This is a religious" drama that was a landmark exploitation release in the US. The dialogue-free film is narrated (in Spanish in the version I watched) with passages from Genesis as we see nature footage representing the creation of the world. Eventually Adam (Carlos Baena) appears. He wanders around Eden, which consists of a very small pond and some poorly laid out greenery, and plays with the animals, including a deer and some lion cubs. He gets bored, though, so God rips out one of Adam's own ribs for him to play with. It helps that the rib takes the form of Eve (Christiane Martel). The two then wander around the Eden set, smiling and walking, and occasionally sitting. Eve notices an apple hanging in a tree, and although Adam (and God) say DO NOT TOUCH, we all know what happens next. They end up in the desert wearing over-sized fig-leaf loin-clothes, starving until Adam manages to strangle a wild dog. Then there's an earthquake. Thanks a lot, Eve!
The Catholic League of Decency was always quick to condemn any displays of nudity in film. However, American exhibitor David F. Friedman convinced them that the near-nudity in this film was acceptable due to the film's religious nature. The League agreed, and therefore this film played more widely than nearly any other film up to that time featuring "nudity". The skin on display will seem tame to most viewers today, as Eve's hair is always positioned to maintain modesty, and conveniently placed foliage hides both of their nether regions (as well as noticeable flesh-colored G-strings). However, there's far more flesh on display than in any other movie at the time, guaranteeing a healthy box-office and a continued exhibition of the film into the mid 1960's! Despite the shoddy production values and turgid direction, this movie remains an interesting and amusing relic from a simpler time, and a must-see for exploitation-film historians.
The Catholic League of Decency was always quick to condemn any displays of nudity in film. However, American exhibitor David F. Friedman convinced them that the near-nudity in this film was acceptable due to the film's religious nature. The League agreed, and therefore this film played more widely than nearly any other film up to that time featuring "nudity". The skin on display will seem tame to most viewers today, as Eve's hair is always positioned to maintain modesty, and conveniently placed foliage hides both of their nether regions (as well as noticeable flesh-colored G-strings). However, there's far more flesh on display than in any other movie at the time, guaranteeing a healthy box-office and a continued exhibition of the film into the mid 1960's! Despite the shoddy production values and turgid direction, this movie remains an interesting and amusing relic from a simpler time, and a must-see for exploitation-film historians.
