Blu-ray Release: Barbarella

Today, Paramount Home Entertainment is releasing the 1968 cult classic Barbarella for the first time on Blu-ray.  The film is based on a French comic strip and stars Jane Fonda in the title role as a 41st century astronaut who uses her beauty and sex appeal to find a lost scientist on the Planet Lythion.  Directed by Jane Fonda’s then husband Roger Vadim, there are plenty of scenes where the title character has to use sexual pleasure to vanquish evil.

As a whole, Barbarella is probably most remembered for the steamy opening scene, where Jane Fonda performs an intergalactic striptease with her naked body barely concealed by the credits.  Although the special effects are as cheesy as ever, especially when they come alive on Blu-ray, the film remains a campy and psychedelic curiosity from the late-60s that is worth checking out.

The Blu-ray includes the original theatrical trailer for the film and no other bonus features.

Barbarella is 98 minutes and rated 14A.

-John C.