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After finishing his studies in Switzerland, the shy and innocent Stefano (Jacques Perrin, Girl with a Suitcase) decides to become a priest. His father, Leonardo (Alain Cuny, La dolce vita), a rich publishing magnate, disapproves: he wants his son to take over his empire someday. When he invites Stefano on a yacht trip together with his mistress (Rosanna Schiaffino), Leonardo’s intention is not to reconcile with his son... Pleasure under the burning sun takes on sinister undertones in this haunting tale of a cruel father determined to tempt his son into relinquishing his spiritual ambitions. With ice-cold New Wave stylings and sharp dialogue, director Mauro Bolognini (Il bell’Antonio, The Big Night) crafts an unsparing critique of Italy’s nascent consumerist society.

BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION SPECIAL FEATURES

2K restoration
Uncompressed mono PCM audio
New interview with critic and programmer Adrian Wootton (2026)
Archival interview with producers Alfredo Bini and Manolo Bolognini
Newly improved English subtitle translation
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow
Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by film scholar Marco Natoli
Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

Year: 1963
Country: Italy
Cert: TBC
Format: Blu-ray
Region: AB
RAD195BDLE
EAN: 5060974683871
Release date: 14/09/26

Not had the pleasure of viewing my old Italian DVD of this, so excited to upgrade first.

Surprised they went for this before La viaccia given their love of Cardinale. Looking forward to this one though!

Seems a bit light on supplements for a film less than 90 minutes long, but I'm definitely glad it's being released. One of several films, along with Contempt and Blood and Black Lace, filmed at Rome's distinctive Casale di Santa Maria Nova.

This is pretty easy to find on the biggest streaming site in the world and I’m sorry to report that it’s not much of anything. Rich dad basically hires a hot chick to sleep with his wannabe priest son on vacation and the son

Spoiler

after doing the deed and returning to feel horrible about it, breaks down and accepts the baseness of the world by watching a bunch of young people line dancing in what must be the squarest ending ever shot.

If the thing had any style, I’d be more forgiving, but the formal beauty you typically find in Italian films of this era (like Radiance’s other Perrin-starring flick, The Girl with the Suitcase) is not to be found. It’s all pretty basic, though I did like how the discreet seduction scene was shot.

Cancel the Blu-ray, Fran.

I'd like some mauro baloney-ni, amirite?

I'm sure Fran can live with Aspect not liking this film. I mean, Domino and I have been pretty down on many of the French films in Radiance's lineup but we didn't take issue with others having opposite opinions.