Scyla (1967)

 

These sixties Nick Millard films are all alike: dreamy B&W imagery following a detached chick around while a narrator recites pretentious prose.  They're not bad (actually often quite good), but it is remarkable how often Millard recycled this formula.  It's genius really: an otherwise cheap-o sex flick, barely a rung higher than a stag film, is given a stylish Euro veneer, making it seem artsy and cool.

This is Scyla Dane (Cathy Adams) who sits on a beach looking very introspective.  This is actually Adams' first credited film.

Gregory finds her on the beach and is instantly in love and obsessed with her.

He goes to her house and spies on her through the window.

Gregory is dismayed to find Scyla has another man.

Scyla notices Gregory at the window, watching them like a goddamn maniac.

She closes the curtains.

Dear god the pretentious try-hard prose that makes up this narration is unbearable.  Just to watch them eat drumsticks, we have to endure this narration: "Everything about her is so beautiful. So touchable. So thrilling. The food is delectable. The conversation quiet. The river flows so pleasantly, but not as warmly as our love."  It doesn't even make fucking sense.

Gregory goes to visit a witch named Circe who maybe can cast a spell or make a potion or some shit to make Scyla love him.

But Circe wants Gregory herself.  She takes off her clothes.

Circe summons a nymph from the netherworld (Antoinette Maynard)

Narrator: "Another yet bewitched trick. A thing. A happening of the swirling, dizzying vague cosmos that is the netherworld." Oh, brother.

Circe and the nymph go to town on Gregory.

The nymph points her crotch at Gregory and thrusts.

Meanwhile, Scyla is just going about her day.

Circe concocts a special potion for Scyla.  It will act as an aphrodisiac... and also turn her ugly!

Scyla drinks up.

First, she becomes unbelievably horny, performing felatio on a candle.

Then doing other things with said candle.

Then, Scyla passes out.

"Soon you'll wake, and you'll touch me, Scyla.  And each time you do, the potion that I've spread over us, and the one you drunk, will change you.  Change you Scyla into something you've never been before."

Scyla awakens and becomes tortured with pain, slowing turning into....

This!

As mentioned, the narration is unbearable.  But I fell for Millard's psuedo-arthouse shellac which he disguises his stag films. Cathy Adams wasn't in film long, but she's always a compelling presence, and a stone cold fox. 

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆5/10