Oasis of Fear (1971) - Blu-ray Review

      Oasis of Fear, 1971.

      Directed by Umberto Lenzi.

      Starring Irene Papas, Ray Lovelock, Ornella Muti, Michel Bardinet, Antonio Mellino.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A couple in pursuit of fun travels through Europe by selling pornography, ultimately arriving at the villa of an enigmatic woman.

      Was it common to sell explicit photos to support travel costs? Apparently, in 1971, it was for Dick Butler (Ray Lovelock) and his girlfriend Ingrid (Ornella Muti), as they traverse Italy, first pedaling pornographic magazines and then peddling nude pictures of Ingrid to various dubious and desperate men. Along the way, they encounter some shady characters who reappear later for no particular reason.

      "Oasis of Fear" is an Italian erotic thriller from the early 1970s, so it’s advisable to temper your logical expectations. Viewed through a modern lens, it raises many questions—some likely more pertinent than those posed by the film's police characters.

      Why do the police come into play? It’s because Dick and Ingrid's escapades lead them to the villa of Barbara Slesar (Irene Papas), the wife of a NATO colonel, who is evidently troubled. After initially sending the young couple away, she invites them to stay, possibly to engage in some unconventional sexual activities. However, when she attempts to seduce Dick and provoke Ingrid’s jealousy, the situation takes a darker turn, revealing that Barbara’s intentions for keeping them around may extend beyond mere entertainment.

      The plot of "Oasis of Fear" is a familiar one for seasoned genre fans, with some minor tweaks, but fundamentally, it involves strangers in a house where control shifts among characters, making for an entertaining scenario. Surprisingly, while it’s an Italian film from that era, "Oasis of Fear" doesn’t entirely follow expected paths, teasing viewers with brief glimpses of nudity without fully crossing into softcore territory.

      Director Umberto Lenzi faced challenges since both leading actresses declined to perform nude scenes. At the time, Ornella Muti was only 16 and accompanied by her mother, while Irene Papas, an accomplished actress, rejected the nude scenes before filming commenced. Consequently, the same body double was used for both women in those scenes, requiring some inventive camerawork to disguise this for overly attentive viewers.

      All three leads deliver strong performances, with Ray Lovelock seeming to relish his role—despite Dick largely living up to his name—while Ornella Muti demonstrates her notable presence at a young age. Irene Papas adds considerable weight to the film with her experience and screen presence. She appears aware of the film's nature, seemingly just collecting a paycheck, yet she remains undeniably captivating on screen. Her interactions with Ornella Muti are charged with energy, animating the characters beyond what’s present in the script.

      However, the sexual politics and power dynamics that may have felt bold in 1971 don't carry the same impact today. By 2025, "Oasis of Fear" can seem somewhat stilted and formulaic in its execution. Though there’s a mystery regarding Barbara's true intentions, the script reveals too much too soon, causing the final act to drag and feel somewhat chaotic, ultimately diminishing the earlier sexual tension and leading to an anticlimactic conclusion.

      Nevertheless, "Oasis of Fear" possesses its own appeal, and this beautifully presented Blu-ray vibrantly showcases the stylish Italian settings and fashions. It also includes interviews with director Umberto Lenzi and star Ornella Muti, providing valuable insights into a 16-year-old's entry into the film industry. In terms of its standing within crime/giallo cinema, "Oasis of Fear" may not rank highly, but if you’re looking for a reasonably entertaining 90 minutes in classic Italian style, it offers a decent experience.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Chris Ward

      About Gary Collinson: Gary Collinson is a producer and writer in film, television, and digital content. He founded the pop culture website Flickering Myth and produced the gothic horror feature film "The Baby in the Basket" as well as the upcoming suspense thriller "Death Among the Pines."