Tweet
Released by: Scorpion Releasing
Released on: 2/26/2013
Director: Michael Anderson
Cast: Diane Franklin, Roger Wilson, Robert Morley, Jon Gadsby, Robert Helpmann
Year: 1984
Purchase from Amazon
The Movie:
When boredom gets the best of The Prince of Darkness, Lucifer decides to challenge God once again, this time working with a different angle and they make a bet. The Devil (Robert Helpmann) says he can make Adam once again partake in the forbidden fruit, and God (Robert Morley) says nope can't do it. Man will triumph over the temptation. With the (sort of) plot in place, God sends his angel Gabriel (Jon Gadsby) down to Earth to choose an Adam and an Eve worthy of being unknowing pawns in their game of power.
He lands on Earth in a college town right at the time a big 80s-style blowout bash is taking place. Adam (Roger Wilson) is a nerdy sort, not really into the party going on in the house he inhabits. His attention is quickly aroused when Eve (cute little hot babe Diane Franklin), a shy, dorky co-ed enters the room. She takes an immediate interest in Adam as well, and with the two obvious candidates for the trial of the dieties in place, Gabriel sets things in motion. Adam and Eve get plopped right back into the Garden of Eden and from there they jump through time, meeting again in ancient Rome, again in Europe during World War I, again in The Roaring '20s, and finally in a crappy 80s rock n' roll band. Adam is tested at every turn, and Gabriel is right there to remind Adam that when he pops a chubber, stay clear of the broad.
Kind of a dumb movie really, but pretty ambitious for its obvious low budget. The set pieces for the different eras are convincing enough and the New Zealand location footage is nice to look at. The serpent in the Garden is pretty laughable, if you can take your eyes off the naked Eve long enough to pay attention. Acting is mixed, but they look they must have had a good time jumping around and getting to play a variety of types of roles. The attempts at humor are pretty weak, leading to pretty much zero laughs. They try, seeming to rely heavily on flamboyant homosexual characters for the nyucks (including the devil.. Maybe a chuckle or two might sneak out, but mostly its flat on the humor front.
In all honesty, the only reason to look this one up is for the naked glory of Diane Franklin. Those old enough to have been a teenaged boy during the mid-80s when she was the filling the screen will no doubt find immense joy in drinking in her beauty, unblemished by the confines of clothing. Her screen time in The Last American Virgin and Better Off Dead is mere foreplay compared to the time we get to stare at her in this film. The nudity is pretty innocent really, but she's not shy, and if you look carefully enough you can see the carpet matches the drapes. Ms. Franklin, thank you for making this movie.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Sadly, the film is present here not in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1. Instead Scorpion has released this one with a 4:3 full screen ratio and it doesn't look much better than a nice tape would, which is probably the source used for the transfer. Some scenes look better than others, but the video quality's inconsistency is at times a distraction. Minor and expected dirt and damage is visible, more in some spots than others, and the colors are pretty washed out. The audio is right there with the video. Lots of pops, but its serviceable. The dialogue is clear and easily understandable. The disc sports a 2.0 Dolby Digital track.
Extras are good, with an audio commentary topping the offerings courtesy of Diane Franklin and the movie's producer Tony Ginnane. Ms. Franklin keeps the commentary rolling along and engages Tony Ginnane, pulling some good info out of him. Good track. Diane is animated and nice to listen to. Also on the disc are a couple of recent interviews, one with the producer at about eleven minutes, and one with the still hot Diane Franklin lasting about twelve and-a-half minutes. And buy her book. She's got one for sale here. Lastly is a still gallery showcasing photos she supplied.
The Final Word:
An off-beat silly tale that really feels like an upscale nudie cutie more than anything else. It's too bad this little seen flick isn't presented in its original aspect, but the extras are solid and make up for that a little. Diane Franklin admirer? Snag it. Dopey 80s movie fan? Rent it first.
