British Swinging 60′s Fun

Posted on Aug 13, 2010

Love Is A Splended Illusion (1969)

Directed By: Tom Clegg

Review Written By: Ken Knight
Mondo Film & Video Guide Feature Contributor

IMDb.com Link

“Cherri-oh…oh…oh…oh!”

This British “adult” film that gave itself an X-rating in British and US theaters back in 1970 is nowadays a very softcore romp showing minimal skin where the actresses took great pains to cover their breasts and booties during the sex scenes sprinkled throughout this funny story of a London Businessman whose lovely wife has no clue he’s cheating on her with a lovely mistress though his wife is banging another man behind his back as well, and life in London is just “cherri-oh-oh-oh-oh!” until the couple goes on vacation and discover their affairs are compromised….then they just seem to accept the fact they’re cheaters and go on with their lives.

For it’s day, this film was very “adults only” because it preceded American X-rated pioneers such as Behind The Green Door and Deep Throat, but now it is a film that could be shown on regular TV because there is little real nude-exposure throughout and even the sex is covered by sheets and blankets as well as innuendo. In short, this movie is a shining example of the early days of adults-only filmmaking, and a funny and vibrant “British” comedy which has a fan base worldwide because of the flavor the Brits add to their brand of filmmaking. The Actresses in this film such as Lisa Collings are….in a word….HAWT! and they have the stereotypical Brit-girl sauciness I like, though the late 1960′s hairstyles are something to laugh at as well. Delegated to “Grindhouse” theaters back in the early 70′s this flick would have been, and very tame today even by R-rated film standards, it’s a saucy film to enjoy for it’s “yesteryear” quality and Brit humor as well as the gals you don’t get to see totally-nude…..I give LOVE IS A SPENDID ILLUSION a thumbs-up while I sip tea in bed with busty British chicks.

Ken Knight is the author of the 2008 book, The Midnight Show – Guy Flicks of the 80′s.   In July 2010, Ken released a new novel about Zombies, called Dirge.  You can email him directly at kenknight@mondo-video.com