Emmanuelle is the lead character in a series of French softcore erotic movies based on a character created by Emmanuelle Arsan in the novel Emmanuelle (1959). Only films and episodes produced by ASP films are official and based on Arsan's character.
The name Emmanuelle (and its various spelling permutations) has gone on to become synonymous with erotic film.
Emmanuelle 1 - Opening & closing theme
The character first appeared in a movie called Io, Emmanuelle in 1969 and was played by Erika Blanc. The character was recreated in Emmanuelle in 1974, played by Sylvia Kristel, who is probably the actress best identified with the role. This film pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable on screen at the time, with its sex scenes, as well as scenes involving rape, masturbation, the "Mile High Club", and a noted scene in which a dancer is shown inserting a cigarette into her vagina. Unlike many films that tried to avoid an X-rating, the first Emmanuelle film embraced it, and became a huge international success with a viewing audience to date estimated at over 300 million viewers worldwide[1]. It remains one of France's most successful films, and reportedly played in some theatres there for years.
Several sequels starring Kristel followed, beginning with Emmanuelle 2 which is also known as Emmanuelle: The Joys of a Woman in its US release, and also Emmanuelle L’antivierge in some European press materials, including the soundtrack LP and CD.
Kristel stepped away from the role briefly in the 1980s, yielding to younger actresses, but returned for the 7th feature film, and continued to make cameo appearances as an older Emmanuelle in a number of cable TV films. She also appeared in a number of films that either capitalized upon or parodied her Emmanuelle image, such as the American sex comedy Private Lessons.
None of the actresses who went on to play Emmanuelle would go on to become as successful. One of the better-known actresses to take the part in the 1980s (which, in some parts of Europe, was considered as coveted as James Bond) was American b-movie actress Monique Gabrielle.
After the last official Emmanuelle theatrical feature film, Emmanuelle au 7ème ciel, ASP took Arsan's character to made-for-cable outings instead. These included a science fiction series in the 1990s called Emmanuelle in Space starring American actress/model Krista Allen in one of her first major roles. More recently, Emmanuelle: The Private Collection introduced Natasja Vermeer in the lead role for another slew of video episodes.
/>French distribution company Studio Canal has recently acquired home video rights for a number of the Emmanuelle movies, and has been releasing remastered DVD editions of the films in several markets.
In a number of press releases, ASP vowed their next project, Emmanuelle Tango would be a return to theatrical distribution for the franchise.
- Emmanuelle (1974)
- Emmanuelle 2 (1975)
- Good-bye, Emmanuelle (1977)
- Emmanuelle 4 (1984)
- Emmanuelle 5 (1986)
- Emmanuelle 6 (1988)
- Emmanuelle au 7ème ciel (1993)
- Emmanuelle's Secret (1992)
- Emmanuelle's Revenge (1992)
- Emmanuelle's Perfume (1992)
- Emmanuelle's Magic (1992)
- Emmanuelle's Love (1993)
- Emmanuelle in Venice (1993)
- Emmanuelle Forever (1993)
- Emmanuelle 1: First Contact (1996)
- Emmanuelle 2: A World of Desire (1996)
- Emmanuelle 3: A Lesson in Love (1996)
- Emmanuelle 4: Concealed Fantasy (1996)
- Emmanuelle 5: A Time to Dream (1996)
- Emmanuelle 6: One Final Fling (1996)
- Emmanuelle 7: The Meaning of Love (1996)
- Emmanuelle 2000: Being Emmanuelle (2000)
- Emmanuelle 2000: Emmanuelle and the Art of Love (2000)
- Emmanuelle 2000: Emmanuelle in Paradise (2000)
- Emmanuelle 2000: Jewel of Emmanuelle (2000)
- Emmanuelle 2000: Intimate Encounters (2000)
- Emmanuelle 2000: Emmanuelle's Sensual Pleasure (2000)
- The Joys of Emmanuelle, Parts 1-3 (2001)
- Emmanuelle 2000 (2001)
- Emmanuelle in Rio (2003)
- Emmanuelle Private Collection: Emmanuelle vs. Dracula (2004)
- Emmanuelle Tango (2006)
SoundtracksAnother important facet of the Emmanuelle films is the music. The soundtrack albums went on to become huge successes in their own right, the themes becoming as well-known as the films in some regions.
- Emmanuelle (1974), France. Barclay 80545, LP. Music by Pierre Bachelet.
- Emmanuelle 2 (1975), France. Wip Records 863 002, LP. Music by Francis Lai.
- Goodbye Emmanuelle (1977), Japan. Philips FDX-334, LP. Music by Serge Gainsbourg.
- Emmanuelle 4 (1984), France. Carrere 66084, LP. Music by Michel Magne.
- Emmanuelle 5 (1986), France. Music by Pierre Bachelet. Never released on LP or CD.
- Emmanuelle 6 (1988), France. Music by Olivier Day. Never released on LP or CD.
- Emmanuelle au 7ème ciel (1992), France. Music by Pierre Bachelet. Never released on LP or CD.
