The Infidel (1975) watch online HD

New DVD release from Alpha Blue Archives stars hardcore porn favorites Sharon Thorpe, Ken Scudder and Ric Lutze in a romantic triangle but is oddly soft-core action all the way. It seems strange for a mid-1970s release, so perhaps an alternate XXX version was also shot.

With classical music helping to set a romantic, often wistful mood, Thorpe stars as an abused housewife named Beverly, who at one point accuses her loathsome hubby Ron (Lutze): "You raped me, every time!" So it isn't surprising when she takes up with hunky sportswriter Ray (fellow Frisco-based star Ken Scudder) and they have an affair.

She spends her free time with gal pal Arlene (unidentified actress, who looks a lot like Thorpe), but it is the romance with Ray that is emphasized. Director Charles Bodine uses an elaborate wall-mounted bookcase Ron is building to chart the relationship symbolically, and the film ends on a very sentimental note, especially for porn.

I admired the acting and serious tone of this all-but-forgotten movie, and would be curious to learn more about its history. ABA lists an alternate title WIFE-HUSBAND-LOVER which in its crass on-the-nose nature suggests the film was sold as exploitation rather than an indie romance for the burgeoning couples audience of the time.