of interest, picking up lazily where part 2 left off with yet more trials and tribulations from the open marriage shared by Emmanuelle and Jean. Pretty pictures of the Seychelles will make you long for your next summer holiday but Serge Gainsbourg's repetitive soundtrack, consisting of two (count 'em!) endlessly rehashed theme tunes, will have you throwing any object within immediate reach at the telly by the halfway point.
Thankfully, Dutch goddess Sylvia Kristel was still around to essay the title character, dropping her already skimpy wardrobe at the slightest urging. She's the main reason why I still watch whenever this one pops up on late night TV, along with the pleasingly undraped appearances by the late Olga Georges-Picot – who, sadly, chose to end her own life as years progressed and fading beauty presumably left her unemployed – and Charlotte Alexandra who played the title role in Catherine Breillat's sulfurous UNE VRAIE JEUNE FILLE.
Unless you're a completist (in which case you may need professional help as much as, well, I do), stick to the original and its glossy first sequel or parts 4 (featuring hymen restoration in Brazil long before this became a medical possibility), 6 (scripted by Jean Rollin, so you know proceedings are going to get pretty screwy) or the elusive virtual reality themed 7 with Kristel returning and even dressing up as a nun – perhaps inspired by BLACK EMANUELLE Laura Gemser's similar travesty in Giuseppe Vari's SISTER EMANUELLE ? – for the film's unforgettable final scene !
Thankfully, Dutch goddess Sylvia Kristel was still around to essay the title character, dropping her already skimpy wardrobe at the slightest urging. She's the main reason why I still watch whenever this one pops up on late night TV, along with the pleasingly undraped appearances by the late Olga Georges-Picot – who, sadly, chose to end her own life as years progressed and fading beauty presumably left her unemployed – and Charlotte Alexandra who played the title role in Catherine Breillat's sulfurous UNE VRAIE JEUNE FILLE.
Unless you're a completist (in which case you may need professional help as much as, well, I do), stick to the original and its glossy first sequel or parts 4 (featuring hymen restoration in Brazil long before this became a medical possibility), 6 (scripted by Jean Rollin, so you know proceedings are going to get pretty screwy) or the elusive virtual reality themed 7 with Kristel returning and even dressing up as a nun – perhaps inspired by BLACK EMANUELLE Laura Gemser's similar travesty in Giuseppe Vari's SISTER EMANUELLE ? – for the film's unforgettable final scene !