De Sade (1969)

In the intricate tapestry of time, the film "De Sade" artfully weaves together the tumultuous life of the infamous Marquis De Sade. Born around 1740, De Sade's existence was a series of stinging contrasts, his life a play staged in the grand theaters of prison cells and insane asylums, where he spent two decades of his life. The film unfolds like a jigsaw puzzle, piecing together fragments of De Sade's life in a non-linear narrative. It delves into episodes of his childhood, adulthood, marriage, and eventual imprisonment, each scene painted with the vibrant hues of dreams, reminiscences, theatrical performances, and hallucinations, blurring the line between reality and illusion. The narrative is punctuated by the relentless pursuit of De Sade by the authorities - an ever-present specter that hounds him until his inevitable capture. The once handsome Marquis, with his fiery writings and insatiable eroticism, often finds refuge in an abandoned family mansion, teetering on the edge of society, much like the man himself. De Sade's life, a maelstrom of controversy and scandal, is laid bare in the film. It explores his experiences with the Catholic clergy, his unruly criminal history, his arranged marriage, and his prolific literary career marked by provocative plays, scandalous stories, and novels brimming with obscenity. The film also delves into the shadowy alleys of his debauched orgies, and his eventual committal to Charenton asylum for the insane, a bleak aftermath of the French Revolution. "De Sade" is a colorful, unflinching portrayal of a man constantly seeking a love that eludes him, going from woman to woman in an endless quest for fulfillment. His life - a dance with the devil until his final bow in the twilight of death. The film is a vivid narrative of this infamous character, unraveling the enigma of De Sade, one intriguing episode at a time.

De Sade is a drama movie featuring Keir Dullea and directed by Cy Endfield.

De Sade is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, MGM Plus Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel and fuboTV.

It is also possible to buy De Sade on Amazon Video and Apple TV.