The 1960's was a decade of change and experimentation. One such film that was created to blow your senses and your imagination out of the water was Barbarella (1968).
Starring Jane Fonda and directed by Roger Vadim and set in the distant future. Barbarella is asked to seek out Doctor Durand Durand (the 1980's band named themselves after this character but spelled it Duran Duran) who has in his possession a weapon called a Positronic Ray. Earth is now peaceful and the President of Earth asks Barbarella to protect the peace that is in existence by retrieving that weapon.
Barbarella encounters all sorts of odd folk on her journey (or adventure) to finding Durand Durand (Milo O'Shea). A man who is wearing what looks like a body of hair outfit, dolls who have sharp teeth (they are freaky), wild children, a blind (and beautiful) angel named Pygar, a resistance fighter named Dildano, the Queen of Sogo, and eventually Durand Durand himself.
All throughout her wild adventures and misadventures Barbarella goes through outfit change after outfit change that would make any fashion designer just fall at her feet in awe. They are insane and amazing and sexy and well-see for yourself! Barbarella is one of those rare films that also portrays a female lead as the hero. I also love how Fonda blends a believable amount of innocence and maturity into her character. There is a "no holds barred" approach to the sexual innuendos of this film but I attest that to the "free love" attitude of the late 1960s (and well into the 1970s). I view this film as a piece of psychedelic art. It trips you out and takes you to another world. Just like any good 1960's sci-fi film should do.
If you like campy, unique, and quirky films with a dash of sci-fi then you will love this film. I know a few people think I am bonkers for loving this film but I do-I so do! It is just so out-of-this-world, so psychedelic that it blows me away every time I see it. There is no other film quite like this and Jane Fonda just sizzling as Barbarella-no one can deny that.
If you are interested in looking at more photo's from this film feel free to pop over to my Pinterest page and check out my Barbarella board HERE. Have you seen Barbarella yet? If so, what did you think of it?
Iv enever seen this, wish I should be ashamed to admit as a vintage nut and a sci fi nerd, I need to check it out
ReplyDeleteretro rover
Though it's not my favourite 60s movie by any stretch, for a fun, silly, totally campy watch, it's worth seeing at least once.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
Barbarella is such an insane movie but it is fun. I think it's interesting that in this version of the future, they've done away with all that messy, sweaty groping that is sex and made it so that you can take a tablet and hold you hand up to a person. Barbarella broke the orgasm machine because she probably needed it!
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