Marquis de Sade (1996) Poster

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4/10
Boring, bad cinematography and not very good actors
NewCartesian23 July 2003
This movie is not very bad tjough. But one cannot find anything new about the personality of Marquis de Sade from this movie. The movie tries to stay on the borderline between erotic and insightful and it cannot succeed at either. The cinematography is really bad (straigh-to video quality)
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3/10
Moves so slow even in 92 minutes it never goes anywhere
Musicianmagic14 December 2018
First this movie claims "Based on the true story of the notorious Marquis de Sade." but in fact is pure fiction. Do not expect any historical accuracies. While Nick Mancuso looks like he had a fun time playing the role of the Marquis, much of the cast could have used acting lessons before filming began. Still, there was not much of a role for Mr. Mancuso to play anyway. The story attempts to build but never gets off the ground. The final scene that it does build to is a complete let down. After 92 minutes I felt cheated. The only thing left for some people to watch is for a few glimpses of bare breasts, usually very brief and in dark rooms. I am just glad this movie is over and I can watch something interesting like paint drying on the wall.
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hilarious!!
skyhowl5 May 2005
This is 1 of the funniest movies i have ever seen! Ilike period movies particularly erotic periods pieces set in old world France.So i was thrilled to get a chance to see marquise de sade on cable late 1 night. I thought it might be a serious very dark look into the marquise world.Instead i was treated to a funny almost "feel good" movie.It was was playful filled with lots of eye candy, and perfectly cast.Janet gun has that unique combination of sex appeal and warmth, which is probably why she's 1 of my favorite actresses.What is wrong with Hollywood?This woman should be a big star but instead she relegated to roles in b movies.Nick Mancuso is pretty much in the same boat,he always delivers.Man did he deliver on this...his portrayal of the the marquise was so outrageous it was almost over the top...i laughed until i was sick..every other line in this one was a howler! This movie actually made the depraved aristocrat a likable guy! Yes it was low budget(real low) but it was worth every one of it's 90 minutes.Great movie...really fun!
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2/10
This will be a night to tell your illegitimate grandsons about, my friends.
lastliberal24 August 2007
I really don't know much about the Marquis de Sade, not having read any of his book, but I never imagined him as a flaming queen. Carson Kressley of Queer Eye For the Straight Guy, or Jack from Will and Grace would have fit easily into the role that Nick Mancuso gave us.

The movie itself was rather thin and seemed more of a parody - or an excuse to show the Paris whorehouse several times with men and women having a good time on the couches in the parlor. What? They can't afford a room? I did find it cute that the Madame (Irina Malysheva) felt she was doing her patriotic duty taking care of the soldier's needs.

The movie was just an excuse to show a lot of breasts - and I mean a lot! Fans of Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) might be interested in seeing him in a different role as Inspector Marais.
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1/10
Beautiful women, but utter junk
donyob21 August 2007
The revisionist history -- making the evil Marquis de Sade a semi-heroic romantic -- is mind-boggling enough. But the atrocious acting, amateurish cinematography and terrible dubbing make this film achingly bad. The only reason to keep watching is that almost all the women in the film are gorgeous. And, amazingly, being tortured for days, with hands bound overhead, apparently doesn't detract from a woman's beauty, hairstyle and makeup. My guess is that the producers filmed mostly in Russia, choosing women for their looks -- and willingness to work cheap -- rather than acting ability. If you decide to watch this because you have nothing better to do, or are a film student looking for bad examples, fast-forward through every scene not involving nudity.
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10/10
Intellectual pornography
Sepia-313 June 1999
This role may be one of Nick Mancuso's best. He finally seems as though the character fits into his skin, and his lines are not forced or hazy in any way. The script leaves little to be desired in the way of a plot and dialogue, truly. It isn't historically accurate, but that isn't the point. For a movie with an X-rating, it struck me as suprisingly witty and deep at some times. If you can find it, it's a good way to spend an evening.
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10/10
Insightful, funny, dark look at the marquis
directjw3 March 1999
I was pleasantly surprised by this film. . . it's actually an insightful film about the influences and the character of the Marquis De Sade. Dark Prince examines both the Marquis himself, and the social milieu in which he lived (France during the French Revolution). What Dark Prince reveals is that the real monster during this dark period of French history was not the Marquis himself, but the forces which fought to silence him, i.e. the aristocracy and its supporting forces (the courts and other institutions of the law). I hope I don't make this film sound too dry and analytical, cause it's quite an entertaining, albeit dark and sometimes disturbing, look at the life of the Marquis De Sade. After watching this film, you won't look at the Marquis De Sade in the same light again.
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9/10
Marquis De Sade was really a good guy!
sgcim4 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This movie presented De Sade as a heck of a good guy. Hell, I feel like giving him a ring and asking him over for beer and chips. He had a great sense of humor, was a committed artist, hated censorship, and even saved a woman's life while risking his own, by blowing away a few guys with a gun! Although this runs counter to everything I've ever read or heard about him, you'll have a great time watching the Marquis torture and humiliate a few great looking women (who eventually fall in love with him, of course,)crack a bunch of great jokes, and be just an all-around great guy as he makes his mark in history in the France of that time period.
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just plain funny
hellraiser4015 June 2002
quoted as an erotic drama, i found this actually a funny film. i don't doubt it has some sort of unraveling about this famous character in history, but Nick Mancuso acts in such a way that you just can't stop to gniffle and smile. sorry to say to the people who think this is acted seriously, but he reminded me of a 18th century Al Bundy!!!

but therefore this film is guaranteed to have you hooked for it's time.
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Marquis de Doodoo
seanzo6 May 2000
This film presents a wildly inaccurate portrayal of the historical De Sade ( - even getting his name wrong ...Donatien Aldonse, not Donatien Alphonse, is the man's correct name.) And it is a shame as De Sade is a richly complex character who, when honestly examined, illuminates a time of great change in france's opinions of madness, justice, priviledge and morality. This film-maker's treatment of history resemble's that of Winston's in the correction room at the ministry of truth in Orwell's 1984. This film approches the nadir of the continuing misunderstanding of genius right along side Mickey Rourkes portrayal of Charles Bukowski as Snagglepuss the Effeminant Beatnik Lion in the otherwise enjoyable movie, Barfly. All that aside, the film does serve as an occasion for some arousing nude photography and the depiction of erotic scenes of humiliation and torture. The women used for the elegant opening credit sequence are voluptous and beautifully depicted and certainly worth the price of a rental.
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