Written by: Michael Den Boer on May 24th, 2010
Theatrical Release Date: UK, 1971
Director: Rod Amateau
Writer: Denis Norden
Cast: David Niven, Virna Lisi, Robert Vaughn, Ann Bell, John Cleese, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Hugh Burden, Erik Chitty, Derek Francis, Susan Travers, Desmond Walter-Ellis, David Allister
DVD released: May 18th, 2010
Approximate running time: 90 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: R
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
DVD Release: Code Red
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $19.98
Synopsis: A linguist who creates a universal language wins the Noble peace price. A U.S. diplomat commissions a statue in honor of him winning the Nobel peace prize. The linguist’s wife well known artist is hired to make the statue. When the linguist’s wife unveils her creation. A eighteen foot statue of her husband that also happens to have a large phallus. He tries to convince her that the statue is obscene. Things become further complicated when she reveals that the large phallus on the statue belongs to a model and not her husband. In a jealous rage the linguist frantically searches for the model who genitals resemble the large phallus.
The Statue was directed by Rod Amateau, who’s diverse filmography includes Where Does It Hurt?, Hitler’s Son and The Garbage Pail Kids Movie. The screenplay for The Statue was adapted from a play written by Alec Coppel, a British screenwriter who’s notable screenwriting credits include Obsession (which was adapted from his novel ‘A Man About A Dog’), The Captain’s Paradise (which was nominated for a Oscar) and Vertigo. The score for The Statue was composed by Riz Ortolani, who’s other notable scores include Mondo Cane, One on Top of the Other, Seven Blood-Stained Orchids, Cannibal Holocaust and House on the Edge of the Park.
After a brief set up which introduces the linguist character. Things quickly liven up once the statue which his wife had made finally appears on screen. Even though there really is not much to the story at hand. Outside a series a comedic set pieces which mostly revolve around the linguist character. The story never drags as it moves briskly from one zany situation to the next. Some of the crazy situations that the linguist character finds himself in include taking photos of his own genitals in a photo booth while two young lovers look on, looking at other men’s genitals at a variety of locations like Turkish bath, a hip night club and tracking down a man who now resides at a monastery.
Headlining this madcap affair is David Niven (The Pink Panther) in the role of the linguist. His comedic timing flawlessly drives home this film’s offbeat humor. The film features a strong supporting cast which includes Virna Lisi (Casanova ’70) in the role of the linguists wife, Robert Vaughn (The Man from U.N.C.L.E.) in the role of the U.S. diplomat and John Cleese (Monty Python’s Flying Circus) in the role of a psychiatrist who works in advertising. Overall The Statue is a mildly amusing comedy that milks its one ‘joke’ for all it’s worth.
The DVD:
Code Red presents The Statue is an anamorphic widescreen that preserves the film’s original aspect ratio. The film opens with a disclaimer explaining that the only usable elements for this transfer was a theatrical release print. Quality wise the transfer is in pretty good shape with some instances of print debris. Colors look nicely saturated and flesh tones look healthy. Black levels all look good and details look crisp throughout.
This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital mono English. The audio sounds clear and balanced throughout.
Extras for this release include a trailer for the film (2 minutes 27 seconds – anamorphic widescreen). Also included with this release are trailers for Family Honor, a Long Ride From Hell, Changes, Rivals, Stigma, Derby, Choke Canyon, The Visitor and The Black Gestapo. Overall The Statue gets a strong audio / video presentation from Code Red.