Watch Justine: The Misfortunes of Virtue

Justine: The Misfortunes of Virtue is a 1978 British drama film directed by Chris Boger and based on the famous novel by the Marquis de Sade. The movie follows the life of a beautiful and naive young woman named Justine, who follows the virtues of her father and tries to live her life with honesty and integrity. However, life is not all fair, and she finds herself constantly beset by misfortunes, abuse, and exploitation.

Set in 1789, the story revolves around Justine, who is orphaned when her father dies, leaving her at the mercy of her evil stepmother, Madame de Lorsange (Katherine Kath). Despite her efforts to cling to her father's values, Justine finds herself torn between her own virtuous nature and the corrupt world around her.

Justine (Koo Stark) sets out on a journey to seek her place in the world amid the turbulent events unfolding during the French revolution, which she hopes will validate her beliefs. However, her innocence is soon corrupted when she falls prey to various people who want to take advantage of her naivete, including her own sister, Juliette (Lydia Lisle). Juliette is a cunning libertine who manipulates Justine into compromising situations and ultimately sells her into prostitution, leading to a series of harrowing events that befall Justine.

As Justine embarks on a journey of self-discovery, she is introduced to various characters who offer her unconditional love and protection, including a Catholic priest, Father Antonin (Martin Potter), who sees in Justine the embodiment of purity and innocence. However, his love for Justine challenges his own faith and brings out the dark desires in him, leading to a series of moral dilemmas.

The movie explores various themes, such as oppression, sexuality, morality, and redemption. Justine's misfortunes serve as an allegory for the human condition, illustrating that the world is not a just and fair place. The movie is shot with excellent visuals, beautiful costumes, and music that transport the viewers to a time and place of brutality and darkness.

The performance of Koo Stark as Justine is outstanding, portraying the character's vulnerability and purity in a realistic and nuanced way. She brings to life the essence of Justine's struggle to maintain her values of nobility, which are challenged by the harsh realities of life.

Martin Potter is equally impressive as Father Antonin, beautifully capturing the essence of a man whose love for God conflicts with his desire for Justine. Lydia Lisle also delivers a convincing performance as Juliette, who represents the forces of darkness that threaten Justine at every turn.

Overall, Justine: The Misfortunes of Virtue is a thought-provoking film that raises important questions about the inherent nature of humanity. It is a classic portrayal of the struggle between good and evil, and the never-ending quest for redemption. The movie is a must-watch for lovers of period dramas and those interested in exploring the human condition.

Justine: The Misfortunes of Virtue is a 1987 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes.