Barbarella (1968)

Dir. Roger Vadim

Review by Emily Clarkson

Barbarella is an extraordinarily well known science-fiction (rather comical) adventure film that was directed by Roger Vadim. The film was screened in 1968, during the later years of a huge social reform where attitudes were changed and the era made its mark in history. The film Barbarella was based on a French comic by Jean-Claude Forest and is about a 41st century astronaut who is sent on a mission to recover a scientist important to the government she works for. The man by the name of Durand-Durand has been missing for a period and is the brains behind a weapon deemed extremely dangerous. In her pursuit to find the scientist, the character of Barbarella, played by actress Jane Fonda repeatedly finds herself peril on a completely unfamiliar planet and utilizes a number of gadgets, costumes (and men) to slip out of trouble and complete her mission. (IMDb, 2012)

The most immediately striking thing about this film (aside from the initial astronaut strip tease creating the introductory title sequence) is the set design and the style of the film. It is an incredible array of materials and outrageous fashion. Each set is completely out of this world, unique in almost every way, taking very little from the real world. Flight scenes through space were portrayed through the cockpit windscreen were a fantastically abstract vision of space, clouds and storms. An oil wheel projector was used to create the trippy, amorphous backgrounds (Kittle, 2012) The illusion was used also in a dream room sequence adding hugely to the backdrop of the sets. (Fig 1) Another key indicator for its time would be the interior design of Barbarellas ship. The walls floor and ceiling are covered in what looks like thick fur carpeting. This was iconic of the interior fashion of the sixties. And where there is not fur, there is a predominant use of plastics; brightlycoloured, transparent for all sorts of things, including beds and costumes.(Fig2) (Fig2: bfi, 2012) (Fig1: Kittle, 2012)

The Barbarella plot is a bizarre one. A little disjointed and almost unit-like at times. With each new set there is a new peril. It mirrors a gaming world; at the end of each level a new boss appears causing trouble. However in this case, at the end of every few scenes, Barbarella finds herself at the mercy of a sexual experience. In the view of one reviewer, The story line is buried under a team of scriptwriters who were clearly trying to outdo each other with naughty situations that Fonda could writhe out of. (Haflidason, 2007) In places the story might seem predictable however there are twists and turns as new characters and species are introduced and scenes open into incredible sets. Some of the enemies ring out as truly bizarre, such as the metal toothed dolls, set to rip Barbarella apart before she is rescued by a fur clad man. And some of the machine inventions are ridiculous enough to prove comical, such as the Excessive Machine (Fig3) A diabolical contraption said to force the victim to orgasm to death. It is definitely not a storyline to be taken seriously.

(Fig 3: bfi, 2012)

It becomes blindingly apparent that the film Barbarella is highly sexualized. Much like many superhero characters in comic books, the heroine has the most impeccable figure. In this film adaption of Barbarella, the production team never miss an opportunity to have each costume of Barbarella wrecked and revealing even more flesh than is already on show. Some of these kinds of scenes appear to comply with Laura Mulveys theory of the Male gaze. In a world ordered by sexual imbalance, pleasure in looking has been split between active/male and passive/female. The determining male gaze projects it phantasy onto the female figure which is styled accordingly (Mulvey, 1975:62) Barbarella is objectified in a fair few scenes of the film, Fonda displaying plenty of semi-nudity on her part. A prime example being (Fig 4) It may make viewing for female audiences slightly awkward. However in contrast there are moments where the film references the cultural reform; specifically the empowering of women by the invention of contraceptives and more freedom within relationships and marriage.

(Fig 4: bfi, 2012)

On Barbarellas adventures, she finds herself bartering for information and favours through different sex acts; being educated in the traditional method, but also experiencing one via a drug, subtly named the pill referencing clearly to recent contraceptive. The result of this pill was a sexual experience without involving any physical contact other than palm to palm contact. (Fig5) The frequentness of Barbarella engaging in sexual activities almost mirrors the swinging public attitude towards sex at the time and how it was becoming more acceptable within society. Although in some cases, it seems the film is almost making fun of the situation. There are a great many costume changes throughout the film production, each more outlandish than the last and completely in keeping with the outrageous storyline. They provide an interesting look to the fashion of the time. Most costumes are asymmetric and a mix of materials such as plastics, metals, furs and so on. They provide interesting viewing and a very open approach to dress. It may be at this point that female audiences find a part of the film to latch onto. (Fig6)

(Fig5: bfi, 2012)

(Fig6: bfi, 2012)

In conclusion, the film Barbarella is unique, providing current audiences with immense entertainment with such outrageous stories, costumes and sometimes behaviour. There will be occasions in which laughing out loud will be inevitable, it isnt a story men to be taken too seriously. Barbarella is a film that records its cultural history in detail with no subtleties what so ever. The bright colours and the incredibly varied set designs provide visual indulgence, however the plotline itself leaves something to be desired. Bibliography Haflidason, A (2007) Movies: Barbarella (1968) http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/09/29/barbarella_review.shtml (22/10/2012) Hodgson, M (2008) Barbarella (1968) the Ultimate Guide- Part1: Review and Overview http://blackholereviews.blogspot.co.uk/2008/12/barbarella-1968-40th-anniversary.html (22/10/2012) IMDb (212) Barbarella http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062711/ (22/10/2012)

Kittle, A (2012) 366 Weird Movies: 122. Barbarella (1968) http://366weirdmovies.com/122-barbarella-1968/ (22/10/2012)

Mulvey, L (1975) Visual Pleasure and narrative in Cinema http://www.asu.edu/courses/fms504/total-readings/mulvey-visualpleasure.pdf (22/10/2012)

Schmoop University (2012) Culture in the 1960s: Looking at the Past Through the Lens of Culture http://www.shmoop.com/1960s/culture.html (22/10/2012) Bibliography-Image Rerference IMDb 92012) Barbarella (1968) http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1328066816/tt0062711 (22/10/2012) Kittle, A (2012) 366 Weird Movies: 122. Barbarella (1968) http://366weirdmovies.com/122-barbarella-1968/ (22/10/2012)