DVD Review: The Statue (1970)

I think it's fair to say that Britain's censorship laws up 'til the 1980s (and some would argue beyond) have been significantly tighter than the rest of Europe. Which meant, for many years, we had films that were suggestive and saucy, but never overstepped the legal line. Films like The Statue.

It's a film about a man's manhood. Not unusual, at the time (Percy trod similar ground in the same year). But in 2010? Well, it just seems a bit childish. Anyway, the 'Percy' in question here belongs to Professor Alex Bolt (David Niven). He's created a universal language and for his troubles, got himself a Nobel Prize. Not only that, a large nude statue of him is going up in Grosvenor Square, organised by an ambitious US diplomat called Ray (Robert Vaughn) and paid for by the US government. What could go wrong?

Well, the 18-ft nude is being created by Alex's Italian wife (and noted sculptor) Rhonda Bolt (Virna Lisi). But there's a twist. As he's neglected her for years to do his work, she has boosted the size of his manhood, telling Alex he (obviously) wasn't the model for it - 'Charlie' was.

Alex feels cheated on - and heads off on a mission to find 'Charlie', putting himself in various compromising situations as he tries to catch a look at the parts of all the male visitors to his wife in the past few weeks. Oh yes - Ray the diplomat is worried too. He's tied in, so doesn't want the man behind the language project to get a bad reputation. With that in mind, he throws the weight of the US secret service behind the hunt.

So where does Alex look? Well, there's a Turkish baths, a nude rock opera, a boat-load of art critics, various customs desks and doctor's surgeries, stately homes, Parisian toilets...you get the idea. Often with 'amusing' consequences. Although the real 'Charlie' isn't quite where you'd expect to find it in the end.

A good film then? Well, to be honest, more of an average film. A top-notch cast on show, the likes of John Cleese and Graham Chapman popping up in the supporting list too, while the scenery is pretty spectacular, as are some of the 70s-style interiors. The odd bit of late 60s psych on the soundtrack too, which is always nice to hear.

But the plot just doesn't stand up (if you'll allow the pun). It's not as funny as it wants to be, certainly not as interesting as you would hope. It was originally a stage farce and you'd imagine it working more in that context than on the big screen with a fairly hefty budget.

Saying that, The Statue still has its period charm and if you like this kind of early '70s sauce, it might be one to add to your rental list for a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Find out more about the DVD at the Amazon website