David Hamilton Collection: A Summer In Saint Tropez / Bilitis / Laura (3 Discs)

A triple bill of David Hamilton films.

A Summer in Saint Tropez (1984): David Hamilton creates a new standard in erotic film photography with a lyrical tribute to the grace and beauty of very young women. Hamilton conceives a quiet world in the South of France, where a group beauties abide together in a remote country house. Their hours are passed unselfconsciously with one another - theirs is an idyllic life of innocence and the intimacy of shared moments is lovingly captured by Hamilton's soft frames. A haunting music score paces the gentle rhythms of the days these fauns spend together, far from the constraints of society. Hamilton has been called a 'master of erotic photography' for books such as 'Dreams of a Young Girl', 'Sisters' and his Private Collection. A Summer in Saint Tropez sees Hamilton extending himself into a new art form, creating a modern classic for mature viewers.

Laura (1979): Sculptor Paul meets a former great love again after a long time - but is much more impressed by her 15 years old daughter Laura, who looks now like her mother when Paul was in love with her. Laura likes him very much too, but her jealous mother prevents any further contact. She allows him to make a sculpture of Laura, but only from photos...

Bilitis (1977): The English photographer David Hamilton has achieved unusual visual beauty in making his first motion picture enhanced by the music of Francis Lai. The story based on Pierre Louys' turn-of-the-century novel, deals with a young schoolgirl's awakening to love. It takes place during her summer vacation at the home of a family friend, Melissa. The young girl, Bilitis, is shocked when she witnesses her friend and her husband making love, however Melissa encourages Bilitis to discover the aspect of love by seeing a young photographer, Lucas. When Lucas tries to make love to Bilitis, she rebuffs him and runs to Melissa, who in comforting Bilitis finds herself responding to her kisses and embraces. Melissa tells Bilitis there must be nothing more between them. Bilitis discovers Melissa's husband is with another woman, so she decides to find another man for Melissa. She returns with Nikias, a rich young man who has loved too many too well, and both Melissa and he know they cannot have an affair. In the end Melissa and Lucas become lovers and Bilitis returns to her school realizing she is not yet ready for adulthood.